Is coconut oil good for your skin?
Of course… there are several coconut oil benefits for the skin.
This oil has been widely in use for centuries for making several natural skincare therapeutic medicines and beauty products.
It is used in the traditional Indian Ayurvedic stream of medicine and Asian herbal remedies for treating several skin disorders and hair care solutions.
The presence of exceptional quality medicinal properties in this natural oil makes it a cure-all solution for several common health and skincare issues.
You can get hold of any oil-based skincare natural treatments, and you will certainly find virgin coconut oil as one of the major ingredients in it.
The coconut kernel and oil are edible. In fact, coconut oil is said to be the healthiest cooking oil out there. It not only makes the food tasty but also gives us several health benefits.
The virgin coconut oil (VCO), alone or mixed with other herbal medicines, is applied to skin and hair for treating and curing various common issues.
It is the exceptional medicinal and preventive qualities naturally present in this oil that help our skin and hair in many ways.
The VCO contains a variety of fatty acids like Lauric, Myristic, Caprylic, Capric, Caproic, Palmitic, Oleic, Palmitoleic, Linoleic, Linolenic, and Stearic. It also has a good bit of Vitamin E, Vitamin K, iron, polyphenols, proteins and lipoproteins, and moisture.
All the above-mentioned fatty acids and other nutrients in VCO have several benefits for the skin. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory, antifungal as well and antibacterial features that can cure common skin diseases and other issues related to the health and beauty of the skin.
A major portion of the VCO mostly consists of lauric acid which is known for its ability to internally and externally protect the body and skin from the attacks of harmful bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and parasites.
The nutrients and vitamins in this oil protect and nourish the skin both internally and externally.
The lipid components of VCO from its active individual fatty acids are excellent Antibacterial and antimicrobial agents.
Several infections and localized skin issues caused by bacterial and microbial agents can be eliminated with the application of VCO.
We shall discuss the major individual benefits of this oil for skin in the following paragraphs below.
7 Amazing Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin
As we said before, coconut oil and kernel are healthy for consumption. It is the best natural oil that helps in the nourishment of the hair.
In the tropical coastal regions of the world, where coconut palms naturally grow and are commercially cultivated, people have been using them on the skin for many centuries.
1. Coconut Oil and Kernel Consumption Nourishes and Protects the Skin Internally
This oil is beneficial for the skin in several ways when it is consumed as one of the ingredients in dishes or as cooking oil.
The saturated fats in coconut are ingested through consumption, and a good bit of this fat gets deposited in the skin tissues, which makes the skin look healthy and smooth with no visible pores.
Various medium-chain fatty acids like Lauric, Capric, Caprylic, etc., in this oil, nourish the skin and prevent microbial infections to some extent.
Some portion of the fatty acids is converted into monocaprin and monolaurin by the body. This boosts the immune response to antimicrobial activity against enveloped viruses, certain bacteria, and the yeast Candida albicans that adversely affect the body internally or in the pores of the skin.
The consumption of fatty acids present in this oil is weight loss friendly and helps in reducing stretch marks and wrinkles by minimizing the fat deposits below the skin tissues.
The Vitamin E present is extremely good for the repair and regeneration of skin tissues. It also makes the skin look beautifully smooth and healthy.
The saturated fat in VCO has a good protein that helps in the nourishment and regeneration of skin tissues. Protein, along with other vitamins, helps in the development and repair of healthy skin tissues. Protein is essential for quickly healing any wounds and cuts inflicted on the skin externally.
2. External Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin Care
The external application of coconut oil on the skin is beneficial in many ways. This oil, in most cases, is used alone. Still, in some natural remedies’ preparations, it is used along with other natural ingredients as a treatment solution for particular skin issues like fungal infections, eczema, warts, diaper dermatitis, etc.
Below given are some of the common benefits and uses of coconut oil for the skin.
Lip Gel
Coconut oil can be used as a good lip balm on cracked or chapped lips, especially in the cold winter. It keeps the lips moisturized for long hours and, in many ways, better than those chemical-based solutions. If the lips are badly dry or chapped, apply the VCO on the lips repeatedly a few times a day.
