Coconut oil is among the ingredients with plenty of potential to be used in your kitchen, just as it is in your routine for skincare. However, for every article that promotes coconut oil as a beauty ingredient, another states that coconut oil for skin is underrated. What is the benefit of adding coconut oil into your routine of skincare?
This is dependent on the kind of coconut oil that you use to treat your skin. “Coconut oil comes from the flesh of mature coconuts that are located on specially-designed palm trees known as cocos nucifera (coconut trees),” says Suzanne Friedler, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology PC in New York. “There are a variety of chemical and mechanical methods utilized to produce coconut oil. For use in skincare and cosmetics. Unrefined (virgin and additional-virgin) chilled coconut oil the best choice.”
This is because , when coconut oil is cold-pressed and the oil is extracted without using heat it is thought to preserve greater amounts of oil’s nutrients as compared to other methods of processing. (More about that in the future.)
In terms of what these nutrients can do to provide your skin with a boost and whether coconut oil can be an ideal addition to your skin care routine The following is what dermatologists know about it so far.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Coconut Oil for Skin Care Coconut Oil for Skin
One of the most important role that coconut oil can play in your skin care routine is as it being a moisturizer due to its richness in medium-chain fatty acids, including lauric acid that has powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial capabilities as well as linoleic acid. an hydrator that is a star.
Emollient properties in coconut oil are beneficial in improving the barrier function of the skin (the most outer layer of your skin that protects your body from environmental hazards) and makes it a valuable as a supplement to your daily skincare routine for those with dry sensitive skin, sensitive or Atopic allergic dermatitis.
Apart from being super hydrating coconut oil is also able to create an extra layer of protection that lies over the skin. It locks in moisture. It also prevents the loss of transepidermal fluid (where water flows through the skin before it evaporates to the atmosphere).
This protective layer aids in repairing fractures in the outer layer of skin more effectively which makes it less likely for harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus the most common bacteria present on the skin and cause infection, says Friedler.
Coconut oil also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that together along with its moisturizing and emollient benefits could help speed wound healing.
Its antioxidant properties assist in neutralizing and stopping free radicals caused by UV rays as well as pollution “applying coconut oil immediately after sun exposure can benefit the complexion,” claims New York City dermatologist board certified Hadley King, MD. A word of caution: don’t apply coconut oil on sunburns because it’s sealing agent, which can trap sun’s heat and make the burn worse. When your skin has taken a few days to recover (and does not feel like it’s burning) Then, you can apply coconut oil to help heal and replenish your body.
Do You Need to Apply Coconut Oil for Your Face?
In spite of the antibiotic and antibacterial benefits in coconut oil it’s not the most effective acne fighter. “Coconut oil is a bit comedogenic, which means that it can cause clogging of pores and lead to the appearance of acne” according to King. “If you suffer from oily skin or acne-prone coconut oil shouldn’t be applied to areas with acne-prone skin.” Avoid applying coconut oil on your chest, face and upper back, as well as shoulders since these parts of the skin contain the largest oil glands. Also, tests on other parts of your body prior to going all-in.
“I also do not recommend coconut oil to be used as a sunscreen” adds Friedler. “There’s no evidence to suggest its use for this purpose.” Coconut oil is believed with an SPF 8. It blocks just 20% of sunlight’s rays in accordance with the ChiltanPure. It’s suggested that your skin is protected by a broad spectrum sunscreen with at minimum SPF 30.
How to Choose the Best Coconut Oil for Skin
Both refined and unrefined oils contain triglycerides (fatty acids) and are great moisturizers. However, since unrefined coconut oil has higher levels of phytonutrients (compounds made by plants that help shield them from environmental dangers including antioxidants) and is the most effective option for your skin.
“The high temperatures utilized in the production process of refined coconut oil strip away a lot of the antioxidants in coconut oil, that’s why experts in skincare suggest using coconut oil that is not refined to get the added benefits,” says King.
Choosing a natural cold-pressed coconut oil is an easier processing process is employed that doesn’t contain chemicals, pesticides or additives in the final product, which is a huge advantage to your skin.
When you’re ready to incorporate coconut oil to your skin care routine as a moisturizing cream, shaving cream, lip balm or all of the above, you should consider taking one of these choices to try.
