If you frequently indulge in a chocolate party for one and find yourself guilt-ridden afterwards, then maybe it's about time you fully understood the benefits of the dark stuff. Chocolate is known for its uplifting and mood enhancing qualities - in fact, scientific studies have proven the positive impact the scent of chocolate has on our mood. Although a box of Milk Tray isn't going to provide much satisfaction outside of filling your belly, dark chocolate is low in sugar and high in cocoa, as well as being rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can really benefit the skin. As temperatures start to fall, Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant Rich Feeling Lotion provides long-lasting relief and a daily shot of hydration. Enriched with Vitamin A and E to help replenish, moisturise and maintain healthy skin, the lotion is easily absorbed and melts into the skin for a deep moisture infusion that's in high demand this time of year. The rich formula also includes cocoa, the main ingredient in dark chocolate, so I went to investigate the benefits of using cocoa in your skincare routine by covering myself head to toe in the tasty brown stuff. All in the name of research...
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Dark chocolate provides a multitude of skincare benefits, including repairing dry skin. Iron, Calcium and Vitamins A, B1, C, D and E are among the many nutrients that we can obtain from dark chocolate, all of which help to deeply moisturise dry skin and leave behind a healthy glow. Cocoa also helps to shield against harmful UV rays; Flavonols found in dark chocolate have been clinically proven to help your skin protect itself from sunburn, redness and other signs of UV damage, as well as providing repairing qualities and helping to hydrate skin that has been exposed to the sun. Although slapping on chocolate instead of SPF isn't a good idea, it's great that an ingredient can provide such benefits, even in the colder months when you don't necessarily think of sun care as a top priority. In addition to this, cocoa helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles - even if indirectly. Dark chocolate helps to reduce stress hormones, which leads to less collagen breakdown in the skin that essentially leads to wrinkles becoming more obvious.
So with all that in mind, you can understand why I was a willing participant and went along to experience a full chocolate body wrap at a top London spa. Not only does cocoa provide all the benefits above, but dark chocolate also helps to firm the skin and target problem areas around the thigh and stomach area, as well as helping to reduce cellulite. My body wrap started with a thorough cleanse and exfoliation, followed by a chocolate oil being massaged all over my limbs. The next stage was simple: a huge pile of dark chocolate was melted down and liberally applied to every inch of my body, followed by me being wrapped in tin foil and left to bake. After the chocolate had been left to work its magic for around twenty minutes, it was removed with a warm shower and a cocoa butter was applied to my dry skin to lock in the moisture. My skin was left exceptionally smooth and radiant, with all the dryness and uneven tone being replaced by limbs that were practically glowing. Although it's a rather unusual experience and not one that can be replicated easily at home (unless you have a lot of plastic furniture covering,) it did illustrate the benefits of cocoa and how quickly it set to work.
The Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant lotion contains cocoa too, to leave your skin feeling healthy and glowing. Their rich formula combines pure cocoa butter and the unique Stratys 3 technology, which penetrates deeply to infuse moisture to the top, core and deep layers of the skin. Not only does the range smell delicious, but it feels fabulous and is a complete pleasure to use. I'm going to be putting the products to the test over the next few days and will report back as to the results they provide and the difference I notice in my skin. I may also eat a lot of chocolate too, just to get me in the zone... Although I'm not sure Kinder Eggs count.
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Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant Rich Feeling Lotion is available from Boots. Prices start at £2.99 for a 200ml bottle.
Check out Vaseline on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/vaseline
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Vaseline.
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Dark chocolate provides a multitude of skincare benefits, including repairing dry skin. Iron, Calcium and Vitamins A, B1, C, D and E are among the many nutrients that we can obtain from dark chocolate, all of which help to deeply moisturise dry skin and leave behind a healthy glow. Cocoa also helps to shield against harmful UV rays; Flavonols found in dark chocolate have been clinically proven to help your skin protect itself from sunburn, redness and other signs of UV damage, as well as providing repairing qualities and helping to hydrate skin that has been exposed to the sun. Although slapping on chocolate instead of SPF isn't a good idea, it's great that an ingredient can provide such benefits, even in the colder months when you don't necessarily think of sun care as a top priority. In addition to this, cocoa helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles - even if indirectly. Dark chocolate helps to reduce stress hormones, which leads to less collagen breakdown in the skin that essentially leads to wrinkles becoming more obvious.
So with all that in mind, you can understand why I was a willing participant and went along to experience a full chocolate body wrap at a top London spa. Not only does cocoa provide all the benefits above, but dark chocolate also helps to firm the skin and target problem areas around the thigh and stomach area, as well as helping to reduce cellulite. My body wrap started with a thorough cleanse and exfoliation, followed by a chocolate oil being massaged all over my limbs. The next stage was simple: a huge pile of dark chocolate was melted down and liberally applied to every inch of my body, followed by me being wrapped in tin foil and left to bake. After the chocolate had been left to work its magic for around twenty minutes, it was removed with a warm shower and a cocoa butter was applied to my dry skin to lock in the moisture. My skin was left exceptionally smooth and radiant, with all the dryness and uneven tone being replaced by limbs that were practically glowing. Although it's a rather unusual experience and not one that can be replicated easily at home (unless you have a lot of plastic furniture covering,) it did illustrate the benefits of cocoa and how quickly it set to work.
The Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant lotion contains cocoa too, to leave your skin feeling healthy and glowing. Their rich formula combines pure cocoa butter and the unique Stratys 3 technology, which penetrates deeply to infuse moisture to the top, core and deep layers of the skin. Not only does the range smell delicious, but it feels fabulous and is a complete pleasure to use. I'm going to be putting the products to the test over the next few days and will report back as to the results they provide and the difference I notice in my skin. I may also eat a lot of chocolate too, just to get me in the zone... Although I'm not sure Kinder Eggs count.
Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant Rich Feeling Lotion is available from Boots. Prices start at £2.99 for a 200ml bottle.
Check out Vaseline on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/vaseline
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Vaseline.