CACAO - Delicious AND amazing for your skin.

If you're anything like me, sometimes you just need some chocolate in your life. It's not a want but a need. Now, I've moved from Cadburys to a dark, dairy-free variety. But it still gives me those warm, sweet, comforted feels that I had as a kid munching down Kit Kats. Why? Because of the cacao! Cacao is where all chocolate starts off. Before sugars and fats and processing, it’s just cacao. Cacao contains an amino acid called tryptophan that your brain uses to produce the neurotransmitter Serotonin, which can increase feelings of overall happiness. Serotonin is the feel-good chemical and influences your mood. So that’s why we crave it when we’re feeling down. Our body knows that it will get a hit of serotonin after munching on a choccy bar. So what does this have to do with skincare? Well I’m glad you asked. Cacao is a superfood that does amazing things for our body when eaten, but it also does amazing things when used topically. Have a read of the cacao/skin facts I gathered below.

• Raw cacao can help to keep your skin looking young and plump by preventing collagen (a wrinkle-fighting protein) from breaking down.

• When cacao is applied to the skin, it can help heal acne and redness while also improving the appearance of your skin by the promotion of blood flow.

• Cacao is high in calcium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, making it a nutrient-dense food and topical treatment.

• Ideal for people with sensitive skin. Dark chocolate is mild on the skin and because it is a natural anti-inflammatory, it can help to soothe inflamed, itchy and irritated skin.

• Cacao is high in antioxidants and fatty acids (such as stearic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid), which protect your skin from free radical damage and keep it feeling smooth and protected.

• Cacao's high antioxidant and flavonoid content can aid if you're worried about skin damage caused by those yucky UV rays from the sun, florescent lighting, and screens. As it encourages cell growth, it helps avoid the visibility of ageing which is something I am definitely here for!

We've got a few products that utilize the awesome properties of cacao.

Our Cacao Coffee Body Scrub which can be used over your whole body including your face is perfect for exfoliating and moisturizing at the same time while showering. 

Or Mayde Tea's Cacao & Cinnamon Spice blend will give you all of the delicious benefits in a sweet and spicy tea.