You have probably heard about the positive effects that coconut oil can have on the body, as well as the health benefits that are associated with it. The word is out about this tropical oil and its many benefits for health and beauty. More and more people are using it and it is becoming more mainstream.
Many people all over the world are choosing to use the all-natural oil from this fragrant nut over unhealthy cooking oils such as vegetable oil and cooking spray.
Did you know that coconut oil can also be used for things other than cooking or adding to coffee?
Coconut oil is good for the skin because it nourishes the cells and protects them from dangerous UV rays. It is also a good moisturizer for hair. Not only has it become a culinary phenomenon, but a cosmetic one as well.
This natural product is being used by people all over the world as an alternative to many unhealthy beauty products. Still not sold? The following is a guide for using coconut oil in your daily beauty routine. Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer, hair treatment, and makeup remover, among other things.
Coconut oil contains a lot of vitamin E, which is important for keeping skin looking healthy and radiant. However, it not only improves the outward appearance of your skin, but it also works to bring which then results in healing and repair of damaged cells.
If you are thinking of switching your beauty routine to one that uses all natural ingredients, with coconut oil as the main ingredient, but you can’t give up your favorite fragrance, try adding essential oils to whatever mixture you create.
READ MORE: Coconut Oil Health Benefits
Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Skin
1. Relieve Skin Conditions
Coconut oil can help heal various skin conditions like dermatitis and dryness, as well as reduce the appearance of scars.
2. Prevent Inflammation
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain associated with inflammation, according to one study. Since acne is often a result of inflammation, using coconut oil could help reduce the appearance of acne.
3. Heal Scrapes and Burns
This oil can help improve your body’s collagen production and antioxidant status. In other words, by increasing the healing rate of scrapes and burns, it also encourages healthy hair growth. Plus, its antimicrobial properties reduce the risk of infection.
4. Prevent Fungal Infection
Coconut oil’s antimicrobial properties make it effective at preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms on the hair or skin that can cause bacterial and fungal infections like athletes foot, cellulitis, or folliculitis.
5. Makeup Remover
Coconut oil is an effective natural makeup remover and can even remove waterproof mascara.
To use coconut oil as a facial cleanser, simply scoop some up with a cotton pad and wipe it over your face. Make sure to rinse the coconut oil off your face with water or a face cleanser after using it, as using too much coconut oil can clog your pores.
6. All-Over Moisturizer
Coconut oil is great to use as an all-over body moisturizer because it contains a lot of fatty acids. If you use the right amount of coconut oil, it will improve your skin without making it oily.
Making it look youthful, glowing, and radiant. It’s best to use this oil as a moisturizer right after you shower, so it has time to fully absorb and give you the most benefits.
Even though coconut oil is known to clog pores, many dermatologists recommend using it on the body instead of the face – especially if you have naturally blemish-prone skin.
According to Joyce Park, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist from New York City, you can use coconut oil as a body moisturizer instead of a face moisturizer. This is because coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The sebaceous glands on your face secrete more oil than on your body, making your face more prone to oiliness. The skin on your face is thinner than the skin on the rest of your body. Your skin cells turn over at a faster rate on your face, so your body skin can become drier.
Cosmetic chemist Ginger King agrees with this usage recommendation. Coconut oil can act as a great moisturizer for most people, but it is not recommended for people who are prone to clogged pores or acne.
The fatty acids in coconut oil help protect and nourish the skin in two ways: help keep moisture in and protect against dryness.
7. Body Scrub
If you want brighter and softer skin, you can use coconut oil to make your own DIY body scrub to exfoliate with. Exfoliating with coconut oil may actually help soothe sensitive skin rather than causing irritation.
Start out using a body scrub once per week. After you see how your skin reacts you may want to increase the times you scrub or find that once a week is plenty.
8. Cuticle Oil
Got cracked cuticles? Coconut oil could be of service. When the protective layer around our nails becomes dry and cracked, the nails can become weak and misshapen. To repair dry, damaged cuticles, simply apply coconut oil.
One way to moisturize dry, peeling skin is to use a coconut oil balm on the skin, focusing on the area around the nails.
9. Deodorant
Coconut oil can be used to help with body odor. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties. These properties can help eliminate bacteria which is often the cause of odor. Coconut oil also has an appealing aroma on it’s own. This can be a win win.
