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As both a health nerd and skincare fanatic, I’m always looking for ways to naturally improve the condition of my skin. I’ve suffered from moderate to severe acne for almost 15 years, and in that time have tried almost every skincare trick in the book—including (but not limited to) cutting out dairy, investing in organic skincare products, simplifying my makeup routine, and increasing my water intake. But if there’s one thing I won’t do for beauty, it’s give up my daily dose of dark chocolate. (Not. Worth. It.) So imagine my excitement when I discovered a chocolate bar on the market that’s designed to make skin appear younger and healthier.
Yep, you heard me—you can buy candy that makes you prettier. Sound too good to be true? Keep reading to find out.
The “nutritional supplement” I’m referring to, which conveniently comes in the form of 72.6% dark chocolate, is called Esthechoc, and it was developed by scientists to protect skin from the aging process from within. Based on a 4-week, double-blind trial at Cambridge University (in which 3,000 women between the ages of 50 and 60 participated), Esthechoc was proven to significantly reduce inflammation, increase antioxidant activity, and improve microcirculation in the skin by acting as an “inner sunscreen.”
Um, awesome.
Call me a fool—but the minute I read that, I wanted it. Just to test it out, I told myself, for journalistic purposes. (Right.) So, like any responsible married adult with an anniversary coming up, I hinted to Scott the newest item on my wish list. And like any practical husband, he rolled his eyes and laughed at my mention of a “miracle chocolate.” But a few days later, to my surprise, this box arrived on my doorstep:
(He really does love me.)
The Esthechoc box comes complete with 21 individually wrapped chocolate wafers, each weighing in at about 7.5 grams and 38 calories. According to the directions, it is recommended to eat one square per day for the best results. (Exceeding the daily dose won’t do you any good, unfortunately.) After three weeks of taking my chocolate vitamin, this is what happened:
The Good
Despite the creators’ claim that three weeks is all it takes for your skin to appear more nourished, I’ll admit I didn’t experience a dramatic difference in the condition of my skin. My redness didn’t disappear, my skin tone didn’t miraculously even out. And since I don’t really have any wrinkles yet, there wasn’t a noticeable change in that either. HOWEVER, the only time a gnarly zit (read: giant whitehead) cropped up on my face, I was traveling for a few days without my Esthechoc. When I got home and continued taking the supplement, the zit disappeared within an HOUR. Coincidence? Probably not. (One whitehead in three weeks is unheard of for me. Ugh, hormones.) So maybe there is something to this superpower antioxidant-packed treat, after all. Also, the taste did not disappoint. Dark chocolatey bliss!
The Bad
It’s difficult to find. The only two sellers I know of right now are Harrod’s in London and AylaBeauty.com (for American buyers). If you live anywhere else, you might be out of luck.
The Ugly
A 3-week supply of Esthechoc costs $60, not including tax or shipping. That’s $2.86 per square of chocolate/daily dose. Which is, in my opinion, insane for any kind of candy or supplement. I’d say splurging on Esthechoc is comparable to indulging in a facial at a high-end spa once a month, which I definitely can’t afford. But if you’re a rich skincare fanatic, it might just be worth it to you.
There you have it—the good, the bad, and the ugly of Esthechoc. Would I buy it again? Sure, if I had that kind of money to spare. But honestly, I’m fine with any old dark chocolate bar from the grocery store—because, let’s face it, beauty is much more than skin deep and life’s too short to pursue perfection.
Have you tried the beauty chocolate, or would you be interested in trying it?
Co-Founder & Editor | Emily graduated from the University of Texas in December 2013 with a degree in English and journalism under her belt. She currently lives with her husband in Frisco, where she works for a chiropractor and moonlights as a lifestyle blogger. On any given day, you can find her hanging out at a quiet coffee shop, nose-deep in a good mystery novel or snapping photos of her extra frothy cappuccino.
