Composition and useful properties of cocoa powder for leather. Possible contraindications. Effective recipes for cocoa face masks, how to use them correctly? Real reviews of girls.
Cocoa face mask is a versatile remedy that is suitable for all skin types. Provided regular use, it provides deep nutrition, replenishes vitamin deficiencies, increases elasticity, smoothes the first wrinkles. And thanks to the pleasant chocolate aroma, the mood improves, the strength is restored, which is doubly useful.
What is cocoa?
In the photo, the fruits of cocoa or chocolate tree
Cocoa is a noble product with an exquisite taste and pleasant chocolate aroma, which is traditionally used for confectionery purposes. Without exception, everyone knows a drink that is brewed on the basis of milk with the addition of powdered chocolate tree fruits.
But also cocoa has found application in cosmetology, as it is an extremely useful product. Numerous cosmetic products are produced on its basis, and treatment procedures give pleasant sensations and allow you to cope with many skin problems.
The fruits of the chocolate tree contain about 700 compounds that somehow benefit the human body. First of all, these are vitamins A, PP, group B, numerous minerals, proteins of vegetable origin, and fats. In addition, cocoa contains tannins, antioxidants, phytosterols, polysaccharides, flavonoids, starch and caffeine.
Useful properties of cocoa
Photo of cocoa powder
Not surprisingly, cocoa powder has won accolades in the home cosmetology world. Face masks based on it are universal, that is, they help fight dermatological problems of a different nature. They are effective in combating acne, age and expression lines, oily sheen and an unhealthy complexion. In general, the list of indications for the use of cocoa powder masks is really extensive, which, by the way, is evidenced by numerous positive reviews.
Why are cocoa masks useful for facial skin:
- Moisturizing, combating dryness;
- Elimination of rashes, acne;
- Increasing the production of collagen and elastin, which leads to an improvement in skin elasticity;
- Prevention of the appearance of wrinkles and elimination of those that have already appeared;
- Whitening of age spots;
- Face contour lifting, sagging skin care;
- Gentle exfoliation of dead cells;
- Refreshing the face, maintaining its healthy color;
- Softening sensitive, irritated skin;
- Elimination of flaking on the face;
- Normalization of the sebaceous glands;
- Acceleration of skin regeneration, cell renewal, rapid wound healing;
- Supply of oxygen to cells, nutrition of the skin, increasing its tone;
Cocoa powder face masks increase the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen. Due to the rich composition of the fruits of the chocolate tree, after 2-3 procedures, you can see the first results.
Note! To enhance the effectiveness of cocoa masks, other skin-friendly products are also included. Most often these are finely ground oat flakes, natural honey, homemade chicken eggs, fermented milk products, oils.
Contraindications and harm of cocoa masks
Useful masks from the fruit of the chocolate tree have practically no contraindications, with the exception of an allergic reaction. To eliminate the risk of allergies, test the cosmetic product in advance.
A little of the resulting composition is applied to the inside of the wrist or elbow bend. After half an hour, the skin reaction should be assessed. If nothing happened, no external negative manifestations in the form of redness, rash, itching were found, you can start using a cocoa mask at home.
Cocoa face mask recipes
In the photo, a cocoa face mask
According to cosmetologists, masks based on the fruit of the chocolate tree can work wonders: this is the best remedy for any problems that can happen to the skin. Regular and correct application of them will help to achieve a significant improvement in the condition of the skin, making it radiant in appearance and pleasant, velvety to the touch.
Effective recipes for masks with cocoa powder:
- Classic … It is prepared on the basis of only one crushed fruit of the chocolate tree with the addition of water (or milk - for owners of dry skin), so the procedure does not take much time and effort. But, despite this, the effect is, of course, - moisturizing and nourishing the skin. As a result of mixing the two components, a mixture should be obtained that has the consistency of thick sour cream, without lumps. Apply it with your fingers, stand for literally 10 minutes and then wash off.
