Spa Retreats: The Chocolate Addicts' Spa Treatment

With celebrities such as Orlando Bloom, Robbie Williams and Shakira all self confessed chocolate addicts, awareness of the health and beauty benefits of chocolate is rapidly growing. And responding to the demand, a Sydney spa has developed a range of delectable face and body treatments especially with chocoholics in mind.

The spa at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Circular Quay has recently launched a powerful and exclusive new Anti-Ageing Organic Chocolate Facial (which you can actually eat) as part of a ‘Stay Sweet’ Chocoholics package.

This yummy organic Chocolate Facial includes high quality natural raw cacao (cocoa) powder packed with antioxidants (reportedly twice more than in red wine and three times more than in green tea), aloe vera, honey and vitamins. This ‘ultimate in sin’ treatment starts with a deep cleanse and a gentle microdermabrasion with mother of pearl, following on with a bamboo lymphatic drainage facial massage to boost metabolism. Finally, the moment all chocoholics will have been waiting for: the edible warm organic chocolate mask followed by a rich cocoa butter moisturiser to ensure you melt into the experience. Take it from me - your skin will be stimulated, toned and velvety soft, uplifting you with a delicious aroma that’s good enough to eat.

This facial is suitable for all skin types, and the chocolate face mask consists of 50% pure cocoa powder from Holland, honey which is antibacterial, oatmeal which is soothing and ideal for treating skin sensitivity or skin conditions and finally yoghurt, which contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliant for the skin. As for chocolate's benefits to the skin there are many. It helps to reduce free radicals - those wrinkle causing molecules. The rich cocoa butter moistures and softens the skin. And the delicious aroma stimulates happy feelings, promoting a feeling of wellbeing.

The price of the facial is A$135 for a 60 minues, or A$75 for a half-hour. Alternatively, there's an anti-ageing chocolate full body body wrap and exfoliation and while this one is not edible, it’s still a delicious way to escape the real world.