Theobroma cacao, the chocolate tree, contains approximately 380 compounds – many of which play a huge part in cocoa being a superfood. The physics and chemistry of cocoa beans is very complex and changes throughout the life of the bean, depending on the processing it receives. Cocoa and cocoa ingredients are important sources of phytocompounds with therapeutic value for the skin. A growing body of scientific evidence is starting to show that cocoa components with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities contribute to photoprotection of the skin and are used for the maintenance of skin health. Cocoa still requires further clinical trials to fully demonstrate that it can play an important role in topical application and skincare.
Polyphenols
Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. However, the amount of polyphenols depends on how the cocoa was processed and treated.
The polyphenols found in cocoa include:
- Catechin (also found in green tea)
- Gallocatechin (also found in green tea)
- Epigallocatechin (also found in green tea)
- Procyanidin (also found in many fruits – formed from catechins)
- Resveratrol (also found in grapes)
- Anthocyanins (also found in colourful fruits)
Xanthines
Xanthines are aromatic organic compounds which occur widely in nature. Cocoa is rich in two well-known xanthines which are astringent and can work in anti-cellulite treatments:
- Caffeine (also found in coffee)
- Theobromine (also found in tea and kola nut)
What do cocoa polyphenols do on the skin?
We know that ingesting cocoa polyphenols can have great benefits for our skin. In particular, antioxidants found in cocoa protect the skin from the inside by neutralising oxidative stress, a major factor of skin structure deterioration and premature skin ageing. But what does cocoa do when applied to the outside of our skin?
The skin application of cocoa polyphenols has therefore been shown to positively affect several parameters of skin elasticity and skin tone. Moreover, cellular studies and results from topical application studies provide evidence that cocoa polyphenols, especially those belonging to the flavanol family, can offer effective photoprotection – they minimise the damage the skin undergoes when exposed to UV radiation.
Cocoa components have also been utilised in skin conditions, such as acne and wound healing. It is interesting to note that is has been shown that cocoa has great potential not only for the treatments of certain skin conditions, but also for their prevention.
