In pursuit of wellness and aesthetic goals, people have been fascinated with skin treatments and products, for some personal reasons. One particular major reason is that people aiming to look and feel better inside and out consider it as one of the good ways to take good care of themselves.
The thought of skin-pampering treatments, facials, spas, wellness massage services, or anything that has something to do with self-care always excites beauty and wellness chasers.
There are several spa treatments available nowadays, mostly the conventional ones—those that use the usual massage oil and skin-smoothening creams.
There are, however, spas that use unique treatments, like the humble cacao. Yes, that plant from which chocolate is derived. Not many of us know that it’s actually a skin superfood, it has wellness secretes, and has impressive benefits to the skin.
In the past, people only drank cocoa as a bitter liquid or mixed with spices. These days, there are many uses for it, including beverages, chocolates and massage therapy.
Raquel Choa, dubbed the “Chocolate Queen of Cebu” and owner of artisanal chocolate boutique The Chocolate Chamber (TCC), has introduced what wellness enthusiasts dubbed “chocotherapy” and her newest distinct creation, the Cacao Lava. Raquel collaborated with South Palms Resort Panglao, one of the premier tropical paradise destinations in Bohol, to create the Cacao Lava, a pure cacao-based massage cream used for the “Chocolate Spa” now being offered by the resort’s Zenses The Spa.
Cacao Lava is the newest addition to the Raquel Emollience, Choa’s select line of cacao-derived creations for beauty and wellness. It springs from the principles of Ralfe Gourmet, the chocolate company she founded, on passionate innovation in the ever dynamic cacao venture and a culture of excellence in creating cacao products of exceptional quality.
The idea of using chocolate for skincare is just logical once you know about the numerous beneficial ingredients it has. “Chocotherapy” as some would call it is the ultimate indulgence for the skin and senses.
If you want an ingredient that has moisturizing, nourishing, anti-cellulite, exfoliating, and relaxing properties all in one, then chocolate is the right choice for a complete—and luxurious—spa treatment that you will surely love. South Palms’ Zenses Spa now offers this gourmet treatment. Their spa has al fresco cabanas where guests can enjoy rejuvenating treatments and massages from its team of professionals, sure to give them that much needed time for their mental and physical wellbeing.
During the “Chocolate Spa” treatment, the therapist would spread the warm, melted cacao cream all over your body while massaging. Can you imagine getting covered in delicious chocolate from head to toe? It’s definitely a luxury worth enjoying.
Modern science has established that chocolate is a superfood. It does have numerous health benefits to our body. But let’s talk about what really interests us: the skin benefits of chocolate.
Due to cacao’s active components, it relieves anxiety and stress by producing and secreting endorphins in the body. The rich scent and the smooth feel create a relaxing atmosphere during the massage, having a calming effect. It also contains theobromine, which helps to burn fat, and besides, it nourishes, firms, hydrates and moisturizes the skin.
Chocolate therapy also gets rid of cellulite. This type of massage is fast gaining traction nowadays because it has many health-related benefits besides the general ones obtained from a typical massage.
The use of chocolate in spa massage probably stemmed from its extended cosmetic use. For a long time, cocoa has been a coveted ingredient in lotions, creams, oils, and other beauty products. It contains caffeine, a known stimulant, and is rich in antioxidants. These properties, combined with the soothing aroma, helps improve circulation and relieve stress.
It’s something that everyone should experience at least once.