Hands up who bit on to this spring’s sweet treat craze Dubai Chocolate? Here’s how it can inspire your beauty routine too!
If you’re on TikTok , you will have seen the Dubai chocolate craze linked to a luxury chocolate bar which combines the flavours of chocolate, pistachio and tahini with filo pastry, inspired by the traditional Arab dessert, Knafeh.
The original bar called Can’t Get Knafeh of it by FIX chocolatier has been sold exclusively in the UAE since 2022 but it’s become so popular on social media that at some times this spring it has only on sale for two hours a day, selling out in a matter of minutes.
Yezen Alani who founded FIX with his wife Sarah Hamouda says the attention their chocolate has been getting was ‘flattering and humbling’ explaining that the inspiration behind the original ingredient combo was the cravings Hamouda had while she was pregnant!
Bought up in the UK, the couple moved to Dubai and believe the reason their chocolate bar has been in such high demand is the way it’s marketed: price £15 and only available on an app at certain times of the day.
@mariavehera257 @fixdessertchocolatier WOW, JUST WOW!!! Can’t explain how good these are! When a chocolate, a dessert and a piece of art meet this is what you get! ???? "Can't Get Knafeh of it," "Mind Your Own Busicoff," and "Crazy Over Caramel." Order on Instagram Chatfood or Deliveroo and let me know what’s your FIX? Instagram : fixdessertchocolatier #asmr #foodsounds #dubai #dubaidessert ♬ оригинальный звук – mariavehera257
While the chocolate had always sold well, it was influencer Maria Vehera that gave ‘Dubai Chocolate’ its cult status. Her fun reel showing her trying it for the first time was viewed over seven million times and has spawned a whole range of copycat bars. Famous chocolatier Lindt now sell one for £10 and you can pick up a bargain bar at Lidl for just £4.99 but while these can be enjoyed on the go, the original Fix bar is more like a dessert and needs to be kept in the fridge.
Two British-based skin doctors believe eating pistachios and chocolate can benefit your health and skin, too. Dr Amiee Vyas, says pistachios are filled with protein, healthy fats, fibre and various vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B6, Copper and Potassium, which all offer fantastic skin benefits. She says: ‘Pistachios have a high antioxidant content which can protect your skin against UV damage, promote hydration and reduce visible signs of ageing whilst giving the skin a youthful glow!’
While you’re choosing pistachios as a snack you can also make your own DIY face mask by making a paste out of pistachios and applying it to the skin, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water.
Dr Nima at holistic therapy clinic Remedi London, explains how the cacao ingredient in chocolate can be helpful for skin and energy levels. He says: ‘Cacao is a rich food source that’s packed with fibre, antioxidants and minerals including magnesium, iron and potassium. Magnesium is essential for bone health, muscle function and nerve function, iron is crucial for carrying oxygen throughout the body and preventing anaemia while potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and heart function.
Cacao can also be used as a healing medicine during Sound Healing. Dr Nima reveals: ‘Cacao ceremonies are a type of Shamanic healing, Cacao can help open the heart and allow individuals to access and release deeply buried emotions and bring clarity and focus when we are feeling unclear and bring the body back into balance of all levels.”
Ready to get you Dubai Chocolate inspired beauty fix:
- Dip your nails in perfect pistachio shade using Swiss beauty brand Mavala’s creamy Pistachio shade, £6.40, and deliciously on trend at mavala.com.
- Spritz your spring style with Bristow’s Sol Fiesta Dry Shampoo, Ideal for creating lift and volume, this multi award winning formula has recently won Best Dry Shampoo in 2025 Hair Awards and has a tempting caramel and pistachio scent, £1.49 for 200ml at Amazon and B & M Bodycare.
- Smooth and revive spring skin with Evolve Organic Beauty Glow 2i n 1 Mask Scrub that customers dub the ‘chocolate mask’ for its amazing scent and benefits.
Rich in raw cacao powder and clay to revitalise and purify sluggish skin, it’s the dead cell buffing coconut particles combined with sweet almond oil that leave skin feeling soft and smooth. Use regularly to help promote cells repair and rejuvenation, £26 at evolvebeauty.com.
- Organically grown pistachios from Sicily are used in the Irene Forte collection of luxurious skin and body products. We love the Pistachio Hand & Body Cream with nourishing pistachio oil, an omega oil complex together with Mexican arnica to help soften and calm dry skin, £50, ireneforteskincare.co.uk
