Coconut oil has been a bit of a controversial beauty product in recent years. While some swear it’s the key to clear skin, others have denounced it as an unhealthy ‘miracle’ ingredient. So which is it? And is it good for your face?
“It’s a complicated answer. Coconut oil’s fatty acid profile makes it a more stable alternative to other oils. It leaves skin feeling smooth and hydrated and also helps with eczema and acne,” explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist.
However, there are some side effects of using coconut oil on the skin, such as clogged pores and breakouts of acne. Coconut oil can also cause irritations ranging from mild to severe if you’re allergic to it or other types of nuts.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about using coconut oil as a home remedy for your facial routine.
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is a plant-based lipid that is highly rich in medium-chain fatty acids, minerals, and vitamin E. It is extracted from the meat of matured coconut fruits either by cold-pressing or by refined processing.
“Coconut oil is a healthy oil that contains many ingredients and compounds. The most important of these ingredients is lauric acid, which is essential for healthy skin,” Dr. Zeichner explains.
Lauric acid makes up about 50% of the entire structure of coconut oil. Other ingredients include myristic acid, capric acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, as well as antioxidants like ferulic, caffeic, and syringic acids.
Benefits of Using Coconut Oil on Your Face
1. It moisturizes the skin
People have used coconut oil for centuries as a natural moisturizer. The fatty acids in the oil are easily absorbed by the skin, where they act as a barrier to keep moisture in and prevent dehydration.
2. It helps to reduce inflammation
Inflammation is a natural process that infections, injury, and stress can trigger. It is a normal part of the body’s immune response system, which helps to repair damaged tissue, but coconut oil can help to reduce it.
3. It helps to prevent acne
Coconut oil is one of the best natural remedies for acne because it helps control inflammation and kills bacteria that cause acne. It contains fatty acids, which help nourish your skin and prevent irritations and other effects associated with acne.
4. It’s soothing
The lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties which can help to reduce irritations and provide lasting relief. It also contains capric acid, which helps to ease itching and redness because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
5. It exfoliates
The hydrating and exfoliating qualities of coconut oil make it an ideal addition to homemade body scrubs, where it works to remove dead skin cells and protect the skin from the drying effects of exfoliation.
6. It cleanses the skin
Coconut oil is a great natural ingredient to use in homemade facial cleansers because it has cleansing, moisturizing, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. You can use it as an all-over face cleanser or as a spot treatment.
7. It provides natural sunscreen
You can use coconut oil as an additional layer of sunscreen because it contains natural antioxidants that can protect the skin from UV damage. It is also an effective sunscreen because it can help to heal sunburns.
8. It prevents fine lines and wrinkles
Coconut oil is one of the most effective natural remedies to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It is an excellent moisturizer that penetrates deep into your skin to fight the free radicals present in your body, preventing premature aging signs.
9. It relieves eczema
Another benefit of coconut oil is that its antimicrobial properties make it ideal for those with eczema or other similar conditions of the skin. It is also an effective moisturizer that can help to protect against dryness and chapping of the skin.
Can Coconut Oil Cause Acne?
While there has been no conclusive evidence that coconut oil causes acne, coconut oil has the potential to clog pores. According to studies, coconut oil is highly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and cause acne.
On the other hand, coconut oil contains antibacterial fatty acids called lauric acid and caprylic acid that kill bacteria and dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, which helps prevent acne by unclogging pores.
Due to these reasons, coconut oil can clog pores and cause acne. It can also unclog your pores and kill acne-causing bacteria. The best way to find out if coconut oil can cause acne or not is to do a patch test and see for yourself.
Does Coconut Oil Darken Skin?
No scholarly or scientific research shows how coconut oil works to darken the skin. However, some people may notice an increased pigmentation on their skin after regular usage of coconut oil.
“The reason for this is not clear, but it’s likely due to lifestyle habits such as smoking, over-consumption of alcohol, poor hygiene, or stress. In cases like this, you need to stay away from such habits to get the full effects of coconut oil.” Zeichner explains.
It’s also important to note that coconut oil can appear a little darker on skin tones with a warm undertone. But you can avoid this unwanted effect by mixing coconut oil with essential oils and your regular moisturizer.
Coconut Oil for Skin Whitening
Coconut oil can be used as a skin whitening agent. It contains high concentrations of fatty acids, which can penetrate your skin and dissolve dead skin cells to even out your complexion. It also helps to reduce inflammation caused by dermatitis.
