Review: Treat Your Skin with the Placecol Hydro Cocoa Facial
We all know that chocolate is good for the soul. Whether you get your chocolate fix one bite at a time, or by drinking it, there’s no doubt chocolate can help improve your mood and give you a quick boost of energy when you need it most. Chocolate is indeed a delicious treat, but have you ever considered applying it to your skin? The great news is, that chocolate offers all sorts of fabulous benefits for the skin, especially during the harsh winter months, when your skin needs a little extra attention. I popped into Placecol Spa at The President Hotel in Cape Town to experience the Placecol Hydro Cocoa Facial and learn first-hand what chocolate can do for my skin.
The 1-hour Placecol Hydro Cocoa Facial is a sensorial treat for the skin, with multiple treatment steps aimed at hydrating and rejuvenating the skin. The intensive moisturising treatment combines Soft Laser with the power of cocoa to provide long-lasting hydration and restore moisture and suppleness to dry, sensitive, and dehydrated skin.
The key step in this decadent facial is, of course, the rejuvenating cocoa mask. With high levels of anti-oxidants, that protect your skin against free radical damage, cocoa boasts powerful anti-ageing properties, while also assisting in cellular healing to repair the skin. Cocoa is rich in Vitamins A, C, E, B, and D and has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe sensitive skin. High levels of zinc found in cocoa also help to fight against harmful breakout-causing bacteria, while fatty acids work to naturally moisturise the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
If you’re looking for a luxury facial experience this winter, then this is the treatment for you. I was in desperate need of a facial when I arrived at Placecol Spa on a chilly Friday afternoon. My skin was dreadfully dehydrated and sensitive from the change of season and the sudden onslaught of icy cold weather in Cape Town, plus I was struggling with a hormonal breakout on my chin and forehead. To sum up; my skin was in serious need of a pick-me-up, and my visit to Placecol to experience this ultra-calming treatment couldn’t have come at a better time.
The treatment started with a double cleanse using Placecol’s Pre-Cleanse and Clean Start Facial Milk. This was followed by a skin analysis, so my therapist could decide on the best course of products to use on my skin during the treatment. The cleansing step is then followed by an exfoliation with steam to get rid of any dead skin cells and help the products penetrate deeper into the skin. Once my skin was feeling clean and fresh, the therapist treated the skin with a Soft Laser device for 10 minutes. This unique step helps to stimulate the biological processes of the skin, to give you a radiant, glowing complexion.
This step is followed by a selection of Placecol Therapy serums that are applied to the skin to target your specific skin concerns. My therapist created a cocktail just for my skin using the Placecol Vitamin C Radiance Therapy, Moisture Hold Therapy, Rescue Therapy, Collagen Reconstruct Therapy, and Spot-On Therapy. This powerful mix worked to target dehydration, redness, sensitivity, and signs of ageing on my skin while also treating the breakout I was experiencing on my forehead and chin.
Next, it was time for the Rejuvenating Cocoa Mask paired with a relaxing neck and shoulder massage. The peel-off mask smells divine and works to teat your senses while instantly soothing the skin. I could feel the magic of the mask working while it dried on my skin and once it came off my skin felt incredibly refreshed.
The treatment is finished with a toner and a Revitalising Eye Therapy is applied before the Barrier Protect Day moisturiser. Finally, a Sun Protection Spray SPF 15 is applied to protect the skin on your way home from the salon.
My skin felt and looked beyond incredible after this treatment. I couldn’t believe the difference. The redness I was experiencing before the treatment had calmed right down, the breakouts on my skin were significantly reduced (thanks to the deep cleanse), and my skin felt nourished, and super soft.
I cannot recommend this ultra-hydrating, calming treatment enough if you’re battling with sensitive and dehydrated skin this winter. The treatment is just what my skin needed, and I walked out of the spa feeling a lot more confident than when I walked in!
The Placecol Hydro Cocoa Facial is available at selected Placecol, Dream Nails Beauty, and Perfect 10 salons nationwide at R450. Visit the Placecol website for more information.
