How to make a DIY mask against expression lines and deep wrinkles at home with just a few ingredients, all easily available in the kitchen! Here is the cocoa face mask that has an almost immediate effect. In fact, 5 days of application are enough to see the first benefits. But here are the recipe of the face mask and its properties, as emerged from scientific studies
How to use cocoa for more rejuvenated and elastic skin, protected from UV damage and photoaging
In this period it is easy to find packs full of cocoa powder in the kitchen for the preparation of delicious desserts. Cocoa is exquisite, it lights up the senses and envelops with its aromas but it is also a precious source of antioxidants, to be enjoyed and… applied to the face. In fact, cocoa is an ingredient for beauty masks with an anti-aging action, for softer and more elastic skin. Let’s see what science says about the cosmetic properties of cocoa and then a recipe for preparing a cocoa face mask at home, with very few steps and even fewer ingredients!
Cocoa for the beauty of the skin, what science says
Cocoa is good for the skin! And this applies both when we taste it, for example by eating dark chocolate or consuming smoothies or shakes to which cocoa has been added, and when we apply it on the face as a beauty treatment. All thanks to cocoa polyphenols, which protect the skin from UV damage, premature wrinkle formation and photoaging (Scapagnini et al, Nutrients, 2014 – Katz et al, Antioxid Redox Signal, 2011). Not only that, the topical application of cocoa-based treatments has been shown to stimulate collagen production and to improve skin elasticity and tone (Scapagnini et al, Nutrients, 2014). These benefits were observed after a regular application of cocoa and its antioxidants for five days, while to see a reduction in wrinkles, cocoa-based products were applied for about a month (Andujar et al, Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2012 – Karim et al, J Cosmet Dermatol, 2016).
DIY cocoa face mask
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of thick yogurt, such as Greek yogurt, which improves the elasticity and brightness of the skin, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of honey, which moisturizes and has a rejuvenating action, and, if you wish and if you have it at home, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, such as jojoba or argan oil, for greater hydration (Yeom et al, J Cosmet Sci, 2011 – Burlando et al, J Cosmet Dermatol, 2013). Mix well and apply on a clean face for 10 minutes, then rinse and continue with your usual treatment.