Makeup Remover
It is not so safe and healthy to remove makeup with chemical solutions as it will have side effects on the skin in the long run. Virgin coconut oil is an excellent natural solution that can naturally erase the makeup from the skin. Even the waterproof mascara makeup can be quickly removed by gently rubbing VCO with a cotton pad over the area.
Cuticle Oil
The cracked cuticles and skin around the nails can be remedied by applying coconut oil over the area or rubbing a coconut oil-soaked cotton pad over the base of the nails.
Stretch-Mark Remover
Pregnant women and obese people might develop stretch marks on the skin, especially around the stomach and hips. It is found that regularly massaging coconut oil over the skin will reduce the stretch marks. Ideally, it is good to apply the oil 30 minutes before the shower and wash it away during a shower bath.
Under-Eye Lotion
The eye cantors and skin around the eyes usually develop dark circles and fine lines, especially as a person grows older and due to lack of sufficient sleep or eye’ straining. Most of these dark circles around the eyes will fade away by applying a thin layer of coconut oil regularly, preferably before you retire to bed, and wash it off in the morning when you wake up.
Body Scrub Exfoliation
Coconut oil is a good skin scrubber when it is mixed with coarse salt and sugar to form a skin lotion. If you want the entire body scrub, about 100 ml coconut oil should be mixed with two spoons each of coarse salt and sugar to make a lotion that is to be gently massaged over the body 30 to 40 minutes before the shower bath.
Massage Oil
Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil that can make the person feel relaxed and help in the rejuvenation of the skin. It is more effective when it is mixed with a few drops of essential oils ( a mixture of lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, and basil oils) and lavender oil; this mixture should be warmed up at a moderate temperature and stirred well before the massage.
Itch Relief
Virgin coconut oil gives quick relief from itches on the skin caused by fungal infections, bug bites, burns, bruises, etc. This oil can be gently massaged over the affected area and repeated the same twice or thrice a day if the itch persists.
Bad Body Odor Remover
The coconut oil, when mixed with a few drops of scented oil, a pinch of arrowroot powder, cornstarch, and baking powder, creates a pleasantly scented lotion. The application of this scented lotion on the skin and underarms will dispel the bad body odor.
Age Spots Remover
Regularly applying coconut oil over the skin areas with age spots will make them fade away in a few weeks.
Nipple Cream
Anyone with cracked, sore, or dry nipples can make them supple and soft by regularly applying coconut oil over the nipple…even breastfeeding mothers can use it as this oil is not harmful to the baby.
Healing Remedy for Cuts and Bruises
If you have any mild cuts, scrapes, or scratches over the skin, you can heal them quickly by applying VCO, which will shield the skin from dust, bacteria, and viruses. The medicinal properties of coconut oil are good for healing cuts and bruises, too.
Mole Remover
Do you want to remove moles naturally? Try to apply the coconut oil mixed with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar regularly for a week or two…you will experience the moles gradually fading away, and repeat the remedy till they totally disappear.
Healing of Tattoo
The healing of new tattoos is hastened when coconut oil is gently applied over the area with a cotton swab, and it also helps prevent any infection or allergy on the skin. A skin tattoo can also be protected from color-fading by regularly applying a thin layer of coconut oil over it.
Pedicure Usage
If you have cracked and parched feet and soles, they can be gradually healed and softened by soaking the feet and soles in coconut oil with the help of a cotton swab. As you soak the feet with coconut oil, the sole becomes soft and helps in reducing the cracks on the feet.
3. UV Rays Protection Benefits of Coconut Oil on Skin
In one of the comparative tests among oils, it was found that coconut oil can block the effects of harmful UVA and UVB rays on the skin by about 30%. Of course, olive oil and avocado oil are slightly superior to coconut oil for this matter.
Another good advantage of coconut oil on the skin is its ability to reduce sunburn and skin cancer, as it allows the beneficial UVA radiation to heal the skin.
It is overexposure to sunshine that harms the skin, and coconut oil greatly helps the skin by forming a protective layer over the skin which reduces the overexposure to sunshine.
Vitamin D is produced when the cholesterol over the skin is exposed to the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. As coconut oil completely does not block the UV rays of the sun, it is helpful to the production of Vitamin D, unlike other chemical-based sunscreen lotions that have high SPF.
