According the article where I found this recipe on health.com, http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20528189_4,00.html, cocoa can "help repair skin cells and neutralize harmful free radicals," says dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. Even more surprising is that "the powder has a rich, indulgent aroma, so you'll often satisfied by simply smelling it," says Alan Hirsch, MD, founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation. The docs reckon that just smelling the cocoa can satisfy or reduce chocolate cravings since the same neurotransmitters in the brain are stimulated whether you're smelling or eating it.
Well, if what they say is true about the smell and the healing power of cocoa, then this cocoa mask serves a duel purpose. Not to mention, it's made with simple ingredients you probably have on hand (and chemical-free if you use organic ingredients), and as an added bonus, you can eat the leftovers!
cocoa face mask
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon ground oatmeal (grind with a mortar and pestle, food processor or coffee grinder)
2 tablespoons full-fat plain yogurt
Combine ingredients in a bowl. Gently massage onto moist, washed skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off. Repeat once a week for maximum results.
*Note: I was very pleased with the results. My skin felt moisturized, yet tightened. However, I didn't grind the oatmeal first, mainly out of laziness. The made it difficult to get the oats to stick to my face. I'm assuming the oats are mainly used as an exfoliant to slough off dead skin cells. But since I applied this mask directly after using brown sugar body scrub on my face, I didn't need anymore exfoliation. Next time, I'll either grind the oatmeal first or leave it out.
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