What is Cocoa Powder?
Cocoa powder is an unsweetened dark brown colored powder that is extracted from cocoa beans. Cocoa beans grow in pods in the cacao tree.
To get cocoa powder, the cocoa beans are fermented, dried, roasted and cracked. This forms cocoa nibs which are then ground up which gives up two substances: cocoa butter and a brown paste called chocolate liquor. After pressing out the fat, the chocolate liquor is dried again and the mass is ground to powder. This gives us unsweetened cocoa powder!
1. Skin Repair
Yes, cocoa powder helps repair skin cells! That’s because it is packed with antioxidants that fight off free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal oxygen from skin cells to balance themselves. In the process, they make skin cells lose oxygen and become lifeless. This causes a variety of skin problems like blemishes, dull looking skin and more. So make a cocoa powder face mask to repair your skin cells and rejuvenate your face!
2. Improves Skin’s Hydration
Did you know that cocoa powder can actually improve its natural hydration? This works when you consume cocoa powder or apply it on your skin!
3. Exfoliates Dead Cells
Cocoa powder has a gentle exfoliating texture that helps slough off dead cells on skin. It is good for carefully exfoliating sensitive or acne prone skin without irritating it.
4. Fights Acne & Pimples
I recently shared a cacao face mask for acne and it works wonders in reducing the appearance of acne and pimples. Cocoa lessens redness and inflammation caused by acne.
5. Prevents Sun Damage
You know when they say ‘eat your sunscreen.’ Well add cocoa powder to your list of sunscreen foods because it helps prevent sun damage! A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2006 showed that a group of women given a flavanol rich cocoa drink showed 15% less reddening of the skin when exposed to UV light. This is due to its high antioxidant content which fights off free radicals generated when UV light hits the skin.
6. Improves Skin Complexion
Cocoa can improve your skin complexion, making it brighter and clearer! The flavonoids in it nourish the skin, boost its elasticity and help reduce blemishes that make skin dull.
7. Firms Skin
The caffeine and theobromine found in cocoa powder make skin firm, taut and toned. That’s because they help break down fats and eliminate excess fluid retention. So if you have sagging skin, puffy skin and even under eye bags, try making a mask out of cocoa powder and applying it to your face for a few minutes.
8. Makes Hair Shiny & Soft
Cocoa powder isn’t just good for skin, it’s great for hair too! It contains a significant amount of sulfur, which is one of the most important minerals for hair health. Consuming cocoa powder makes your hair shiny and soft naturally.
9. Darkens Hair Naturally
This delicious powder doesn’t just stop at making hair soft and shiny! It also gradually darkens hair and helps cover up grays. So if you’re a brunette, try making a cocoa hair mask or even mixing cocoa powder in warm water and using it as a hair rinse.
10. Slows Down Aging of Skin
Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants called flavonols. The powerful antioxidant properties of flavonols help fight free radicals, hence making skin youthful for longer. Consume cocoa powder and also use it externally to plump your skin cells and fight premature wrinkles!
11. Reduces Cellulite
Enjoy the cellulite clearing powers of cocoa powder! Because of its caffeine and theobromine content, cocoa powder helps drain fatty cells, promote flow of excess fluids out of the body which helps clear off cellulite by firming and tightening the skin. Drink cocoa powder and also make a cocoa coffee scrub to help you with this!
12. Add to your Dry Shampoo
DIY dry shampoo is all the rage these days and what’s more is that it’s so easy to make! Cocoa powder is one of the main ingredients for brunette or dark hair types. Here’s how to make dry shampoo with cocoa powder:
SOURCE: https://beautymunsta.com/beauty-benefits-of-cocoa-powder/
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Zanabella Products that contain pure COCOA!
Mint Chocolate Lip & Hand Butter Balm
​Invigorating Tea Soap

There are a few ways to extract essential oils but below is a video using the Steam Distillation Method. The essential oils are purified oils from the plant and the essence or hydrosol is the purified water from the extraction process. Extracting essential oils and hydrosols has been going on for thousands of years! Here is a link with some good information about the history of essential oil production. How Are Essential Oils Extracted?
​CLICK HERE FOR HERBAL AROMATHERAPY MIST PRODUCT INFORMATION

Regarding Dogs: You can use almost any of your Zanabella products on your dogs for their dry pads or skin with a few exceptions including the Mint Chocolate Lip & Hand Butter Balm(CONTAINS CHOCOLATE) and the Glycolic Tonic(CONTAINS GLYCOLIC ACID).
Personally, I massage my dog's coat with the French Lavender Body Creme and I use a small amount of the Triple Healing Salve for his paws in the winter. Also, especially for those in the city, gently cleanse the paws after coming in from walks. The street and sidewalk salt is super damaging to their skin. Make sure that your pet has a calm environment as well as a balanced diet and is properly hydrated because dry skin can be a reflection of stress, inadequate nutrition and/or dehydration.
Regarding Kitties: I know it's tempting to share your Zanabella products on all your loved ones but.. the best thing for your cat is just a small amount of Zanabella Shea Butter or pure coconut oil. Just massage a small amount onto their pads and coat but only if needed. And just the same with dogs-Make sure that your kitty has a calm environment as well as a balanced diet and is properly hydrated because dry skin can be a reflection of stress, inadequate nutrition and/or dehydration.

The very basic answer is YES they are. They can be toxic to birds as well. Dogs, on the other hand,  have a system that is much similar to humans so dogs are not affected in the same way.
​The big culprits are the oils that contain PHENOLS, KETONES and D-LIMONENE. Basically all the most awesome ones for us humans!
A lot of people refer to cats as being "allergic" to essential oils which makes people think "Well they're not sneezing so I guess they're fine". Cats may not exhibit any external reaction initially, although, internally they may be suffering. 
​Always use caution when using diffusers and mists. Make sure the oils are out of reach of all animals and children. Never spray your cat directly with an aromatherapy mist containing essential oils. Most importantly, never apply or treat your cats directly with pure essential oils or products that are heavy with them(like certain natural over the counter flea medicine). Some say there are certain oils that are OK to use but personally, I'd rather be safe and just not do it.
​Long story short-keep this in mind and practice common sense. Your kitty is fine and good if you wear essential oils or use products that contain them. Just know that these products are for you and not them.
​Click here for a short article on the subject.

In Hebrew, Zana means Graceful Lily. In other regions of the world, Zana stands for Knowing and Wisdom. Some know of the Zână as mythical woodland creatures similar to or the same as fairies. Bella means beautiful. So Zanabella embraces the Beauty, Grace, Magic and Wisdom of Mother Nature Herself.

Yes we do! Valoree & Co ships to about 60 countries including most of Europe, North America and Australia. We can ship your products directly to it's intended destination if you are ordering as a gift. If you want to know exact shipping rates and/or countries-email Zanabella@Zanabella.com or contact us on the Contact Page.

Almost all Zanabella products are completely UNISEX. For example, the products that are also aromatherapy like the mists, perfumes, body crèmes, etc., smell different on different people. They combine with your own body chemistry and so it's more about your own chemistry and how it blends with the product and if that scent is pleasing to you.
​There are only a few products that stray from this. The Beard Oil is mostly for men but does make a suitable over all hair oil for any gender. The English Rose Scent(Hand Butter & Perfume) is more on the feminine spectrum. 

Yes they are, 100%!