Can Eating Chocolate Clear Your Skin?

By now we all know that chocolate doesn't cause acne. But could it in fact cure it? And what about green tea? We've heard of its health benefits, but will the equivalent of 30 cups a day erase our wrinkles too? Here's what the experts say.

Borba Clarifying Chocolate Bar ($8)

The claim: “Helps reduce redness and irri­tation [and] helps improve skin's clarity and prevent breakouts"

Ingredients: Omega-3 fatty acids, cocoa polyphenols, pomegranate, vitamin C, vita­min B 12

            The bar is essentially a dark-chocolate base infused with the "Borba clarifying blend” -- a secret concoction of botanical ingredients, vitamins, and minerals. Scot Vincent Borba, CEO and founder of Borba Nutraceuticals, recommends one bar a day but insists that even with one bar a week, you'll see a major difference in a month.

Expert opinion: The omega-3 fatty acids could help reduce the inflammation that leads to acne, says Tanya Edwards, M.D., medical director for the Center for Integra­tive Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Cocoa polyphenols and pomegranate are good sources of antioxidants, she says, which protect the skin from free-radical damage, making it healthier in general.

Our tester says: "My skin looks the same. Of course, as a chocoholic, I worry I'm aggravating my acne-despite the studies. But eating this bar puts my mind at ease."

Borba Skin Balance Confections (Gummi or Jelli Boosters, $25)

The claim: "Helps the skin regenerate its natural support system. . . while removing toxins and improving clarity"

Ingredients: Acai-berry, green-tea, and grape-seed extracts

            Borba says that acai, a Brazilian berry with extremely high antioxidant potency, increases the skin's production of collagen. He claims that with only six candies a day, you'll see improved skin clarity, radiance, firmness, and tone in just one week.

Expert opinion: Though it's true that acrai berries are considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants, there's no way to tell how much, if any, of their antiaging benefits are in this product. Stephen T. Talcott, Ph.D., an associate professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida, says, "I find that antioxidant values vary among commercial acai or acai-blended products." Edwards is impressed with the green tea and grape seed. "Some studies show that these ingredients can help prevent collagen breakdown," she says.

Our tester says: "Yummy, with a bitter aftertaste. Within a few days, my rosacea was less pronounced, and my skin wasn't inflamed aftrer a full day at the beach."

Dr. Brandt Anti-Oxidant Water Booster ($35)

The claim: "May fight free-radical damage [and] maintain younger-looking skin"

Ingredients: Green-tea, white-tea, and grape-seed extracts

            New York and Miami-based dermatolo­gist Fredric Brandt, M.D., says that "theo­retically, this product should help prevent wrinkling." He admits the studies have been done on animals but hopes the results will translate to humans. He claims that one dropperful (the equivalent of more than 15 cups of green tea) twice a day will make your skin look tighter, less irritated, and clarified.

Expert opinion: "Green tea, white tea, and grape seed are all highly antioxidant and have a real potential for antiaging," says Edwards. "However, I say potential because they haven't been studied extensively in humans."

Our tester says: "I didn't notice a difference in my skin. But I love that it's an easy way to

get my antioxidants rather than taking pills or brewing endless pots of green tea."