The origin of cocoa can be traced to more than 3000 years ago. It was used for nutritional and medicinal purposes by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Cocoa consumption has been linked with numerous health benefits. Cocoa has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cocoa components can downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and their downstream biochemical pathways.¹

The bioactive compounds of cocoa include polyphenols, theobromine, and many essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and iron. Cocoa is rich in polyphenolic compounds with a high amount of flavonoids, particularly flavanols, also known as flavan-3-ols.¹ Cocoa has key roles in skin health. The polyphenols found in cocoa, mainly flavanols, are antioxidants, and have the potential to inhibit lipid peroxidation and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS).¹ Cocoa protects the endothelium from oxidative stress and endogenous ROS.¹

Natural skin moisturizing factors include a large group of components that include amino acids, cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, glycosphingolipids, linoleic acid and glycerin. Cocoa butter is an agent that mimics the lipid content of skin and can help in making dry skin look and feel better.² Cocoa butter has a role in improving skin elasticity and in promotion of healthy collagen production.² A study evaluated the impact of cocoa polyphenols on several indicators of skin elasticity and skin tonus, viz., glycosaminoglycans and collagen I, III and IV. Cocoa polyphenols were found to have a positive action on the parameters assessed. On comparing their activity with a commercially available product, the results revealed that their efficacy was equivalent.³

Cocoa butter has been recognized by the FDA for having skin protective properties.⁴ Cocoa butter is an excellent emollient and an effective moisturizer and skin softener.⁵ Cocoa butter contains large amounts of fatty acids. Cocoa butter is a mixture of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. It is commonly used in skin moisturizers. Cocoa flavanols have been shown to have a role in protecting skin from damage from UV light.⁶

Owing to its high fatty acid content, cocoa butter can easily penetrate deep into the skin and provide hydration from within. Cocoa butter is naturally rich in Vitamin E and a number of other vitamins and minerals. The vitamin E component helps to soothe, hydrate, and balance the skin and provides skin collagen which helps with wrinkles and other signs of ageing.⁷

Thus, the soothing, emollient, and hydrating effects of cocoa butter make it a potential agent in the management of dry skin conditions.

References

1. Scapagnini G, Davinelli S, Di Renzo L, et al. Cocoa Bioactive Compounds: Significance and Potential for the Maintenance of Skin Health. Nutrients. 2014 Aug; 6(8): 3202–3213.
2. Gyedu-Akoto E, Amon-Armah F, Oddoye EOK. Production and Marketing of Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter Based Body Pomadesas A Small Scale Business in Ghana. Asian Journal of Business and Management 2015;3(5):385-91.
3. Gasser P, Lati E, Peno-Mazzarino L, et al. Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuring. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2008 Oct;30(5):339-45.
4. Correa MCM, Nebus J. Management of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: The Role of Emollient Therapy. Dermatol Res Pract. 2012; 2012: 836931.
5. Duke JA. The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions: Herbs, Foods, and Natural Formulas to keep You Young Anti-aging prescriptions. Rodale, USA; 2001.
6. Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. Cocoa and Chocolate in Human Health and Disease. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011 Nov 15; 15(10): 2779–2811.
7. Leng MS, Njinkoue JM, Ndjouenkeu R. Uses and quality assessment of cocoa butter sold in retail markets in Yaounde capital city, Cameroon. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research 2016;7(11):142-57.