In addition, coconut oil helps skin retain moisture, so it may prevent leathery skin in dry climates or harsh weather. It also possesses antioxidant properties that help keep your skin supple by protecting it from free radicals.
Is Coconut Oil a Good Moisturizer?
“The medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil combine with its other ingredients to moisturize your skin, protect it from free radicals, and reduce irritations caused by certain skin conditions,” explains Dr. Jamie, a board-certified dermatologist.
Coconut oil is also an emollient, which means it helps to keep your skin hydrated by sealing in moisture on the surface of your skin. It also comprises medium-chain fatty acids, which are necessary for healthy skin.
How is Coconut Oil Made?
Coconut oil is a plant fat that belongs to the tropical fruit of the coconut palm. Coconut farmers extract the oil from the meat of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm. You can find it in solid form or as an emulsion that seems similar to milk.
Coconut oil is produced by several methods: RBD (bleached and deodorized), fractionation (which separates the long-chain triglycerides from other components), and cold-pressed (without the use of heat or chemicals).
Refined coconut oil is extracted using RBD and fractionation to remove color and taste, leaving behind a practically odorless white fat that has no flavor or aroma. This refined oil is widely used in commercial skincare products.
On the other hand, virgin coconut oil is extracted using a cold-pressed method. In this method, the coconut oil is extracted from the meat of fresh, mature coconuts. It is an eco-friendly method that doesn’t require the use of heat and chemicals.
Best Coconut Oil for Your Face
The best coconut oil for your face is organic, unprocessed virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat through a cold pressing, which means the oil maintains all the nutritional value of its natural state.
Unlike refined coconut oil, virgin coconut oil retains its high levels of antioxidants and medium-chain fatty acids. This makes it more effective than refined coconut oil in moisturizing your skin and making your skin softer and smoother.
You only need to apply it once or twice a day for the best results. The recommended amount of virgin coconut oil you should apply daily depends on the condition of your skin, but most people find that two teaspoons are enough.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Coconut oil is a comedogenic substance, which means that it causes the skin to produce excess oils and blockages in the pores. This can cause breakouts for some people, especially those with acne-prone skin.
Some people swear coconut oil is the secret to getting rid of breakouts and then others say it causes breakouts. The only way to find out if coconut oil will clog your pores is to do a patch test.
Additionally, ensure to stay away from using coconut oil on your face or any other parts of your body if you are allergic to coconuts. Also, avoid coconut oil if you’re allergic or sensitive to other types of nuts, like walnuts or almonds.
How to Use Coconut Oil on Face
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser and towel dry.
- Put a small amount of coconut oil on your palms and rub it together to melt it.
- Apply the coconut oil on your face by gently massaging it in circular motions. Do this for at least 10 minutes.
- Allow the coconut oil to stay on your skin for another 30 minutes or leave it overnight if you have dry skin.
- Repeat this process at least twice a day for soft hydrated skin.
FAQs
Can coconut oil make your face look younger?
Yes, it can. Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids, which are easily absorbed into your skin to reduce signs of aging like dark spots and wrinkles.
It is also rich in antioxidants that can help your skin fight against free radicals, toxins, sun damage, and other environmental factors that can lead to premature aging.
Can you leave coconut oil on your face overnight?
Yes, you can. Using coconut oil on your face before you go to bed every night is an effective way to make your face look younger and more beautiful.
Your skin absorbs products better when you sleep, so this helps the coconut oil to penetrate deeper into your skin. Moreover, your skin will have enough time to reap all the amazing benefits of coconut oil without disturbance.
Can you apply coconut oil directly to your face?
Yes, you can. Coconut oil is high in saturated fats called medium-chain triglycerides, which are great for hydrating your face and keeping it healthy.
It also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that help to relieve dry skin conditions like eczema and fight off any unhealthy bacteria on your skin.
Conclusion
Coconut oil is amazing for your face. You can use it to cleanse your face, nourish your skin, and also as a moisturizer. The reason why coconut oil is so good for your face is that it contains fatty acids that are essential for healthy skin.
Coconut oil is also a natural antibacterial, so it can help to prevent breakouts. It is also a natural sunscreen, so it can help to prevent sun damage. In addition, coconut oil will help to prevent wrinkles and fine lines by boosting collagen production.
While the use of coconut oil for the face is a good practice, there are a few drawbacks you need to consider. For instance, coconut oil can clog pores in some cases, so it’s best to do a patch test before slathering it on your skin.
Thanks for reading.
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