- Cinnamon … Multi-component face mask for acne and inflammation, which is prepared on the basis of 70% dark chocolate, cocoa powder, soft cheese and cinnamon. First you need to grind the chocolate with a grater and take 2 tablespoons of the product. Then add cocoa powder, grated cheese to it and sprinkle everything with spice, which will need a pinch. To achieve the combination of all the ingredients together, the container with them is sent to a steam bath. When the components have melted, you can remove it. Use a mask that is warm, without waiting for it to cool completely. Apply the mixture along the massage lines.
- With aloe juice and cucumber. This mask is great for aging skin care and combating all sorts of irritations, inflammations, small acne. First, you need to peel one cucumber and grind it with a grater. Melt one spoonful of cocoa butter in a water bath and grind with the pulp of a cucumber. Add a spoonful of aloe juice and chamomile oil to the composition. The exposure time of the mask is 30 minutes.
- With green tea. This recipe is designed to combat expression wrinkles. Before preparing the mask, the tea leaves must be grinded with a blender. A spoonful of cocoa is added to two tablespoons of the resulting powder. Then the dry mixture is poured with hot water, so as to obtain a dry mass. Let it cool, add a spoonful of honey, which has a liquid consistency, and mix well. Apply this mask of cocoa and honey with green tea for 20 minutes. Use cool water to rinse off.
- With cane sugar … The cleanser is well suited for peeling the skin, increases blood circulation in the epidermis. It is prepared on the basis of light honey (1 spoon) with the addition of cocoa (1 spoon) and cane sugar (2 tablespoons). Cane sugar can be replaced with white, but it is less beneficial. Apply on face for 10 minutes, gently rubbing in, and rinse off as usual.
- With oat flakes … The recipe is suitable for the care of oily skin, cleanses the face well, tightens pores, gives the face a matte finish. Mix 3 ingredients in equal proportions: low fat kefir, finely ground oatmeal, and cocoa powder. The mixture is left to swell for 15 minutes. The exposure time of the mask with cocoa, kefir and oatmeal is 25 minutes. To wash off the mixture, use a green tea brew to tone the skin.
- With milk … The mask is designed for combination skin: combating peeling, normalizing sebum production, getting rid of tightness. Preheat half a glass of milk to a temperature of no more than 35 degrees. Add a spoonful of chocolate tree fruit powder and stir until the mixture has the consistency of sour cream. In a separate container, heat half a spoonful of peach oil in a water bath and pour into the working mixture. Apply the mixture to your face for 15 minutes. An infusion of herbs is used for flushing.
- With raspberries … Mask for nourishing and toning the skin, combating pigmentation and freckles. Mash a dozen berries in a clean container, pour in a spoonful of kefir, add pre-beaten egg white and half a spoonful of cocoa powder. Preparation: put raspberries in a bowl and mash slightly, add kefir, cocoa and pre-beaten protein. The exposure time of the mask of cocoa, kefir, eggs and raspberries is 15 minutes.
- With kefir … The recipe is great for oily skin care: it will help to normalize the work of the sebaceous glands, sebum secretion, narrow wide pores, and eliminate oily sheen. Pour two tablespoons of cocoa powder into half a glass of low-fat kefir. Beat the egg white using a whisk until a thick foam is obtained. Add it to your work team. The exposure time of the mask is 10 minutes. The mixture is washed off the face after complete drying.
- With fruit juice … Lifting mask for skin tone, combating fine wrinkles, improving complexion. Make a juice from raspberries or cherries, you can also use lemon juice. Mix two tablespoons of cocoa with a spoonful of clay and pour over the powder with fruit juice until a smooth consistency is achieved. The exposure time of the composition is 20 minutes; warm water is used for rinsing. If a burning sensation occurs, the mask must be removed immediately.
- With olive oil … Dry type skin care mask, contributes to a beautiful bronze complexion. In equal proportions, mix the powder of the fruit of the chocolate tree with olive oil and apply to the face. After 10 minutes, wash off with cool water.
