The Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Skin And Hair Care

Coconut oil is one of the most common ingredients in beauty products and it has been used for centuries to improve skin and hair health. Coconut oil contains a wide variety of fatty acids along with vitamin E and vitamin K - these vitamins are often referred to as beauty vitamins due to their positive effects on skin and hair. Coconut oil is very gentle and can even be used to treat and prevent hair and skin problems in children and babies.

Coconut Oil Beauty Benefits

There are few cosmetic products that can claim to be a 'cure-all' but coconut oil can make this boast! Coconut oil is used to treat everything from dandruff to cracked heels which means that it literally takes care of you - head to toe! Here are just a few of the benefits of coconut oil for skin and hair health.

Coconut Oil For Dry Skin

"Coconut oil is one of the best natural moisturizers for dry skin as it locks in moisture giving your skin a soft and smooth appearance"

Coconut oil is an excellent emollient and moisturizer as it is highly viscous and forms a protective layer over the skin. This effectively locks in moisture and helps to prevent excessive drying especially during winter when humidity levels are low and our skin is more susceptible to drying. Olive oil is considered to be one of the best oils for dry skin but research shows that coconut oil has superior moisturizing capabilities.

Coconut Oil For Acne

"Coconut oil contains lauric acid which is effective in killing the bacteria that cause acne"

There is no single cause of acne although there are several risk factors that will increase the likelihood of experiencing acne. One of the main risk factors for acne is the P.acnes bacteria - although we do not understand its exact role, scientists have determined that this bacteria contributes to the development of acne. Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called lauric acid and experiments show that lauric acid has strong antimicrobial activity. Scientists have found that the lauric acid in coconut oil is effective in killing P. acnes bacteria. Using coconut oil in a regular skin care routine can help to treat and prevent acne outbreaks.

Coconut Oil To Prevent Scars

"Applying virgin coconut oil to open wounds for 10 days increases collagen production at the site which helps wounds heal much faster and lowers the risk of scarring"

Acne and other minor skin problems often result in lasting scars and blemishes. It is not easy to get rid of old scars and so it is better to prevent the formation of scars. Studies show that applying virgin coconut oil to open wounds for 10 days increases collagen activities at the site which helps wounds heal much faster. Coconut oil also increases collagen turnover which reduces scarring. Dab a little virgin coconut oil over a fresh pimple or boil every night to ensure that it heals without leaving a scar.

Coconut OilTo Prevent Wrinkles

"Coconut oil helps to prevent wrinkles and skin gaining as it blocks out 20% of UV rays "

UV rays account for 80% of skin aging and it is the most common cause of prematurely aging skin. UV rays deplete collagen in the skin through a process called photoaging and this results in age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Studies show that coconut oil blocks out 20% of UV rays and offers moderate protection from photoaging. Using coconut oil on a daily basis will also help to correct previous photodamage and even decrease the depth of existing wrinkles. Although coconut oil is an effective natural sunscreen, do not use it as a replacement for your daily sunscreen lotion.

Coconut Oil As A Deep Cleanser

"Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties and helps to reduce skin bacteria and unclog blocked skin pores"

The oil cleansing method has been gaining recognition as it has proven to be useful in reducing blocked skin pores. Unlike most skin cleansing methods that focus on reducing skin oils, the oil cleansing method is based on the principle that 'like dissolves like'. Oil is used to dissolve hardened sebum (the body's natural oil) and this reduces acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Coconut oil is one of the best oils for oil cleansing since it has antibacterial and antifungal properties and will help to reduce the bacteria present within blocked skin pores.

Coconut Oil To Stimulate Hair Growth

"Coconut oil prevents minor scalp infections which is one of the most common preventable causes of hair loss"

Coconut oil is the most popular hair oil in India and is often used to combat hair loss. Hormonal changes are the most common cause for hair loss but there are other contributory factors. Minor scalp infections contribute to hair loss and hair thinning. Researchers found that thefatty acids in coconut oil inhibit the growth of dermatophytes - fungi that cause scalp infections. Furthermore, using coconut oil before and after shampooing reduces protein loss from the hair shaft and this helps to prevent breakage.

Coconut Oil To Treat Dandruff

"Coconut oil helps to reduce the proliferation of the fungus that causes dandruff which helps to treat and prevent this condition"

Dandruff is linked to a type of fungus called Malasseziawhich thrives in dry conditions. The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil helps to reduce the proliferation of this fungus which helps to treat and prevent dandruff.

How To Use Coconut Oil In Your Beauty Routine

The best way to use coconut oil is to make your own natural beauty care products. For instance, instead of your regular facewash, you can mix equal amounts of lemon juice and coconut oil and massage this into your face before wiping it off with a moist warm washcloth. Similarly, you can make your own cleansing coconut oil face pack by mixing multanimitti with fresh tomato juice and a few drops of coconut oil. Mix the oil from a vitamin E capsule with a table spoon of coconut oil and a teaspoon of jojoba oil; refrigerate it and use it instead of your regular moisturizer.

When creating your own coconut oil beauty products, use ingredients that are specifically suited to your skin type. There is little to no risk of a coconut oil allergy but if you get a sudden skin rash, stop using it and talk to your dermatologist immediately.