“Creamy”, “sweet” and “delicious” are all words we might associate with chocolate. “Anti-ageing skincare miracle”? Not so much. It might seem too good to be true, but now Cambridge scientists have created Esthechoc, a guilt-free chocolate which promises to slow down the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.
It claims to give skin an intense boost of potent antioxidants that keep skin looking young and smooth, even reversing the signs of ageing in under four weeks. I spoke to Esthechoc founder, Dr. Ivan Petyaev to find out more.
What is Esthechoc and what are the active ingredients?
Esthechoc is the world’s first beauty chocolate. Developed by myself and Cambridge Beauty Chocolate, we have created a unique food supplement designed to deliver high levels of astaxanthin, the strongest antioxidant known to science, directly into the body.
As the world’s first functional dark chocolate, Esthechoc boasts incredible skin enhancing properties and a daily portion increases the level of antioxidants in the skin, improving its microcirculation, raising its oxygen level and will ultimately prevent ageing.
Each chocolate is 7.5g and there are 21 pieces per box. One of these chocolates per day will have deliver the same effects as 100g of dark chocolate (Epicatechin Polyphenols) and 300g of Alaskan salmon (astaxanthin). The chocolate is 72.6% cocoa and contains cocoa solids, sugar, reduced fat cocoa powder, cocoa butter, emulsifier, lecithin (from soybeans) and astaxanthin, a proven antioxidant. The chocolate is organic and GM free.
How did the idea come about?
Skin ageing is a natural and long-term process that is sped up by various external and internal factors, such as stress, environmental pollution, poor diet etc. These factors can cause the skin to lose resiliency and firmness, that in turn results in the damage of cells and tissues, and a slowing down of skin regeneration. All these processes may be effectively inhibited by exposure to the right amount of epicatechin polyphenol and the strongest antioxidant known to science: astaxanthin. I have spent ten years conducting comprehensive and independent studies on polyphenols with cocoa and free radicals looking for an effective way to deliver astaxanthin into the body without it being destroyed through the digestion process.
A daily dose of Esthechoc helps the skin to regain its firmness, radiance and luminosity, and when regularly used, it protects skin against the ageing process
How does it differ from regular high cocoa content dark chocolate?
The difference is in the antioxidants present in Esthechoc. The technology behind Esthechoc production is also very significant; it causes the body to absorb as effectively as possible, two antioxidants that contain the strongest anti-ageing properties: cocoa flavanols and astaxanthin carotenoid.
The anti-ageing properties of cocoa have been known for centuries, however, to provide our bodies with a sufficient amount we would need to eat 100 grams of dark chocolate every day, which may result in significant weight gain.100g is equal to over 500 kcal! One Esthechoc bar of 7.5 grams (38 kcal) is enough. This amount contains the same amount of astaxanthin as 10kg of raw seaweed. It slows down or stops the process of free radical formation inside the skin and, therefore, curbs the ageing process.
What are the long term benefits of eating it?
Esthechoc protects skin from ageing and contributes to healthy, luminous and smooth skin. It essentially delivers beauty from within.
Are there any possible side effects?
Obviously, eating large amounts of any type of chocolate is harmful as is the case with any product consumed in excessive amounts. Esthechoc chocolate is healthier than ordinary chocolate but a recommended daily intake – 7.5g a day – needs to be observed.
Is there anybody who shouldn’t use Esthechoc?
Not recommended for children because of the caffeine content in the chocolate.
For more information visit www.esthechoc.com
