There’s a lot to love about a chocolate massage. Namely, the fact that its a massage… with chocolate. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the idea of luxuriating in a chocolate cocoon is the stuff of dreams – but it is surprisingly healthy too. Used in spa treatments, chocolate can help to moisturize and firm the skin, while the divine smell will make you feel all kinds of happy.
Just in case you still need to be convinced, here are a few of the lesser known benefits of a chocolate massage:
Raw cocoa has a naturally high caffeine content. When it is massaged into the skin, the caffeine helps stimulate blood flow and improve circulation around the body. This is particularly effective if your therapist is practising a rigorous technique such as Swedish massage.
Caffeine is also a popular ingredient in anti-cellulite treatments as it can help to firm and tone up looser skin, so your chocolate massage could actually be helping to undo some of the damage done by your past chocolate indulgences.
Most massages will incorporate essential oils or body lotions, but cocoa butter is already packed full of its own natural oils. What’s more, the detoxing properties of the cocoa mean that the oils seep even deeper into the skin and work for longer to lock moisture in.
Every massage is relaxing, but a chocolate massage is a guaranteed route to bliss. The smell of chocolate stimulates the senses and encourages the body to release endorphins, giving you a natural feeling of happiness and relaxation.
Chocolate contains a range of detoxing ingredients that help to purify and protect your skin. Polyphenol is known for its antioxidant properties, while calcium, potassium and magnesium are all essential when it comes to cell renewal and growth.
Chocolate is a well-known aphrodisiac, and many spas now offer their own version of a chocolate massage just for couples. Bannatyne Spas offer a Chocolate Back, Neck and Shoulders Massage, which begins with warm chocolate being drizzled across your back – what better way to put you in the mood for romance?
We all crave chocolate from time to time, but there is nothing healthy about binge-eating a family-sized bar of Dairy Milk. Our sense of smell and taste are closely related, so you may find that after breathing in chocolatey fumes for half an hour, your chocolate craving is sated. If not, you can always lick your arm…
Stobo Castle
Rockliffe Hall Spa
Nirvana Spa
