Chocolate isn’t just a sweet Valentine’s Day treat – it’s also now a popular ingredient in many at-home and med spa masks and facials. But are chocolate facials actually good for your skin, or are they just a sweet-sounding trend? Our team of skincare experts weighs in on the pros and cons of trying the trending chocolate facial.
What Is a Chocolate Facial?
As the name suggests, chocolate facials contain chocolate-based active ingredients like cocoa powder, cocoa butter or dark chocolate. Because of this, many chocolate facials have a subtle chocolate smell, contributing to the pampering and relaxing overall experience of these trending treatments.
Can a Chocolate Facial Help Your Skin?
Chocolate does contain some beneficial properties that might help to give your skin a glow-up. Most notably, cocoa is rich in antioxidants, which may help to protect your skin against damage caused by oxidative stress. Chocolate also contains small amounts of caffeine, which can constrict blood vessels to help with under-eye puffiness and dark circles. Finally, cocoa butter can be moisturizing for the skin.
While these benefits can help your skin to look and feel smoother and refreshed right after getting a chocolate facial, they aren’t likely to last for more than a few days unless you keep getting facials.
Alternatives to Chocolate Facials
If you are looking to get more out of your facial or other skin treatment, our team often recommends these rejuvenating treatments:
- HydraFacial®. HydraFacial is a popular treatment that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and hydration in one session. It uses a vortex technology that’s able to deliver serums deep into the skin, leaving your face refreshed, hydrated and radiant. Unlike a chocolate facial, HydraFacial can provide more noticeable improvements in skin tone and texture that can last for 4 to 6 weeks.
- VI Peel. VI Peel is a unique chemical peel that comes in several different formulations and strengths, allowing it to be customized to meet your skin’s unique needs. Its blend of customized ingredients can reach the deeper layers of skin, where they can stimulate collagen and promote cell turnover for longer-lasting results.
- DiamondGlow®. DiamondGlow is a cutting-edge exfoliation treatment that uses a special diamond-tipped wand to gently and effectively remove dead skin cells and other debris from the surface, while also infusing customized serums into the skin. Because these serums are customized to suit your individual skin concerns and needs, DiamondGlow can address a range of skin problems, including wrinkles and fine lines, uneven skin tone and texture, acne scars, dry skin and more.
- Microneedling with PRP. Microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is a two-part skin treatment that first uses microneedling technology to create tiny “micro channels” in the skin. This process on its own stimulates collagen and natural cellular repair, but its effects can be enhanced with the addition of PRP. Once micro channels are created in the skin, PRP is applied, enhancing its absorption and effectiveness.
If you’re still not sure which type of facial or skin treatment could yield the best results for you, call our Sarasota office at 941-955-8384 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today.
