As a person who loves chocolate, imagine how happy I was when I found out that the Journal of Nutrition just published a study about the skin benefits of drinking cocoa! Yummy cocoa plus good skin!? Sign me up!
Researchers have found that certain components of cocoa may help improve the skin’s hydration, may decrease skin roughness and peeling/scaling, and may also help the skin more effectively defend against UV damage. These skin boosting benefits were attributable to the presence of flavanols, which are particularly rich in cocoa and have previously been found to improve blood flow and functioning of the blood vessels.
In this study, 24 women were assigned to one of two groups. One group drank a high-flavanol cocoa beverage, while the other group consumed the same amount of low-flavanol cocoa over a 12 week period. During this 12 week research cycle, participants were tested three times on the skin quality indicators of skin blood flow, sensitivity to UV radiation, skin hydration, and skin structure and texture.
Women in the high-flavanol group demonstrated significant improvement on all of these indicators of skin quality. Those in the low-flavanol group did not improve on any of these measures. Skin texture, hydration and structure seemed to improve with flavanol consumption.
Though that’s not the only exciting finding. This study is the first to suggest that regular consumption of cocoa flavanols may help the skin’s defense against UV light. In this study, participants in the high-flavanol group showed a reduction in skin sensitivity when exposed to artificial sunlight. This may be due, in part, to the improvement in blood flow to the skin associated with flavanol consumption.
Regular consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa has been shown in other studies to increase blood flow to the skin, and these outcomes were maintained as long as cocoa flavanols continued to be consumed.
So what this means for me? I just might give up my morning cup of tea for a cup of flavanol-rich cocoa with yummy marshmallows. That would give me a really sweet start to every day.
Filed under Nutrition by 
As a person who loves chocolate, imagine how happy I was when I found out that the Journal of Nutrition just published a study about the skin benefits of drinking cocoa! Yummy cocoa plus good skin!? Sign me up!
Researchers have found that certain components of cocoa may help improve the skin’s hydration, may decrease skin roughness and peeling/scaling, and may also help the skin more effectively defend against UV damage. These skin boosting benefits were attributable to the presence of flavanols, which are particularly rich in cocoa and have previously been found to improve blood flow and functioning of the blood vessels.
In this study, 24 women were assigned to one of two groups. One group drank a high-flavanol cocoa beverage, while the other group consumed the same amount of low-flavanol cocoa over a 12 week period. During this 12 week research cycle, participants were tested three times on the skin quality indicators of skin blood flow, sensitivity to UV radiation, skin hydration, and skin structure and texture.
Women in the high-flavanol group demonstrated significant improvement on all of these indicators of skin quality. Those in the low-flavanol group did not improve on any of these measures. Skin texture, hydration and structure seemed to improve with flavanol consumption.
Though that’s not the only exciting finding. This study is the first to suggest that regular consumption of cocoa flavanols may help the skin’s defense against UV light. In this study, participants in the high-flavanol group showed a reduction in skin sensitivity when exposed to artificial sunlight. This may be due, in part, to the improvement in blood flow to the skin associated with flavanol consumption.
Regular consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa has been shown in other studies to increase blood flow to the skin, and these outcomes were maintained as long as cocoa flavanols continued to be consumed.
So what this means for me? I just might give up my morning cup of tea for a cup of flavanol-rich cocoa with yummy marshmallows. That would give me a really sweet start to every day.
Mineral makeup has been gaining in popularity over the past couple of years. First manufactured by independent cosmetic companies, now even major skin care lines are getting in on the action.
Mineral makeup is also popular because it has high usability: the colors are rich and deep, it tends to last longer than other (standard) cosmetics, it may contain natural sunscreens, and it is usually water resistant. It’s also appealing because it’s been advertised as being all natural and non-toxic.
Sure that sounds great- why not choose natural skin care whenever you can?
But just because it’s natural, does it mean it’s good for your face?
Mineral makeup contains ingredients which might cause negative skin reactions.
Most commonly, mineral makeup contains:
Mica. This is also known as sericite or “mica shimmer”. This tends to accumulate in the body and can be difficult to get rid of. Mica has been classified as toxic to the the respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, and has toxicant effects on the liver as well. Although mica-containing cosmetics are popular, and have been approved by the FDA, it doesn’t mean that a whole lot of mica is good for you. Many mineral (and other types) of cosmetics use mica to add shine and shimmer.
Ultramarine. This comes from the stone lapis lazuli. It has long been prized as having special qualities. It was used as a cure for melancholy in the medieval times.
Titanium Dioxide. This has some sunscreen properties and is used as a color additive in cosmetics. I’ve used concealer with titanium dioxide and it worked great on my face, but irritated the skin around my eyes when I dabbed it there. I think some minerals may be too strong for thin skin.
There are other common minerals in mineral makeup, but these are the most frequently used.
Mineral makeup may be a better choice than other cosmetics; after all, mineral makeup is more natural, generally speaking. However, your best bet, always, is to apply any new cosmetics sparingly, and to monitor your skin for any adverse or negative reactions. Remember, your skin absorbs whatever you put directly on it.
Mineral makeup may be great for skin, but it may not always be great for YOUR skin. Try it out and adjust accordingly.
Filed under General Skin Care Information by
