Chocolate for skin care?

Chocolate helps the soul, but not with skin diseases

25/02/2011

Chocolate in wellness products are very trendy. Cosmetic manufacturers use the positive reputation of chocolate for the marketing of their products. The best known are so-called „Hot Chocolate baths“ or facial masks that promise to be soothing to the skin. The dermatologist Prof. Hans Meffert is skeptical about the marketing strategies of the manufacturers. The ingredients and applications are soothing to the soul, but the effect on the skin is rather low, according to the expert. With care products, users can heal with no skin diseases.

Chocolate as an elixir of life
Chocolate has always been considered a true elixir of life. Numerous scientific studies have now been able to prove that the phytochemicals of the cocoa plant cause miracles. For example, regular consumption of high-percentage chocolate should reduce the risk of cancer, protect against cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, and reduce symptoms of depression. Especially valuable is the dark chocolate, which contains a high value of valuable antioxidants. According to researchers from the US University of Pennsylvania, the „radical scavengers“ Share even higher than in various fruit juices and fruits. These scavengers prevent the oxidation of sensitive molecules, which is triggered by a reaction of mostly oxygen and other oxidizing chemicals. But what about the many chocolate beauty products? "This is more about the psychological effect, so the feeling of doing something good with chocolate," said the skin expert Prof. Hans Meffert. Although there is really something in chocolate that does the skin good, the care products can not hide the fact that skin diseases with chocolate in this form can not be cured.

Cocoa in a natural way can heal wounds
Meffert refers in this connection to a scientific study of the University of Münster. There, researchers have found that various cocoa bean ingredients can heal skin wounds and even stimulate skin cell growth. "However, these positive components are only minimally present in cosmetic products and have no effect on this dermatological effect," explains the dermatologist. However, the cocoa butter can care for the skin and „by gently greasing and can dry skin from moisture loss“ Meffert explained. The specialist for skin diseases, Dr. med. Sabine Zenker was also critical. Consumers should not have too high expectations when buying products. Because: "There are far better products for skin care."

Chocolate soothing to the soul
The chocolate applications are not that ineffective. It is above all the scent that appeals to the senses of the body and produces a soothing sensation. Meffert explains the positive effect with a psychological effect that occurs in such applications. The scent awakens childhood memories and happiness-endorphins are released. Many users feel that they are doing something special and beautiful for themselves and their bodies. Just this basic attitude provides relaxation and creates happiness hormones. This opinion was also shared by Kerstin Moog, Spa Manager in Bad Zwischenahn. A chocolate treatment lasts up to three hours, she explains. During this time, people experience one „scary nice body feeling“. This is true during, but also after the time of the procedure.

Beware of own applications
Numerous instructions for homemade masks, scrubs and creams circulate on the Internet. Since the chocolate must be liquid for skin applications, it is heated first and mixed with other ingredients. Just that heating can lead to serious skin injuries if the mass is applied too early and still very hot. It threatens severe burns and unwanted red spots on the skin. In addition, it should be made clear that a stressed skin, which is sensitive and prone to inflammation, is actually overburdened by a self-made chocolate mask. A homemade mixture can cause inflammation if the texture of the skin is prone to it.

The best success is achieved by users using natural cocoa butter products, such as those offered in health food stores. Shea butter contains effective substances that sustain the skin and slow down skin aging. The most important ingredients are fatty acids, oil, vitamin E, allantoin and provitamin A. (sb)

Read about chocolate & health:
Migraine: Stress or chocolate no triggers
Red wine and chocolate, the new cancer killer?
Chocolate with valuable antioxidants
Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure

Picture: S.Hainz