If you don’t want to use straight coconut oil on your skin, try a natural deodorant that has coconut oil in it.
10. Eczema Relief
Coconut oil can help to relieve some of the symptoms of eczema, such as dryness and itching. A study from 2014 suggests that virgin coconut oil is more effective at soothing eczema than mineral oil.
Coconut oil has the ability to help the skin barrier and seal moisture in, making it a great product to use for those with sensitive skin or eczema.
If you’re considering a more serious treatment for eczema, you should consult a dermatologist. The experts will help determine the best course of action for you.
11. Wound Salve
You can use coconut oil on minor cuts and burns because it has antimicrobial properties and it is oily. This may help the cuts and burns to heal. Use the oil on the problem area a few times each day until it begins to improve, and if it does not get better or starts to get worse, then see your doctor.
[aad_coconut_oil]
Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Hair
12. Chlorine Protectant
Apply coconut oil to your hair with your fingers before swimming in a chlorinated pool. If you use a conditioner that is specifically designed for color-treated hair, this will help protect your hair from the harsh chemicals and prevent it from drying out. Additionally, your hair will be soft and silky after swimming.
13. Frizz Dampener
If you have dry or frizzy hair, you can use a tiny amount of coconut oil to help tame fly-aways and make your hair look shiny. Apply a small amount of product to your hair to avoid making it greasy and heavy.
14. Dandruff Discourager
To prevent and treat dandruff, massage 2 teaspoons of coconut oil into clean hair. This will moisturize the skin on the scalp. Make sure to massage oil into your scalp thoroughly, paying close attention to the areas near your forehead and behind your ears.
Apply a shower cap, go outside in the sun for 20 minutes, and then rinse out with shampoo. Do this treatment two to three times a week, or as often as necessary, until the dandruff symptoms start to go away.
Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, which can be useful for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff). However, it will not make your hair grow. He states that there is a lack of evidence to support the idea that it will stimulate hair growth.
A nightly coconut oil treatment may help to prevent flakes. Apply a small amount of the product to your roots and massage it in using circular motions. Although it won’t get rid of dandruff completely, it can make the flakes softer, making them easier to remove when you wash your hair in the morning.
15. Deep Conditioner
If your hair is dry, brittle, and damaged, you may be struggling with breakage. Try using coconut oil as a leave-in treatment. Coconut oil can help repair the damage from coloring, heat and the sun.
You can use hot coconut oil as a pre-shampoo treatment to soothe dry hair before you shampoo and condition. Leave the conditioner in your hair for at least an hour to let it really soak in and penetrate your strands.
Cosmetic Uses For Coconut Oil
16. Oil Pulling For Whiter Teeth
Oil pulling is the latest dental trend that can seem a bit off-putting at first. If you want to freshen your breath and whiten your teeth, swish with a tablespoon of coconut oil for 20 minutes every day.
17. Makeup Brush Cleaner
It is important to keep makeup brushes clean, as they can collect bacteria and microbes that eventually make their way onto your face or into your eyes.
Coconut oil is a great way to remove caked-on makeup from brushes, and its antibacterial properties also make it a great cleaner for getting rid of the nasty grime that can build up on them.
Add two parts soap to one part melted coconut oil in a shallow bowl and mix well. To clean your brushes, dip them in the mixture and swish them around so that all the bristles are covered in the cleaning solution. Rinse with warm water and air dry.
18. Natural Lip Balm
Coconut oil not only soothes chapped lips, but is also totally non-toxic and safe to ingest. Unlike most commercial lip balms, it is also safe to eat.
If you eat a little coconut oil on your lips, it’s an added health bonus. Transfer coconut oil to a small, portable container. Use this throughout the day for soft, kissable lips.
“Coconut oil’s makeup of fats helps replenish lost or missing components that lead to dry, cracked lip skin,” says Adam Friedman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C. That’s what makes it so good as a lip balm. “It creates a thin but effective barrier that keeps water in and irritants out.”
Coconut oil is effective for treating chapped lips because it is not as liquid as other oils, making it less messy. Put a bit of the product in a small jar and apply it to your lips as needed throughout the day.
Conclusion
Coconut oil is a great beauty agent that can have numerous applications including skin and hair care treatments. This ingredient is very moisturizing and can be found in many beauty products and skin-care routines. It also works well by itself.
[aad_coconut_oil]