Cocoa antioxidants, called flavonoids, contain a natural sun filter, so the skin becomes more resilient and smooth. These are antioxidants that inhibit the skin's aging processes, so we can hardly get too many of them. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that flavonoids prevent both damage to the cells and inflammation. Cocoa contains large amounts of flavonoids, which are cocoa's answer to antioxidants.