- With oat flour … Such a mask is indicated for the care of aging and dry skin, helps to restore a healthy complexion, eliminate wrinkles, and has a tightening effect. Mix a spoonful of oatmeal with a spoonful of cocoa powder, add half a spoonful of dark honey, which has a thick consistency. After thorough mixing, kefir is introduced into the composition to obtain a thick gruel. The exposure time of the mask is 15 minutes.
- With vitamin E … The recipe is designed to smooth out wrinkles, nourish and saturate the face with useful substances, vitamins, the mask moisturizes the skin well. Add two tablespoons honey and one plain yogurt to three tablespoons of cocoa powder. After mixing the ingredients, add the contents of one capsule of vitamin E. The exposure time of the cocoa mask from wrinkles is 20 minutes. Rinse off with plenty of water due to the presence of an oily substance in the composition.
- With clay … The mask has a lifting effect, tightens flabby skin, eliminates fine wrinkles, and is suitable for frequent use. Mix two tablespoons of chocolate tree fruit powder and white clay, add finely chopped oatmeal - one spoon. The dry mass is poured with yogurt until a homogeneous gruel is obtained. You can also use a strong green tea brew for breeding. After application, the mixture is left on the face for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water.
- With sour cream … The mask is designed to care for tired skin, restores a normal complexion, moisturizes dry dermis. Whisk one raw egg yolk, add a spoonful of high-fat sour cream and half a spoonful of cocoa powder. Grind the mass to get rid of lumps. Apply on the face and wait until the mask is completely dry. Mineral water is used for flushing.
- With coffee … A universal mask for all skin types, however, it is best suited for combination and oily skin, as it actively cleanses the face, tightens pores, fights blackheads, and restores a normal complexion. To prepare in equal quantities, mix cocoa and finely ground coffee - one spoon at a time, dilute to a thick sour cream with warm milk. It can also be replaced with high-fat cream. The exposure time of such a mask from cocoa from blackheads is 15 minutes. Cold green tea is used for rinsing.
- With coconut oil … Multifunctional face mask: regenerates the skin, has a mild exfoliating and moisturizing effect, nourishes and protects against the harmful effects of environmental factors (temperature changes, UV radiation). For its preparation, a spoonful of cocoa powder is poured with two tablespoons of yogurt, which does not contain additives. Introduce two tablespoons of honey, which has a thick consistency, and a spoonful of coconut oil. Leave the mask for 20 minutes so that all active substances are well absorbed.
- With turmeric … A recipe for the care of problem skin, the mask will help get rid of its imperfections: it eliminates acne and various rashes, small wounds and redness. Mix a spoonful of cocoa powder with cinnamon and turmeric - take half a spoonful of spices. A spoonful of olive oil is poured into the dry mass. The mask is applied to the face in a thick layer, the exposure time is 20 minutes. Before rinsing, a gentle massage is performed to improve the absorption of beneficial ingredients.
- With berry pulp … The mask has a tonic effect, normalizes the sebaceous glands and sebum production, improves complexion. Prepare berry puree from available berries, for example, you can use raspberries, strawberries, watermelon. Mix the resulting puree and cocoa powder in equal amounts - spoonful. To care for oily skin, add half a spoonful of lemon juice to the composition.
- With cognac … The mask is intended for the care of oily skin - it removes oily sheen, gives the face a matte finish, but is also capable of whitening age spots. To prepare it, mash 5 strawberries with a fork until puree is obtained. Add two tablespoons of clay to it, a spoonful of oatmeal and good high quality cognac, half a spoonful of cocoa powder. The exposure time of the mask is 20 minutes. Remove it with a towel soaked in cool water.
- With apricot oil … Mask for active skin cleansing, eliminating fine wrinkles, tightening sagging skin, giving matte finish. Make mashed strawberries and black currants; you will need literally a few berries to prepare the product. Add two tablespoons of cocoa to the composition, half a spoonful of honey, which has a liquid consistency, drip apricot oil - 10 drops. The exposure time of the mask is 20 minutes.
