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Get the superfood cacao powder that is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants = anti aging.
Cacao for beginners: In this context, we are talking about the superfood, cacao. Which is derived from the raw cocao bean, a plant found in tropical regions near the equator. There is a substantial nutrition difference between cacao and cocoa. Basically, cacao is the raw form made by cold pressing raw cacao beans while cacao is made from roasted cacao beans. This is where chocolate comes from, the cocao fruit. The resulting product looks very similar. However, during the roasting process the high temperatures destroy most of the nutritional content. An average chocolate bar from the store is made with cocoa, and often with tons of added sugar too.
Since I have used it, I have fallen in love with cacao. I now even have cacao in some of my morning smoothies, which makes it super chocolatey.
Let’s talk Cacao for your skin:
Chocolate is yummy to eat, but Cacao is amazing for your skin, let’s break it down and see why you need it!
1. Anti Aging and Skin Repair
Lack of collagen production and damage to our skin cells by free radicals causes aging and makes out skin look tired. Free radical damages comes from external sources like exposure to X-rays, ozone, smoking, air pollutants, and industrial chemicals. Because cocao is rich in a naturally occurring antioxidant called polyphenols, it works to fight free radicals and repair damage already done.
2. Firms Skin & Collagen Production
Cocao is shown to increase skin firmness and hydration by ingesting high flavanol cocao and also less roughness and scaling. Cocao topical application resulted in positively affecting skin elasticity and production of collagen.
3. Acne
Flavanols, which is one of the antioxidants found in chocolate has potent anti-inflammatory effects. An anti inflammatory ingredients are great for soothing skin irritated by acne and reducing blemishes.
4. Prevents UV Sun Damage
We have already mentioned free radicals, antioxidants also help us by fighting off those free radicals.
So with all of this beautiful goodness, what is not to love! This mask should be applied straight away and smells absolutely yummy!
You Need:
- ½ tsp of cocao powder
- 1 tsp Kaolin Clay / Bentonite Clay
- ½ tsp of raw honey*
- ¼ tsp of purified water or rose water
*Sub honey with manuka honey for even more benefits.
This makes 1 generous mask, double or triple ingredients as necessary to add more faces. If you want to keep it for a second use, pop into a sterilised jar and place in the fridge for 1 week.
Equipment required:
- 1 glass bowl or jug (glass is preferred)
- 1 spatula or spoon
- 1 face mask brush
- Make up removing sponge to remove the mask.
To Make:
- Mix honey and filtered water or rose water together in a small bowl.
- Mix cocao powder and kaolin clay together.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients together until you get a smooth paste with no lumps or obvious powder.
- Apply to a cleansed face.
- Remove before dry or leave on for approx 20 minutes.
- I love to use microfiber cloth or this sponge to remove it. These are reusable.
- After the application follow your usual facial routine with toner, serum and moisturiser.
Not a Maker?
If making your own products is not for your then we have some beautiful products that you may like.
O!GETi Honey Hydrogel Eye Patch
This lovely addition to your skincare will brighten up your underage area. This honey & gold hydrogel eye patch contains gold and honey extract that is effective in moisturising and nourishing the delicate skin around the eyes.
Manuka Doctor Replenishing Facial Oil with Manuka Honey
This is an anti-ageing formula that is rich in powerful plant extracts and the wonderful manuka honey and is designed to revitalise and restore radiance. Clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth and increase skin firmness and elasticity in just four weeks.
I get a lot of my ingredients from Amazon and use Prime, which gives me free & speedy delivery on a lot o items plus access to Prime Video! A favourite in our house. Try Prime for free for 30 days by signing up here and avail of items that are delivered for free.
Disclaimer: This information and content does not replace that advice of a dermatologist or medical advice. Please seek medical advice if you suspect that you have a dermal condition.
Affiliate Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links come at no extra cost to you. These links allow us to share the products we authentically recommend (and use) and support our recipes by receiving a small commission.
