COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN
WHAT IS COCONUT OIL?
Coconut oil is an oil extracted from the meat or kernel of coconuts, at room temperature it is solid but can easily soften or melt when heated up. It has a particularly high saturated fat content and a few coconut oil uses include: cooking, cosmetic and industrial (biodiesel).
COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN
COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN
WHAT IS COCONUT OIL?
Coconut oil is an oil extracted from the meat or kernel of coconuts, at room temperature it is solid but can easily soften or melt when heated up. It has a particularly high saturated fat content and a few coconut oil uses include: cooking, cosmetic and industrial (biodiesel).
COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN
COCONUT OIL IN SKINCARE
Coconut oil is both popular as an ingredient in skincare products and to apply raw. When used raw it can be heavy on skin but still has many benefits and is highly nourishing. Coconut oil is majoritively made up of saturated fats that have a multitude of benefits for our skins defensive barrier function. The fats and essential amino acids in coconut oil help the barrier of our skin to remain strong, moisturised and looking great!
IS COCONUT OIL GOOD FOR SKIN?
BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN: IS COCONUT OIL GOOD FOR SKIN?
The hype around the benefits of coconut oil for skin is well deserved. It is rich in acids that are antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial.
IS COCONUT OIL GOOD FOR SKIN?
THE BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN INCLUDE:
Defending Skin from Damaging Microorganisms
The fatty acids that coconut oil contains, namely lauric and capric acid, are fantastic at keeping skin healthy due to their antimicrobial properties that mean they kill harmful microorganisms that can grow on our skin. Common skin infections such as acne, folliculitis and cellulitis are caused by fungi and bacteria which the lauric and capric acid in coconut oil help to kill.
Coconut Oil for Dry Skin is Highly Moisturising
Coconut oil has been found to be a highly effective moisturiser for dry and cracked skin. Coconut oil helps to hydrate skin and reinforce its natural defensive barrier to better retain moisture which means coconut oil for dry skin is fantastic.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Treat Acne
The anti-inflammatory properties that coconut oil has means it has the ability to help treat acne, which is an inflammatory condition. Not only this but both lauric and capric acid which are present in coconut oil have been shown to be capable of killing acne causing bacteria.
Coconut Oil Can Support Healing
Studies have proven that coconut oil has the ability to boost the level of antioxidants and collagen in our body, which both play an important role in the natural regeneration and repair process of our skin.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Reduce Inflammation
Another benefit of coconut oil for skin is that it can help to reduce inflammation through improving antioxidant status. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals (unstable atoms that attach to our skin) that can be inflammatory.
Coconut Oil Contributes to a More Even Skin Tone
Coconut oil for skin has been known to help reduce dark spots, soothe facial redness and help to fix an uneven skin tone.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Reduce Signs of Ageing Skin
As one of the benefits of coconut oil for skin is that it helps to increase the natural production of collagen, this helps to improve skin elasticity for firmer skin. Improved skin elasticity also means fine lines and wrinkles are less likely to appear.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Soften Skin
Several of the fatty acids that coconut oil contains, such as capric acid, are excellent emollients that help to soften skin.
IS COCONUT OIL GOOD FOR SKIN?
BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN: THE COMPOSITION OF COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is wholly composed of different fats and is mostly rich in medium chain saturated fatty acids.
IS COCONUT OIL GOOD FOR SKIN?
COCONUT OIL IS COMPOSED OF:
Caprylic Acid
This fatty acid makes up approximately 8% of coconut oil and has strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties which make it an effective treatment for numerous skin conditions.
Capric Acid
Is an excellent emollient and can help to moisturise skin, capric acid makes up approximately 7% of coconut oil.
Lauric Acid
Lauric acid makes up roughly 49% of coconut oil and has been linked to being the main reason for all of coconut oils benefits. Some research suggests that this acid can help with weight loss, reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's and more.
Myristic Acid
Most commonly myristic acid is used as a cleansing agent in cosmetics and makes up approximately 8% of coconut oil.
Palmitic Acid
Making up approximately 8% of coconut oil, palmitic acid is most often used as an emollient to soften skin or as a moisturiser in skincare.
Stearic Acid
This acid is commonly used in skincare products as an emulsifier but also is used in hair care products for its ability to protect and condition hair. Stearic acid makes up approximately 2% of coconut oil.
Oleic Acid
Oleic acid makes up roughly 6% of coconut oil and is used in many skincare products that target dry and aging skin as it is easily absorbed by the skin and is highly moisturizing.
Linoleic Acid
Linoleic acid comprises of about 2% of coconut oil and is amazing at strengthening the skin barrier so it can better retain moisture and keep harmful irritants out.
COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN
WHERE DOES COCONUT OIL COME FROM?
Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel of coconuts by either a wet or dry process. The dry process of producing coconut oil for skin involves extracting the meat before drying it off and pressing or dissolving the copra to get the oil. The wet process involves using extracted coconut milk and separating the emulsion of water and oil. The dry process of extracting coconut oil is usually preferred as it generates a higher yield and is cheaper.
Approximately 70% of the world's coconut oil is produced by the Philippines and Indonesia.
COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN
COCONUT OIL FOR DRY SKIN
One of the coconut oil benefits is that it has been proven to significantly increase skin hydration just as effectively as other mineral oils and keep it hydrated for longer. Coconut oil for dry skin can be used as a deep treatment to nourish dry and cracked skin, replenishing lost moisture and strengthening the skin barrier to retain it.
Coconut oil has also been found to help treat eczema and reduce its symptoms of dry, scaly and itchy skin that is prone to rashes.
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