By Dana Oliver ·Updated February 3, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
In an industry where there is an overwhelming amount of product launches daily, Product Of The Week helps you cut through the noise. To help you find your new beauty and wellness favorites, this series highlights the tried-and-true products that our writers can’t live without.
When I was a teenager perusing the drugstore, I’d always stop in front of the display that showcased tubes of the most popular face exfoliant. I wondered if massaging it onto my brown skin would make it just as “perfect” as the young white girls who starred in the brand’s commercials. But little did I know back then the damage that apricot scrub did to the skin barrier.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I try to make smarter choices about the products I put onto my body. So just imagine how excited I was when board-certified dermatologist Dr. Naana Boayke offered to send me a more gentle exfoliant from her namesake skincare line. And it couldn’t have arrived at a more convenient time, as I had been struggling with acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to perimenopause.
Hormonal stressors, motherhood challenges, and shifts in work led to me oversimplifying my skincare routine. The consequences of not exfoliating consistently were written all over my face. There were dry, flaky patches along my T-zone and breakouts I’d rather leave in the hands of an esthetician.
When I unscrewed the jar of the Cocoa Brightening Gel Mask and peeled back the safety label, the first thing I noticed was the chocolatey smell. It is rich, but not overpowering. According to Dr. Boayke, that instant sensory experience is intentional.
“Self-care should feel luxurious, calming, and personal,” she tells ESSENCE. “But this mask isn’t just about smell, it’s powered by clinically-proven acids like mandelic and lactic acid.”
That duo of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) is highly recommended by the derm for effectively resurfacing the skin to achieve a brighter, more even complexion. Cocoa that’s sourced from Ghana is not only a beautiful nod to Dr. Boayke’s homeland in support of local farmers, but it’s also loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols that soothe inflammation and defend against environmental stressors and free radicals.
When it came to selecting a mechanical exfoliant that wouldn’t cause severe damage, Dr. Boayke chose jojoba beads for this formula. Why? She explains that they deliver a natural boost of moisture without clogging pores, are biodegradable and safer for the environment, and complement the chemical exfoliants to give skin a softer finish.
“This mask is multi-layered by design,” she says. “It’s science, culture, and luxury, all in one ritual,” she says.
I did my big one for the culture and used the Cocoa Brightening Gel Mask twice a week faithfully for three months. After cleansing my face, I applied the mask with a small skincare spatula. I prefer using a tool because it minimizes getting excess product stuck under my long fingernails and it helps with an even application. The instructions suggest leaving it on for two minutes, but I’ll admit there were times I went over the 120 seconds mark because it feels and smells so good! It also allowed me to ease into my nighttime routine, not rushing this moment of self-care.
I love that the mask didn’t make my face feel tight, as it dried. In fact, when it was time to remove the exfoliant, it melted off with warm water. The gel mask’s brown tint from the cocoa also guided me in thoroughly cleansing my face and neck.
How has the Cocoa Brightening Gel Mask healed my perimenopausal skin? Immediate results include supple texture. While this product can be used in the morning or evening, I prefer nighttime because it layers well with my ceramide drops so that I wake up with healthier, hydrated skin. I also noticed how the mask worked as a targeted treatment to reduce swelling when I could feel a blackhead forming.
As the weeks went on, dark spots gradually faded and dead skin cells sloughed away much easier where I felt confident again posting selfies on the ‘gram. And while I’m just entering the throes of perimenopause, adding this mask to my regimen has made it enjoyable to tackle skin changes.
TOPICS: face mask facial exfoliation Product Of The Week
The post Product Of The Week: Dr. Naana Beauty Cocoa Gel Mask appeared first on Essence.
