Treat your skin with chocolate!

Here at Ethique, we love experimenting with naturally derived ingredients - some of which are readily found in your kitchen cupboard. Make use of that extra chocolate this Easter and try some of our favourite, easy to make DIY recipes. Taking care of your skin has never felt or smelt so good...

Benefits of two key ingredients:

1. Coffee is a great exfoliant. It won’t do anything lasting for cellulite but there is some evidence that caffeine stimulates circulation (albeit temporarily) which can help with fluid retention and congested skin.
2. Cocoa/Chocolate is full of antioxidants which as we know are crucial for a good skincare regime. Chocolate is also full of cocoa butter which is intensely moisturising. 

All recipes below are for 100g batches.

Edible choc body mousse:

• 25g Organic cocoa butter (not the deodorised stuff)
• 30g Sunflower oil
• 25g Coconut oil
• 20g Chocolate (vegan dark chocolate is our recommendation)

1. Place cocoa butter, coconut oil and chocolate into a double boiler and heat till melted.
2. Remove from heat and stir in sunflower oil.
3. Whip at 10 minute intervals, storing in the fridge in between until it becomes solid. Don’t let it set hard, make sure you whip until light and fluffy.
4. Want it vegan? Add dark chocolate instead- doesn’t contain milk.
5. Want to spice it up? Experiment with flavours. Use essential oils, but sparingly and make sure they are food grade if you are going to lick it. Peppermint, chili (but be careful with that one), lavender and sweet orange make great additions.

A less edible/less easily accessible ingredients option:

• 20g Cocoa butter
• 20g Coconut oil
• 10g Candelilla wax
• 45g Apricot Kernal oil
• 5g Tapioca powder (or cornflour)

Mel the cocoa butter, coconut oil and candelilla wax in a double boiler. Add in the apricot kernel oil and the tapioca powder. If you want a firm, more balm like texture, simply pour into a container and wait till it sets. If you prefer a lighter, whipped butter, whip with a stand mixer every 10 minutes, alternating with setting it in the fridge. It will go pale and fluffy as it sets.

Chocolate face and body mask:

• 10g Cocoa powder
• 55g Clay (tailored to your skin needs; bentonite… red, etc etc)
• 10g Finely ground almonds
• 15g Finely ground Oatmeal
• 10g Finely ground coffee

1. Mix all powders together.
2. Add water to make a paste- only make up what you will use as it will go off quickly.
3. Apply to dry skin, leave to dry then wipe off with a face cloth.

Foaming body scrub:

• 20g Liquid soap
• 50g Sugar 50g (again, white is more exfoliating, soft brown is better for face)
• 20g Coconut oil
• 5g Cocoa butter
• 5g Cocoa powder

Melt coconut oil and stir in the liquid soap. Add sugar and cocoa powder. Mix well and leave to harden slightly.

To all scrubs you can add ground coffee, almonds, oatmeal etc for addition scrubbiness and essential oils for fragrance over the chocolate. Never use essential oils neat on the skin.

Chocolate body scrub:

• 10g Cocoa powder
• 45g Sugar (depending on how exfoliating you want it, white sugar for the most scrubbies, soft brown sugar for a lighter polish- perfect for face)
• 10g Baking soda
• 35g Coconut oil

Place all ingredients in a mixer and whip until combined. Depending on the temperature of your house you may need to keep it in the fridge or the coconut oil will melt.