- With banana … The mask gives the face a healthy complexion, softens the skin well, nourishes, and removes excessive dryness. Make a fruit puree using one banana and add a spoonful of cocoa to it. The exposure time of the vitamin mask does not exceed 20 minutes. For the care of aging skin, banana is replaced by mango, for oily skin, kiwi is more suitable.
- With wheat germ oil … Recipe for skin nourishment, eliminates wrinkles, exfoliates and softens. To prepare the product, mash the pulp of the pumpkin and add a spoonful of cocoa butter and wheat germ to it. The exposure time of the mask does not exceed 15 minutes. After rinsing, the face is wiped with chamomile infusion.
- With honey … A universal mask for all skin types. Mix a spoonful of honey, which has a liquid consistency (or melt a little in a water bath), with a spoonful of cocoa and wheat flour (you can replace corn). As a result of mixing, a mass should be obtained that has a large density, which must be diluted with mineral water in order to achieve a creamy state. The exposure time of the mask is 15 minutes.
Note! When preparing cocoa face masks, all ingredients must be fresh. It is good to use homemade eggs and fermented milk products - this way the effect of the cosmetic product increases. It is better to take filtered water, and you can also buy non-carbonated mineral water.
Rules for the use of cocoa for the face
To prepare a cocoa-based mask at home, you should use an exclusively natural product of high quality. Cheap products or goods that have already expired will not be beneficial, but may even cause deterioration of the skin. Instant mixes designed for making chocolate drinks are also not suitable, since they simply do not have the beneficial properties of a natural product.
On average, procedures are done 2-3 times a week. For normal skin care, the frequency of their implementation is once a week, owners of oily skin can use this tool more often - as needed. The exposure time does not exceed 20 minutes.
Note! A cocoa face mask will be an excellent express remedy if you urgently need to tidy up your skin before an important event.
Before making a cocoa mask, make-up is removed, the face is cleansed of excess sebum and impurities, wiped with milk or tonic.
Since cocoa masks have coloring properties, you can ruin your clothes. Therefore, use an old robe before the procedure.
After applying the product, it is recommended to take a horizontal position and relax, so that the active substances of the fruits of the chocolate tree better penetrate deep into the epidermis. To enhance the action of the product, you can lay plastic wrap on top of it (do not forget to make cutouts for the eyes and nose) and a towel.
Real reviews of cocoa masks
It is truly a versatile remedy that suits all skin types. And the effect of a home cosmetic procedure is not worse than that of a salon. This is evidenced by numerous positive reviews about cocoa masks. The following are the most revealing ones.
Anna, 34 years old
Facial skin began to lose its elasticity, especially in the cheeks. But I don’t risk going to a beautician and doing injections yet, it seems that the age is not yet. I heard from a friend that the tandem of aloe and cocoa powder is considered a good helper in this matter. I began to make such masks, the effect is there, but it does not last long. In any case, this is a good remedy before any event or important meeting.
Oksana, 23 years old
Since adolescence, I can't get rid of rashes on my face, constantly some acne pops up, then irritation, then the skin turns red. There are no longer any forces. I start using store products, on the contrary, my face dries out and tightens. Through trial and error, I have chosen a good skin care product - a mask with cocoa powder, turmeric, cinnamon and olive oil. It fights well with the imperfections of problem skin, but also does not dry out the face, which is very important for me. Whoever has a similar situation - I recommend!
Irina, 37 years old
I have long heard about the benefits of the fruits of the chocolate tree for the face. But it is important to use a natural product - there is zero sense from ready-made powder drinks. My sister was vacationing in Bali, and I asked her to buy whole cocoa beans - there the chocolate trees grow in their natural environment. Now I will grind the fruits into powder and make masks. And if you add natural coffee to the crushed cocoa beans, you get an excellent natural scrub with healing properties.
How to make a mask from cocoa - watch the video:
