If you keep up with the trends you must have heard about coconut oil benefits. Coconut oil does not only come in handy in cooking but also for the skin, face and hair.
Coconut oil may be already present in the food you consume such as coffee, smoothies. Chances are you are also reaping its benefits in your daily products.
This article discusses the importance and advantages of coconut oil and how you can use them.
Types of Coconut Oil
There are three different types of coconut oil and they have their own advantages while cooking, applying on face or hair.
But first, let’s find out:
What is Coconut Oil?
It is highly saturated but is made directly from coconuts. More precisely from the white inner part of a coconut.
The virgin coconut oil is made directly from the inner white fresh flesh. It uses heat to make expeller-pressed oil. Another method to extract virgin oil is using cold presses which retain the nutrient density of the oil.
Though refine oil is made using the dried flesh. It is also known as the copra and is pressed and heated to remove any fragrance.
Furthermore, it undergoes filtration to remove additional debris and bacteria by using chemicals.
Though organic coconut oil will be without any chemicals and pesticides.
This will generally be solid at room temperature and you will have to melt it to use it.
Additionally, coconut is full of medium-chain fatty acids. It contains about 90 percent of saturated fats.
Among which there is 49 percent of lauric acid, 19 percent of myristic acid, 8 percent of palmitic acid, and 6 percent of oleic acid (also found in olive oil) among others.
You can also find a gram of unsaturated fats in a tablespoon of coconut oil.
Coconut oil is of three types:
- Virgin
- Unrefined
- Extra virgin coconut oil
The lesser processed an oil, the more benefits they have.
You will also find liquid and refined coconut oils. Liquid coconut oils come in handy in cooking. However, they are not the most ideal for the skin as they may be harsh for it.
The kind of oil that you should choose for skincare is the one that retains the benefits.
Hence, organic, unrefined i.e. virgin cold-pressed oil retains its nutrients density because it isn’t that processed. It retains the fatty acids that provide benefits to the skin.
Let’s learn about more benefits below!
Coconut Oil Benefits
Coconut oil has different benefits on health as well as on the skin and hair.
- Increases Good Cholesterol and Healthy Fatty Acids
As it is rich in saturated fats, it provides many health benefits.
These healthy fatty acids actually help burn fats in your body. Moreover, they increase the High-density lipoprotein aka the good cholesterol.
This prevents heart diseases. Moreover, the body converts these fatty acids into ketones which prevents you from gaining weight and may help in epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
As the fatty acids convert into ketones, then your hunger and appetite may reduce.
The medium-chain triglycerides burn to form ketones which significantly helps to reduce hunger.
Hence, this can help lose weight after consecutive usage and satiate you leading to weight loss.
- Controls blood sugar and decreases stress
Medium-chain triglycerides have many benefits and one of these is that they help preserve insulin.
Furthermore, virgin coconut oil is beneficial for controlling depression and reducing stress levels.
It can reduce any stress that people experience from exercise due to its antioxidant properties.
Coconut oil can seep and settle well in the scalp than other mineral oils.
This way it can help you from hair damage alongside adding shine to your hair. Though some studies may disagree.
Regarding dental health, you may know about oil pulling. Oil pulling is ancient similar to that of mouthwash but using coconut oil.
It involves melting coconut oil and swishing it around in your mouth to get rid of bacteria and plaque to avoid any cavities. Furthermore, it maintains a good balance in your mouth and aims to treat gingivitis.
One of the essential saturated fats in coconut oil is lauric acid.
Lauric acid helps to kill pathogens such as viruses and bacteria that harm your body.
For instance, they can kill the bacteria responsible for staph infections and the Candida albicans that cause yeast infection.
Studies show that coconut oil can have an effect on the American heart health and liver.
It can protect you from heart disease and liver disease. It also controls sugar levels and promotes good cholesterol levels.
Therefore, overall it is healthy oil in your diet.
Coconut Oil Benefits for Skin and Face
It is especially beneficial for dry and flaky skin. Therefore normal to dry skin types find it more useful.
Coconut oil has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. It also contains Vitamin F which helps to retain moisture.
Hence, you can best use it as an overnight moisturizer to wake up with soft skin.
The linoleic acid in coconut oil helps to retain moisture overnight by making a protective barrier.
This makes the skin supple and plump and increases its hydration.
Furthermore, it also increases collagen production in the skin. Besides having anti-bacterial properties, lauric acid also promotes collagen production.
This helps to tighten the skin and enhance its firmness. It adds elasticity to your skin and gives your skin more snap. Additionally, this will help reduce the signs of aging over time and you will see fewer wrinkles and fine lines.
Moreover, it also helps to reduce inflammation. It contains an anti-inflammatory effect that increases the protective barrier of the skin. It is beneficial for skin conditions like eczema.
The anti-inflammation goes hand in hand with its anti-oxidant properties. It prevents free radicals to the extent that some may use it as a sunscreen.
Additionally, it may also help treat hyperpigmentation as a remedy. It helps to lighten dark patches and decreases dark spots.
You can also get rid of uneven skin tone if you add a bit of lemon juice for better results.
How to Use It?
While people may use liquid coconut oil in cooking, you should use virgin oil for skin and face.
You can use coconut oil as an overnight moisturizer. Either use the pure, raw form or check for virgin oil in skincare products like face wash.
You can additionally use it as a cleanser and makeup remover.
However, if you want to use it in pure form, follow these steps:
Take some coconut oil in your hand. Remember at room temperature it will be in a solid-state.
You can either heat it but you may in fact just rub it for it to become liquid with the heat of your hands.
Then apply it to your face and let it absorb after which you can cleanse off your face and wipe off your makeup with a warm cloth.
If you want to use it as a moisturizer, then you will have to descend it to the last step of the regime.
For that, you should first use cleanse your skin with an oil and water cleanser. Next, you apply toner to prep your skin.
Furthermore, apply your serums, ampoules, and essences that you want your skin to absorb. Also, apply a small amount of eye cream under your eyes.
Then lastly take a small amount of count oil in your hands and rub it to make it liquid and spread it all across your face and neck.
Coconut oil is good for all skin types but best for dry skin since it hydrates and retains moisture to make skin soft and plump.
However, it also works well for sensitive skin. Since it has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to decrease the redness and irritation as well as soothes the skin.
However, if you have oily skin then coconut oil is not ideal for you. The same goes for combination skin as your skin already produces oil.
Adding a layer of our coconut oil can worsen the oil production in your skin and cause you several breakouts. Though, it is not a huge issue if it is just an ingredient in one of your skincare products.
It is also good for mature and aging skin. As it stimulates collagen production, you may notice a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines over time. It will also tighten, hydrate and firm up your skin.
Are There Any Side Effects?
While it is good as a moisturizer, it may not be as ideal as an overnight mask for everyone.
It may also cause breakouts for people with oily skins and acne-prone skins.
However, it does clog pores.
Due to its comedogenic properties, it can increase blackheads, whiteheads, acne, and pimples in oily skin.
Moreover, if you have a weak immune system or use antibiotics then you should avoid using them.
As it can clog pores, this may lead to an increase in bacteria and fungal infections as well as acne.
Furthermore, make sure that you do not use it if you are allergic to coconut oil.
However, the benefits may exceed the side effects.
Conclusion
Coconut oil benefits can improve your skin, hair, and overall health.
Add it into your skincare and foods to see various benefits in your life.