VCO also detoxifies the outer layer of the skin because of its natural antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
4. Coconut Oil Is Good for Smooth Shaving
Over-dependence on chemicals-rich shaving foams and creams for hazel-free shaving is not a good idea…coconut oil can be a better shaving solution than traditional shaving cream and foam.
Before you proceed to shave….just gently massage a thin layer of coconut oil onto the skin surface where you want to shave (face, underarms, or legs). It makes the skin soft and smooth for the razor blades to do a close shave of the hair. You can make the shaving still smoother if you massage the skin with warm water-soaked cotton linen before applying the oil.
The antibacterial and healing properties in this oil also heal all minute cuts on the skin from the razor blade.
Most importantly, you don’t require any additional moisturizer or after-shave lotions to be used as this oil will naturally moisturize and brighten the skin after the shave.
If you have oily skin, you may find it difficult to use it on facial skin, but you can lavishly use coconut oil for shaving the arms and legs.
5. Coconut Oil Is a Good Facial Skin Cleanser
When you return home after days of activity in the polluted outdoors, you certainly need to do a deep cleansing of the facial skin.
One of the best natural facial skin cleansers is virgin coconut oil. It contains excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and moisturizing properties that are safer and superior to synthetic skin cleansers.
With the help of a cotton swab, apply the coconut oil onto the skin by rubbing the oil-soaked cotton swab onto the skin in a circular motion for a few minutes.
After about 5 to 10 minutes of applying the oil, you can wash the face with a mild organic skin cleanser.
Using coconut oil as a skin cleanser may not be a good idea for people suffering from pimples and acne issues, as oil clogging in the pores of the skin can further aggravate these issues.
6. Coconut Oil Moisturizer for Dry Skins
If you have parched skin, especially in the winter season and dry weather conditions, coconut oil is a good natural skin moisturizer you can make use of. For many reasons, it is better than the expensive moisturizers you buy.
The coconut oil not only softens and moisturizes the skin, but it retains the moisture for a long time….even mild washing will not remove the coconut oil fully from the skin, unlike other moisturizers that will disappear by themselves within an hour or two.
It also protects the skin in many ways because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
This oil hydrates the skin naturally and blocks the loss of water through the skin pores, especially when you are outdoors.
Even when you are cooking with coconut oil, if a little oil drips onto your hand and body, don’t wash it away but massage it onto your arms and body.
7. Coconut Oil Benefits for Skin Rejuvenation
There is no doubt that coconut oil can keep your skin supple and healthy in many ways.
It provides all the essential nutrients required for the growth and repair of skin tissues when you consume coconut oil and kernel as ingredients in your diet.
Externally when you apply it to the skin, it hydrates, moisturizes, and protects the skin.
One of the best ways to prevent faster aging of the skin and the formation of wrinkles is to apply this oil regularly on the skin. In fact, coconut oils work just like the expensive anti-aging creams that people use to pamper their skin.
How to Use Coconut Oil for Skin?
Some of you may be thinking it is a little inconvenient to use this oil as it mostly remains in solid form at room temperature below 24oC. It becomes rock solid if the room temperature falls below 10oC. In warm tropical regions, it is not a problem as it will become smooth-flowing liquids at temperatures above 25oC.
It is good to keep coconut oil in a bottle or jar with a wide opening to use a spoon or fingers to take the oil out. If the oil has turned rock solid, then warm it up in the microwave oven or immerse the oil jar in warm water to liquefy the oil.
Taking a small slice of solid coconut oil and rubbing it between your palms can also quickly liquefy it.
The best way to apply the coconut oil is to use your palms to spread or massage the oil onto desired skin areas of application or use a cotton swab to apply the oil.
Use only the exact amount of oil required for forming a thin layer of application….excess oil is not going to do any better. Too much oil application can make your body dripping with oil all over the skin … an oily mess.
There is also no need to repeatedly apply more and more oil on the same area within a short duration…. a thin layer of oil is sufficient, and use it twice or thrice a day maximum. This oil will last on the applied area for hours or till it is washed away.
You can prepare several natural remedies by mixing other herbal and medicinal ingredients into the coconut oil. Since it is beyond the scope of this article to discuss those many remedies…we are not going to discuss them in detail here.
Other Benefits of Coconut Oil: