The Truth About Chocolate and Your Skin~

Here's a formula for sensational skin: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and . . . chocolate?

You heard right. When eaten, flavanol-rich cocoa, the main ingredient in dark chocolate, improves skin's texture, thickness, hydration, and blood flow.

It may even boost your skin's defense against the sun by up to 25 percent! How?

It packs serious antioxidant power. Just don't overdo it -- chocolate is high in fat and calories, too. And you still need to wear sunscreen every day.

Chocolate's good for your skin? It's true! Antioxidant compounds in cocoa, called flavanols, improve artery health by boosting blood flow, and that boost may be good for your skin, too. Researchers discovered this chocolate benefit in a study of women who consumed half a cup of cocoa (containing 329 milligrams of flavanols per serving, the amount in a 3-½ ounce serving of dark chocolate) daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the women experienced less skin dryness, scaling, and roughness compared to the beginning of the study. Also, their skin was thicker, exhibited improved blood flow, and was even more resistant to sun damage.

Pretty amazing. Still, don't toss your sunscreen and indulge in mass quantities of chocolate. Consume the sweet in moderation and apply sunscreen every day when you'll be outdoors for 20 minutes or more. For more skin tips, take the RealAge Skin Care Assessment for personalized advice and recommendations.

Tips for Chocolate Lovers

To get the most bang for your bite:

■ Choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70%.

■ Enjoy chocolate in small portions a few times a week. An ounce or two is a sensible serving.

■ Check the label. Avoid chocolate made with palm or coconut oils or any oil that has been hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated.

■ Don't drink milk with your chocolate. Studies show that milk may inhibit the body's ability to absorb the antioxidants.