Once upon a time, chocolate was a girl’s friend… then enemy… and now friend again!
Mythbuster (from Drs. Rodan and Fields): Chocolate causes acne.
The overall correlation between diet and acne is still unclear. However, dermatologists now understand that it is not likely to be the cocoa / chocolate component of that Godiva truffle that is behind an acne flare-up, but it could be the sugar that is the culprit. That’s because foods that are high on the glycemic index (high sugar/carbohydrate foods) are not skin friendly in general. High glycemic foods cause a surge of insulin in the body which may accelerate collagen breakdown and increase oil production (thus increasing the likelihood of breakouts). So regardless of your skin concern, eating healthy foods will always serve you well and help your skin resist the effects of inflammation and stress.
We have all heard recent reports that eating chocolate is actually GOOD for you. It contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor to seratonin, a mood stabilizer. Cocoa powder is also a powerful antioxidant that protects and frees the skin from free radicals that cause damage to skin layers.
So what does this mean for you?? As with most anything, moderation. A chocolate or two from that pretty heart box is not going to cause the breakout of the century, but sitting and eating the whole box will cause that nasty insulin surge the doctors talked about.
But, here’s a great way to indulge in some chocolate and improve your skin at the same time:
a diet-friendly chocolate face mask 🙂
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream (sour cream will work as well)
- 3 teaspoons of oatmeal powder
Preparation
Mix ingredients until you get an even consistency. Apply to a clean face and gently massage to exfoliate the dead skin cell layer. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Why not enjoy one of those Godiva truffles during your 20 minute wait?
So, why honey and oatmeal? You will hear me talk more about the wonders of honey, but it’s added here for its anti-bacterial properties as well as it’s ability to cleanse skin and open clogged pores. The oatmeal is great for sensitive skin as a gentle yet effective exfoliant (aka micro-dermabrasion).
So now that we busted those chocolate myths and gave you a great recipe for a facial mask, enjoy this day and… INDULGE!!
Want more great skin care tips? Don’t forget to sign up for my R+F Newsletter, coming soon to your inbox! Let me know how much you loved this mask after you try it!
Castle Jones 