If you’ve ever wanted an excuse to slather chocolate all over your face, now’s your chance! This indulgent chocolate face mask not only smells (and tastes!) delicious, but it will also detox your skin and leave you with a glowing, gorgeous face.
This face mask combines bentonite clay and raw cacao powder for a simple face mask that will help you nourish and protect your skin, smooth out your skin tone, and leave you with clean, clear, healthy skin.
Who knew that chocolate could be low-carb, calorie-free, and so good for you?
Read on to learn why and how you should make your own cocoa powder face mask, and how to make it ahead of time for a chocolatey gift!
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Benefits of a chocolate face mask
You should try out a chocolate face mask because it’s yummy.
Need more reasons? Not just does it smell amazing, but also because it’s fantastic for your skin! (Read on to find out why.)
This face mask is also easy to make zero waste if you buy ingredients at a bulk store.
Related: Creative ways to use less plastic
No more single-use plastic clutter in your bathroom! All you need are a few small mason jars to store your dry cocoa face mask… or give it away as a gift!
Also, just taking the time to give yourself a chocolate face mask is a great way to practice self-care.
Related: How to use self-care to have a better day
There are also some pretty great benefits to ditching those toxic, conventional store-bought masks.
Toxin-free skincare
Did you know that what you put on your body ends up inside your body?
Your skin absorbs anything you put on it, and, unfortunately, most skincare products don’t rate too high when it comes to toxins.
Toxic ingredients are a staple in storebought face masks and clays too. Even Lush, a brand that works hard to appear ‘all-natural’, is guilty!
The Lush Chocolate Cupcake face mask has linseed (not good for your skin) and fragrance (code word for carcinogens and other toxins, and unbearable for people with chemical sensitivities).
Related: Multiple chemical sensitivity- everything you need to know and how to detox!
EWG’s cosmetic database says that “fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.” (source)
It’s a sneaky ingredient, but I’d recommend staying away from any cosmetics (or other personal care items) that have the words “fragrance” or “parfum” on the ingredient list.
But this homemade chocolate facial mask? No more toxins here- this face mask actually helps you detox!
Bentonite clay for skin detoxing
Bentonite clay is an absorbent clay that comes from volcanic ash. This type of clay has been used for thousands of years as a traditional healing method.
When bentonite clay is combined with a liquid, it expands and draws out toxins. When applied to your skin, it helps with detoxing by gently removing toxins and bacteria. This can help with infections such as dermatitis. (source)
Bentonite clay also cleanses and hydrates your skin and reduces inflammation.
If you want to ensure that your chocolate face mask is edible and safe for kids, double-check that you’re getting food-grade bentonite clay that can be ingested.
I recommend bentonite clay from Starwest Botanicals.
If you need more tips on how to gently and safely detox, make sure to check out my post on multiple chemical sensitivity and how to detox!
Cacao for your skin
High-quality dark chocolate is a healthy mood-boosting snack, but did you know there are also benefits in using chocolate for your skin?
Your face will love the benefits of using a cocoa face mask!
It's best if you can use raw cacao powder. A face mask made from regular processed cocoa will still be good, but it won't be quite as potent.
A raw cacao face mask will give you more antioxidants, which help to protect your skin from the effects of aging. This is because the antioxidants neutralize oxidative stress, protecting your skin from the inside out!
The antioxidants in raw cacao also help to guard against inflammation.
Cacao is loaded with flavonols and polyphenols, which smoothes your skin and stimulates blood flow, giving you a healthy glow. These ingredients also nourish and moisturize your skin and help to fight UV damage from the sun.
Besides just feeling like a luxurious chocolate facial spa, there are some pretty great perks for your skin when you use a cocoa face mask!
Chocolate face mask recipe
It's best to use raw cacao powder and high-quality bentonite clay for your cacao skin mask.
You can substitute some of the liquid for apple cider vinegar if you'd like to get some extra detoxing- just be aware that it will overpower any chocolate scent, and it might leave your skin a little pink!
One fun option is to just mix a quarter cup (or more) of each of the dry ingredients. Then store it in a jar and give it as a gift (with instructions) or keep it handy for yourself!
If you've made your mask ahead of time, anytime you want to make a mask just use two teaspoons of the dry ingredients and combine with one teaspoon of water in a small bowl.
Cacao face mask
This decadent chocolate face mask is easy to make with only three simple ingredients. A cacao face mask not only smells incredible, it also helps to smooth out your skin tone, protect your skin, and even detox!
Ingredients
- 1 tsp raw cacao
- 1 tsp bentonite clay
- 1 tsp water (can substitute apple cider vinegar or milk)
Instructions
Combine the cacao and bentonite clay in a small bowl. (Avoid using a metal bowl or spoon. Metal reacts with bentonite clay and makes it less effective.)
For immediate use, add water (or apple cider vinegar) and mix with your finger, adding more liquid if needed until a smooth paste forms.
Use your fingertips to cover your face in a thin layer of the mixture.
Let your mask sit on your face for 10 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry afterwards.
Leave your mask on your face for about 10 minutes.
The paste doesn’t need to dry completely for you to experience the full benefits of your detox mask- you can remove it right after it starts to dry out and feel a bit tight on your skin.
To remove, use warm water and either a soft washcloth or your hands to gently apply water to loosen the mask. Wash your face in small, circular motions. Don’t scrub off the mask, and be especially gentle on the sensitive skin around your eyes.
Your skin might look a little pink afterward but that’s normal.
Follow up with a high-quality face oil or moisturizer (I recommend Earthley's moisturizer, it's made of herbs and essential oils and comes in two formulas, for dry or oily skin)
And, of course, help yourself to another bite of chocolate!
Enjoy!
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