Korea's Hottest New Mask is Chocolate. Here's How to Make Your Own!
Skin looking a little dull? Put some chocolate on it!
by Rachelle "Roach"
At least, that’s what everyone who loves Korean beauty products is doing these days. Chocolate masks like the Cacao Brightening Mask from WondeRuci is one of the most popular Korean masks on the market right now.
Aficionados say it gives skin a healthy, vibrant glow, while moisturizing at the same time. Check out the video below to see the mask in action!
People don’t usually think of chocolate as healthy -- and sure, a Snickers bar isn’t exactly diet food. But raw cacao, the seed from which cocoa and chocolate are made, is a superfood chock full of stuff that’s good to both eat and slather on your skin. It’s packed with Vitamin C, the good fatty acids, magnesium, iron, potassium, and tons of other antioxidants. In mask form, you get all these good choco nutrients into your skin. Plus, you get all the indulgences of chocolate with none of the calories (but zero judgement from us if you’re housing some brownies on the side). WondeRuci’s mask is widely available, so you can add it to your next Korean beauty order if you’re curious. Or, you can easily whip up a version of the mask in your own kitchen in just a few steps. Here’s how: Start With the Chocolate
You have some freedom with the type of chocolate you can use. You might use about two large spoons of a good cocoa powder, one that has more natural ingredients than it does preservatives. You could also melt a chocolate bar that contains 70 - 90 percent cocoa. Add the Other Ingredients The best thing about a DIY mask is that you can customize it for your skin. You have the base of the chocolate, and you’re going to want to mix it with a spoonful or two of an oil. Coconut oil is wonderful on the skin, smells great with chocolate, and is a safe bet for all skin types. Another popular option is olive oil.
You can also add about a spoonful of brown sugar. This is a popular ingredient in masks. It’s soothing and incredibly easy on the skin. It gently exfoliates while easing a layer of dead skin off your face, without leaving it blotchy or irritated. If you have oily skin, you might also consider adding about half a spoonful of coarse salt. It will work as a more aggressive exfoliant, drudging up and absorbing more of those unwanted sebum.
Other ingredients you might have around the house, like a mashed banana, rose oil, or honey can all provide some extra nutrients and hydration if you have drier skin. Gently mix all the ingredients together. It's possible to make this a bit ahead of time and let it sit in the refrigerator. Given the fresh ingredients in the mask, though, it's best to use immediately after making it. Use It!
Make sure you gently cleanse your skin before you apply your homemade chocolate mask. It is supposed to work as a brightening agent and a mild exfoliant, not a cleanser. Let yourself relax for 15 - 20 minutes as the mask does its work, and then gently rinse it off with a warm washcloth. The last step? Flaunt that bright, smiling face to the whole world.
