Easter eggs - the new beauty secret?
Research out this week has shown that the latest must-have product for glowing skin is...the humble Easter egg. Great news for those of us who are trying to resist the lure of seasonal treats but don't want to see them go to waste.
Dr Celine Peau, of Pore Activation Research in Paris (PARP), reveals that cocoa solids have long been investigated for their skin-enhancing properties and that researchers are hugely excited by these brand-new findings.
"Parisian women are known for their healthy diet and their avoidance of sweet things," she said. "But that doesn't mean they can't appreciate other uses for high fat products at specific times of the year and we are sure that this will catch on globally in no time at all."
And it makes sense - after all, we've used honey, avocados and cucumbers as part of our regimes for years. Other foodstuffs were bound to follow suit.
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Leading expert Valerie Blague of Tromper Skincare agrees that the findings are timely: "We often hear about the bad press that Easter eggs get. Now, at a time when many households find themselves with an excess, it's great that there are such beneficial ways to use it."
But beware - not all eggs suit all skin types.
For oily skin stick to dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids). We have found Green and Blacks and Lindt to be most effective at reducing shine when applied as a face mask for up to 10 minutes.
For combination skin, Blague recommends white chocolate as the best option: "It creates a really desirable, healthy glow." We recommend this Thorntons egg, although be sure to skip the milk chocolate icing, as using two types of chocolate together can counteract the skincare benefits.
For dry skin, milk chocolate has been found to work the best due to its hydrating properties. This Cadbury's egg does the trick, while leaving skin super smooth. Note that if you buy a filled egg, you will need to remove the sweets before using.
Alternatively, rather than melting the chocolate, a large Easter egg half shell can be placed over the face for 15 minutes to achieve similar effects to a sheet mask. Just make sure you cut holes out of the shell around the eye and mouth area. "Placing the egg over your face can maximise its skincare benefits," says Blague: "Just make sure you select the right type of chocolate for your skin."
(Safety note: it goes without saying that you should avoid using anything incorporating other large ingredients such as fruit, nuts and so forth. Any chocolate that includes popping candy should be kept well away from the eyes.)
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Images: Shutterstock