A lot of people still believe the urban myth that chocolate causes acne. Chocolate candy and confections most assuredly can cause acne because of their sugar content and perhaps the dairy. Dark chocolate does not cause acne. As early as 1969, scientists were working on dispelling this myth at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Scientists conducted a study on the correlation between chocolate and those possessing moderate acne. Half of the participants were given bars with no actual chocolate in them and the other half were given chocolate bars containing ten times the amount of chocolate in a normal chocolate bar. At the end of the ten week study, neither group showed worsened acne. The result of the study showed no link to chocolate and acne. The myth was proven to be false; however, many people still believe that chocolate causes acne. Simply not true. A similar study was also conducted by the U.S. Naval Academy. They, too, found absolutely no evidence that chocolate causes or worsens existing acne.
Another study was conducted at the University of Missouri with student volunteers who had been suffering from mild to moderate acne for quite some time. Each of the students was to consume 20 ounces of chocolate over a 48 hour period. On the fifth day, the acne lesions were examined and they were then checked on the seventh day. The students showed absolutely no further worsening of current lesions, nor any new lesions than those that had been noted to occur during that time period prior to the study.
Truth be told, no food has been linked to causing acne. If a person develops acne from a particular food that means they have a sensitivity or allergy to that food. The food itself does not cause the acne. Chocolate does not cause or aggravate existing acne, although sugar, dairy and its fats in milk chocolate may exacerbate existing acne problems in people with these sensitivities to these ingredients. There are a lot of people that just cannot tolerate milk in any form. Overactive oils glands, stress, heredity, skin type, cosmetics, environment, and hormonal changes are what cause acne, not our friend dark chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate can create healthy, glowing skin because of the antioxidants it contains. In addition, dark chocolate may actually help prevent acne as it contains serotonin which produces a calming effect in the brain. Dark chocolate stimulates the release of serotonin which in turn relieves the stress stimulating acne eruptions. So go ahead, don’t worry about it. Eat the high-quality dark chocolate bar and enjoy its benefits. Perhaps see an allergist or dermatologist if you feel chocolate is to blame for your outbreaks.
Want to know something even better? Not only does dark chocolate help you skin from the inside, it can also make your skin look more radiant on the outside. Try these spa recipes that use unsweetened cocoa powder at home and tell me your favorites. You can substitute dark chocolate (70% cocoa content or more) for the cocoa, but make sure that you melt it in a double boiler and let it cool a bit before application. Don’t forget the dark chocolate to eat while you are relaxing!
Chocolate Honey Face Scrub
Increases circulation and softens dry skin.
Not suitable for oily skin.
2 teaspoons Cocoa Powder, unsweetened
1 teaspoon Honey
1 teaspoon Raw Turbinado Sugar
1 teaspoon Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia
Nut Oil, Olive Oil or Sesame Oil
Combine all the ingredients until it forms a paste.
Gently apply to freshly washed skin and lightly massage with
your finger tips for 30 seconds.
Rinse with warm water and you are left with soft, detoxified
skin that smells wonderful and looks smooth and silky.
Follow with your favorite moisturizer.
Chocolate Facial Fondue
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder, unsweetened
1/8 cup Coconut Milk, unsweetened
1 teaspoon of Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Green Tea Leaves, finely ground
Whisk all ingredients together thoroughly. Apply a thin layer
to the skin with a facial brush and let set for 20 minutes.
Rinse well with warm water. Pay dry and follow generously
Chocolate Milk Facial Mask
Gently exfoliates and softens the skin.
1/3 cup Cocoa Powder, unsweetened
3 tablespoons Heavy Cream (or Whipping Cream)
2 tablespoons Plain Yogurt
1/4 cup Honey
2 tablespoons Oatmeal, not instant
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Apply
to the face. Let mask remain on face for 20 minutes. Rinse
off with warm water and a wash cloth by using a circular
motion to massage and exfoliate. Splash with cool water and
follow with a moisturizer.
You may also use this as a foot or hand mask. Simply triple