Have you ever put chocolate on your face? Try it with our easy facial recipe! Pic: Harriet Mallinson

This Easter, why not put the sweet treats to good use: relax, unwind and bask in the indulgent smells of  chocolate… on your face.

Not only is chocolate a delicious delight to satisfy those sugar cravings, it can do wonders for your skin.  According to the good spa guide, the antioxidant concentration in cocoa beans is twice that of red wine, two to three times that of green tea, and four to five times that of black tea.

Combining the hydrating properties of dark chocolate with other natural ingredients can create easy and effective skin treatments. Fresh lemon is known to brighten and cleanse, the lactic acid in yogurt is great for unclogging pores, brown sugar acts as an effective exfoliator and some mashed avocado helps to hydrate and moisturise.

EastLondonLines did the hard work for you and put together this simple, three-ingredient recipe to make your own rejuvenating facemask at home.

Ingredients

200g 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate

Half a lemon

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Method

Break the chocolate into small pieces (don’t eat it yet though!)

Put the chocolate into a heat-proof bowl and place in the microwave

Heat at 30 second intervals to avoid burning the chocolate

Stir regularly until the chocolate is smooth and glossy

Squeeze half a lemon into the chocolate

Stir in the lemon juice, and the mixture should thicken slightly

Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Stir until the mixture is fully combined

Dollop a spoonful of the facial mixture on the back of your hand for ease of application  (ok, go on, you can try a little at this stage)

Use your fingers to spread the grainy paste on to clean, dry skin, avoiding the lips and delicate eye area.

Leave the mask to work it’s magic for 15-20 minutes

Wash off with warm water to reveal bright, soft and smooth skin!

Now get to work and lick the bowl clean!

Words by Jazmin Kopotsha