Chocolate, once on the no-no list, is better for the skin than previously thought. For years, dermatologists and doctors told patients to avoid consuming chocolate, because it was blamed for acne issues. Over the past few years, dermatologists have changed their tunes. 

Chocolate Not to Blame for Acne?

Dr. Ava Shamban told the Huffington Post that there’s little evidence that the chocolate itself is explicitly to blame. Instead, it’s the overall fat and sugar content of one’s diet that plays a role, as well as a woman’s hormones.

“There are many reasons why people give chocolate a bad rap,” says Dr. Shamban. “One reason is that some women like to indulge in sweets, particularly chocolate, during the premenstrual part of their cycle (PMS). Acne-prone women may notice breakouts coincide with this time in their cycle. Estrogen levels drop, triggering androgens (hormones produced by the ovaries) to stimulate the sebaceous glands; this pumps up oil production. Therefore it may be your menstrual cycle itself, not the chocolate you crave during it, which causes you to break out. In addition, when people fill up on chocolate and other high-caloric and fatty foods, they leave little room to eat a balanced and well-rounded diet, which is needed for healthy skin. So it can be the lack of needed nutrients, rather than the chocolate itself, which supports the proliferation of acne.”

2 Ways That Chocolate Improves the Skin

Despite the other ingredients (like sugar) in most chocolate products for consumption, there are benefits if an individual chooses to add chocolate skincare products to their regular regimen.  Components of the chocolate and nutrients in the chocolate, when applied to the skin, can help to improve the look and feel of your skin.

Here are a few of chocolate skincare benefits that you may see if you incorporate products with cocoa in them into your regular skincare routine.

1. Less sun damage. Sunburn may be less excruciating or uncomfortable, thanks to the flavanols in chocolate, according to another Huffington Post piece.
2. Lower stress hormones. Not only will you feel better, but the antioxidants in dark chocolate help to lessen the breakdown of collagen caused by increases in cortisol. Your skin may appear firmer, and more youthful.

If you’re looking for a chocolate skincare line, Cocoage has what you’re looking for. Check out our shop!