Is Coconut Oil Good for Skin – Benefits & How to Use

By reputation coconut oil is a magical elixir, used in both the kitchen and the bathroom for an array of different uses. From hair care to natural skin care to recipes, the internet is full of info about this tropical oil.

But with everything that’s out there, it’s hard to know what’s hype and what’s real. So if you want to cut through all the clutter and really learn the benefits of coconut oil for skin, we’re here to help.

In this post we’ll look at the 10 benefits of coconut oil on skin, how coconut oil is made, the best type of coconut oil for skin, how to use coconut oil for your skin, what skin types it’s best for, and we’ll address frequently asked questions about this plant-based elixir.

10 Benefits of Coconut Oil on Skin

1. It hydrates.

Coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids which help to reduce dryness and allow your skin to retain moisture.

2. It helps to protect skin.

Coconut oil provides a protective barrier, helping shield skin from environmental toxins, dirt and other icky stuff you’re faced with everyday.

3. It smooths skin.

Rub some coconut oil onto your skin and you’ll immediately feel its soft, smoothing effect. And over time it can actually help to improve texture.

4. It minimizes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Coconut oil can actually help to diminish the signs of aging when used regularly. It soaks into skin and makes those little lines and wrinkles appear far less obvious.

5. It calms temporary redness.

This nutty oil has a soothing, calming effect and can help reduce temporary redness when it pops up.

6. It provides antioxidants.

With antioxidant and phytonutrient (plant compounds) components, coconut oil for face can help boost your nutrient factor and fight against environmental stressors that accelerate signs of aging.

7. It absorbs easily.

Coconut oil smooths into skin easily and swiftly, providing instant hydration and protection.

8. It’s a great base for exfoliants.

If you’re into DIY skin care, coconut oil makes a great exfoliant when mixed with a granular substance like sugar or coarse sea salt. Just mix the two, rub it all over your face, and wipe with a warm, wet cloth.

9. It soothes irritated skin.

If you’re prone to irritations or sensitivity, coconut oil can help to alleviate any discomfort and provide soothing relief.

10. It smells great.

Who doesn’t love that yummy, tropical coconut smell? It’s an added bonus along with the rest of this oil’s assets.

How Is Coconut Oil Made?

Coconut oil is made from the white fleshy inner part of coconuts. Virgin or extra virgin coconut oil is made from the fresh flesh, while refined coconut oil generally uses copra, or dried flesh.

The process for making virgin coconut oil involves pressing the fruit via one of several different methods. Expeller-pressed oil is pressed using heat. Cold-pressed uses none, which allows it to hold onto more of its nutrient density.

Refined coconut oil involves pressing the copra, then heating it in order to remove the odor. It’s then processed and filtered to remove any additional bacteria or debris, sometimes using chemicals.

Organic coconut oil means it’s grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or other icky toxins.

It’s also worth noting that coconut oil is solid at room temperature and turns to liquid at warmer temperatures. Generally you have to rub it between your hands to get it into liquid form before you use it.

Best Type of Coconut Oil for Skin

The best type of coconut oil for skin skin is organic, virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil, as it’s the least processed of the bunch so it retains the most nutrients.

When using coconut oil for your face, avoid buying the more processed varieties produced primarily for food purposes. It may be great for cooking, but you don’t necessarily want it on your face!

We recommend Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

 

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How to Use Coconut Oil for Your Skin

As an all-in-one wonder liquid, coconut oil skin benefits are many. It has a variety of different applications for your skin and hair. When it comes to your skin, you can use pure coconut oil as a cleanser, moisturizer, or makeup remover.

Depending on your skin care type, coconut oil for skin can be a super useful addition to your routine. From moisturizing to minimizing signs of aging to soothing irritated skin, it has a wealth of properties that can boost your results, naturally.

To use pure coconut oil as a cleanser, take a small amount in your hands, rub it until it becomes liquid, then spread all over your face. Allow it to absorb for a few moments, then wipe your face with a warm wet cloth. The same process applies when using coconut oil as a makeup remover. You can also put a small amount on a cotton ball or pad and use it to wipe your eye area clean.

If you don’t want to use pure coconut oil, you can also look for it as an ingredient in other products like face washes and moisturizers.

 

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To use coconut oil as a moisturizer, follow these steps:

1. Cleanse your skin with a natural face wash.
2. Apply toner.
3. Apply serum.
4. Take a small amount of solid coconut oil and rub it between your hands. Spread it all over your face and neck.
5. Apply eye cream.
6. Apply sunscreen (in the a.m.).

Pure coconut oil can also be used as a body moisturizer, as well as a hair mask or moisturizer. You can apply it to the ends of your hair, or apply it all over your head and sleep with it on before washing it off in the morning — just make sure you put a towel over your pillow to avoid stains!

What Skin Type Is it Good for?

One key factor to know about coconut oil for face is that it’s considered comedogenic, meaning it can potentially clog pores. Here’s how it breaks down by skin type:

Sensitive — Coconut oil is a good choice for a sensitive skin routine thanks to its soothing properties. It can alleviate temporary redness and irritation.

Dry — For dry skin, coconut oil can be a win because of its intense hydrating capabilities. It helps skin retain moisture.

Mature — For mature skin, coconut oil can help to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles and create a more youthful appearance over time.

Oily or combination skin — If your skin tends to overproduce oil, you may want to steer clear of using pure coconut oil on your face. It could potentially cause your skin to produce more oil or trigger breakouts. But keep in mind that if coconut oil is just an ingredient in one of your skin care products, it likely won’t cause any issues; you can try it and see if it works for you.

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Coconut Oil and Skin Care

Is coconut oil good for your skin?

Yes, coconut oil is good for your skin. It provides antioxidants, moisturizes, minimizes the signs of ageing, boosts nutrients and helps to protect skin.

Is coconut oil good for your face?

Coconut oil has many benefits for your face including helping to minimize the signs of aging, moisturizing, reducing temporary redness and smoothing skin’s texture. But it can potentially clog pores for those with combination or oily skin so for those folks pure coconut oil should be avoided.

Can you use coconut oil as moisturizer?

Yes, you can use coconut oil as a moisturizer depending on your skin type. It is comedogenic, meaning it can potentially clog pores, so if you have oily or combination skin it’s best to avoid using pure coconut oil as a moisturizer.

Can you wash your face with coconut oil?

You can wash your face with coconut oil by rubbing it onto your skin, letting it sit for a few minutes, then wiping your face with a warm, wet cloth. You can also use coconut oil as a makeup remover. Just apply it to a cotton pad or cloth and gently wipe your eye area.

Is coconut oil bad? Does it clog pores?

Coconut oil is good for many different skin care needs, but it can clog pores in those who tend to have oily or combination skin.

What are the benefits of coconut oil?

Coconut oil moisturizes the skin, minimizes the look of fine lines and wrinkles, protects skin against environmental stressors, and can soothe irritated skin. It’s also a great base for exfoliants so you can mix it up with some raw sugar or coarse sea salt for a diy scrub.