Coconut Oil for Skin: The Unexpected Benefits - YesWellness
Coconut Oil for Skin: The Unexpected Benefits
We all know the benefits of including coconut oil in our diets, but do you know what happens when you use coconut oil for skin care?
Before diving into the benefits of coconut oil for skin, let’s take a look at where it comes from and how it works.
Coconut oil comes from the coconut palm tree, which is often referred to as “The Tree of Life.”
A refined product by nature, coconut oil does not grow on a tree. Manufacturers have to extract the oil from the kernel or meat of harvested coconuts. Technically speaking, the only truly “unrefined” coconut oil people can consume is the oil still inside the meat from a fresh coconut just picked off the tree. The least refined type is virgin coconut oil. Organika coconut oil, for example, is cold-pressed from the meat of the coconut.
Coconut oil is mainly made up of saturated fats. Containing a high amount of medium chain fatty acids (MCT), a good percentage of which is lauric acid, (1) coconut oil contains vitamin E, which is known to protect the skin from free radical damage. Vitamin E contributes to silky hair and smooth, younger looking skin.
Using Coconut Oil for Skin
People use coconut oil in many natural beauty products, and for good reason.
Coconut oil also contains a high-fat content, which can improve certain skin conditions by healing wounds, reducing rashes and preventing breakouts.
If you suffer from acne, you may notice an increase in breakouts when first using coconut oil. This is because coconut oil draws impurities out of the skin. So give it time and keep consistent to notice results. When it comes to acne, make sure that your diet consists of loads of vitamins and nutrients, because you are what you eat!
Can Coconut Oil Reduce Pigmentation?
You know those pesky dark spots? Try a mixture of virgin coconut oil with fresh lemon juice, dabbed on the area to lighten. The natural vitamins in coconut oil have fantastic healing properties for skin. People who have applied coconut oil to scars and age spots have said that it lightens them and reduces their appearance. It may also help to fade other skin discolorations like stretch marks, freckles, birthmarks, and uneven pigmentation.
Can I Use Coconut Oil for Face Cream?
Absolutely! If you're looking to keep your skin hydrated and want to help it in repairing itself while you sleep, try applying coconut oil to your face before bed.
If you're prone to acne, you can try adding a few drops to your normal moisturizer instead. This will amp up hydration without adding too much extra oil. Prone to cold sores? Try dabbing coconut oil on them before bed to speed up healing time, reduce pain and to reduce the risk of scarring.
Other Ways to use Coconut Oil for Skin:
Moisturize and get rid of dead skin cells by making your own body (or facial) scrub. Just mix coconut oil with coconut sugar to reveal smoother skin. Try it a few times a week.
Use coconut oil during your next at-home manicure. Rubbing the oil into cuticles helps keep germs at bay. Most importantly this will loosen up cuticles, making them easier to push back or cut.
Allow your body and mind to unwind in a good detox bath. This is a great way to eliminate toxins. Create a simple detox bath with coconut oil by adding ¼ cup of Epsom salts, because this is great for detoxing, to ¼ cup of coconut oil into a hot bath. For added aromatherapy benefits, you could include a few drops of your favorite essential oils.
Using coconut oil for skin around the eye area will allow you to remove makeup without irritating your eyes. As an added bonus, you’ll give extra hydration to that sensitive area — and reduce the appearance of wrinkles! To use, gently rub coconut oil onto lids and dab off eye makeup with a cotton pad or warm washcloth.
The benefits of organic coconut oil for your skin are extensive. Coconut oil is a superfood with a powerhouse of uses in cooking, beauty recipes, natural remedies and around the home.
So, grab yourself a tub and explore the powerful benefits of this “superfood”.
Besides that, you'll smell like cookies and that's just plain awesome!
P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment below letting us know how you use coconut oil for skin!
#coconut oil for skin