Coconut oil is a big trend in personal care these days. It is famous in the world not only as edible oil and hair tonic, but an excellent face massage and skin smoothing oil.
In the tropical areas where it is readily available and utilised in many ways, people use it on the skin and believe it protects from the sun’s harmful effects.
Since it is unprocessed and without any chemical additives, coconut oil can protect the skin in some of the sunniest and hottest places of the world better that artificial creams.
How does coconut oil help the skin?
It is important to understand what makes coconut oil beneficial for the skin making it achieve all of its extraordinary benefits. The oil contains useful properties which are helpful in maintaining skin health. They include:
- Saturated fats: The saturated fats are medium chain fatty acids which when applied on the skin gives it a smooth feeling. The fats make coconut oil easy to retain moisture content of the skin as they eliminate moisture loss through the skin pores. When ingested, the fats deposit under the skin keeping it healthy and smooth while giving it an even tone.
- Vitamin E: 100 grams of coconut oil has about 0.1 mg of Vitamin E providing skin nourishing properties. Vitamin E is ideal for healthy skin repair and growth and protects against cracking.
- Proteins: Coconut oil is rich in many proteins y for keeping the skin healthy and rejuvenated. The protein contributes to cellular health and tissue repair and is good for replenishing damaged cells on the skin.
- Lauric/ Caprylic/ Capric acids: The three fatty acids have high antimicrobial and disinfectant properties which protect from microbial infections. You can still experience the action even when you ingest coconut oil internally; the fatty acids boost the immunity once they are converted to monolaurins and monocaprins.
Also, the three fatty acids are broken down easily meaning they contribute to usable energy. In the end, they boost energy levels before a workout; hence they have been linked to weight loss. Losing weight is a good way to improve your skin quality by reducing excessive fats, folds in the skin, and stretch marks.
The various ways to apply coconut oil to your skin
Using coconut oil on your skin is an all-natural method of eliminating toxic ingredients in the body and skin. It can penetrate the skin in deeper levels than the average skincare products due to its low molecular weight.
- Facial cleanser: Coconut oil contains antimicrobial and moisturising abilities making it perfect for your skin. It kills any bacteria while hydrating skin to keep it looking fresh and vibrant.
- Body butter: Coconut oil has saturated fats that help the skin to stay moisturised. The fat prevents moisture loss through the skin pores giving it a healthy, smooth, and even tone.
- Body scrub: Moisturise and get rid of dead skin cells by making your homemade facial and body scrub. Combine coconut oil with coconut sugar for a smoother, glowing skin.
- Body oil: Rub coconut oil instead of body lotion if you suffer from dry skin.
- Diaper rash protector: Use coconut oil to eases diaper rash, soreness, and itchiness. Apply about a tablespoon over affected areas.
Is coconut oil good for acne?
Due to the presence of many nutritive agents coconut oil is useful in the treatment of acne. The presence of Capric and Lauric acids in the coconut oil helps in the replacement of the protective acid layer on the skin.
The oil helps in the healing of wounds on the skin and severe cases of acne. It improves the rate of metabolism which also indirectly affects proper secretion and hormonal balance, thus curbing the development of acne.
Other health benefits of coconut oil
Apart from benefiting the skin, coconut oil has a host of health benefits. Other than its benefits for the skin, coconut oil can do the following:
- It helps in reducing hunger making you eat less; hence, efficient in weight loss management.
- Ketone which results from the fatty acids in coconut oil is believed to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children.
- It improves blood cholesterol levels; thus protecting against heart complications.
- The fatty acids in coconut oil can boost brain function in Alzheimer’s patients.
Where can I get coconut oil?
Not all coconut oil is the same, to enjoy the benefits mentioned herein, get organic or virgin coconut oil and not the processed ones. You can preorder online from trusted stores, buy from your local supermarket, or from your local chemist.
