Coconut oil has been used for centuries in tropical climates for protecting and moisturizing skin. This is because it is full of antioxidants, essential fatty acids and other protective elements to nourish and repair skin.
Coconut oil is not only great for skin when applied but topically, but also when taken internally. It contains fatty acids or "good fats" that not only protect skin but help defend against many ailments, aiding digestion and even helping you lose weight. Studies have also reveal that it helps prevent diseases like Alzheimer's and digestive disorders.
Because it is an oil that can be heated to very high temperatures it is ideal for cooking. It doesn't lose its beneficial properties or change its chemical composition unlike a lot of oils when they are heated to high temperatures.
Feeding your skin from within:
Cooking with coconut oil feeds your body with beneficial nutrients that nourish your skin from within loosening blackheads, and regulating sebum giving your skin a healthy glow.
Antioxidants:
Coconut oil is full of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant which scavenges free radicals and protects your skin from premature aging. It can also repair damage and stimulate collagen production.
Good oils:
Essential fatty acids are the building blocks of healthy cell reproduction. They also help to transport nutrients deep into the layers of your skin and lock in moisture.
SPF protection:
The oil of coconuts is popular for use in tanning products and sun screens because it offers an SPF protection of around four. It also repairs damaged and burned skin. You can combine straight coconut oil with sesame oil which also has a SPF factor of around 4.
Blackheads and Pimples:
Blackheads can be lifted and pores reduced with the regular use of coconut oil as a face wash. By adding essential oils like tea tree which is antibacterial, and lavender, also antibacterial but also soothing for red and inflamed skin you can make a potent acne treatment that can be used as a mask, face wash serum depending on what kind of treatment you prefer. You can even "cheat" by adding these oils to your regular face wash to give it an antibacterial boost.
Coconut Oil Face Recipes:
Acne mask:
Make a potent acne mask using 1 tablespoon of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, a pinch of turmeric powder alternatively three drops of tea tree oil and three drops of lavender oil.
This mask neutralizes acne bacteria at its source, calming redness and helping to protect against the scarring associated with acne.
Wrinkle reducing antioxidant serum:
Make a rejuvenating serum using 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of almond, apricot or wheat germ oil, five drops of carrot seed oil or rosehip oil.
Apply to skin twice daily to soften and rejuvenate tired or lined skin.
Coconut oil hair conditioner
Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with your conditioner in the shower and apply to wet hair. The steam in your shower opens cuticles and allows the coconut oil to penetrate deep into the shafts of your hair for a thorough moisturizing and nourishing treatment. I personally have very dry thick curly (otherwise frizzy) hair. This method leaves my hair looking and feeling soft and shiny with no frizz.
There are many more recipes you can make using coconut oil and other base oils to deeply nourish, hydrate and repair skin (and hair). With the addition of essential oils you can treat just about any type of skin condition. I love serums and so created a serum wizard that will create a serum recipe that's perfect for your skin type and condition.
As you can see, coconut oil is one of those ingredients that is great to keep at home as an everyday ingredient for cooking and skin care recipes.
Choosing a good coconut oil:
Coconut oil can be extracted in several ways. To get the absolute most benefits from coconut oil it is best to choose a brand that is organic so it's free of pesticide residues and is cold pressed meaning is extracted without heat.
Another thing to avoid is coconut oil that contains hexane a petroleum byproduct that is sometimes used in the extraction process. This ingredient can be toxic so I would recommend avoiding any coconut products that are not hexane free.
Enjoy trying these recipes - with coconut oil, the possibilities are almost endless.
Mia Gordon Mia Gordon is a blogger, natural remedies expert, researcher & author, best known for her popular "Natural Homemade Skin Care Recipes" book which shares hundreds of her best homemade recipes including repairing, nourishing and rejuvenating face masks, moisturizers, serums including coconut oil face treatments and exfoliators. How to use simple every day ingredients as well as essential oils with powerful skin nourishing benefits and useful tips on how to enjoy gorgeous glowing skin every day.
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