It turns out that Twix bar you axed out of your diet may not be so bad for you after all.
In fact, studies show that small doses of cocoa are good for you. Just like in green tea, the antioxidant levels and polyphenols in cocoa lower blood pressure and combat damage done by free radicals, which cause redness, inflammation, wrinkles and other signs of aging to your skin.
On the beauty front, cocoa not only soothes and nourishes the skin, but it also creates a radiant glow by increasing circulation. Go ahead–get the fix and complexion that you want. Without the calories.
Body
Urban Decay Flavored Body Powders, $12.50-$25, available at urbandecay.com, beautysak.com and Nordstrom
Jaqua Girls Chocolate Sinfully Rich Body Butter, $20, available at aveyou.com and pajamamania.com
Origins Cocoa Therapy Energy-Boosting Body Bar, $10, available at origins.com and Nordstrom
Sephora Chocolate Body Glosser (left), $15, available at sephora.com
Aqua Dessa White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Scrub (right), $33, available at pricegrabber.com
Aqua Dessa Chocolate Milk Foam Body Cleanser, $25, available at bathsplendor.com
Ulta Chocolate Swirl Body Lotion, $5, available at ulta.com
Joey New York White Chocolate Body Shimmer, $24, available at www.essentialdayspa.com
Lips
Too Faced Fat Kiss Chocolate Lip Gloss, $18.50, available at ulta.com
Ganache in Chocolate Almond (above), $4, available at aveyou.com
Crazy Rumors Mocha Lip Gloss (below), $3.50, available at aveyou.com
Hard Candy Lollipop Lip Gloss in Chocolate Caramel Kiss and Raspberry Kiss, $6, available at hardcandy.com
Davies Gate Cocoa Bean Lip Balm (above), $5, available at beautyexclusive.com
Hard Candy Bon Bon Glosses, $18, available at hardcandy.com
Hair
Philosophy 3-1 Double Rich Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash, $30, available at sephora.com and Nordstrom
Bath Fresh Body Market Chocolate Milk Bath (right), $18, available at aveyou.com
Philip B. Chocolate Milk Body Wash (left), $30, available at beautyexclusive.com
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Edited by Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
