We all know that when it comes to beauty care, a lot of products get their “15 minutes of fame” but then seem to fade in popularity. Well don’t expect this to be the case with coconut oil, which over the past few years has become a must-have for many beauty conscious consumers. Today coconut oil, in addition to its use in cooking and baking, can be found in a wide range of skin creams, soaps and lotion and hair care products.
Coconut oil’s beauty benefits can be attributed to its composition of seven medium-chain fatty acids, which eliminate moisture lost through pores in the skin and so help retain the skin’s moisture content. Three of these medium-chain fatty acids, specifically capric, caprylic and lauric, also have strong disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. When coconut oil is applied to the skin, these three fatty acids offer protection from microbial infections that can enter the body either from open wounds or even through the pores.
Coconut oil also contains Vitamin E, which inhibits free radical damage that results in wrinkles. Vitamin E boosts the production of collagen, the protein in skin that gives it strength and durability. It also helps diminish wrinkles by supporting the growth of new skin cells and speeding up cell regeneration.
Coconut oil’s many beauty uses
With its moisturizing and antiaging properties, here are a few of the ways to consider using coconut oil in your beauty regimen each day.
- Facial cleanser: With its antibacterial and antifungal – as well as moisturizing – properties, coconut oil makes a good cleanser. You won’t need a lot. Even a teaspoon will do. Massage the oil over your skin in circular motions. Rinse a wash cloth in warm water and place it over your face for about 30 seconds. After that, wipe off coconut oil with the cloth. You also can use coconut oil with another cleanser. After you massage in the coconut oil, remove any residue with your favorite cleanser.
- Lip Balm: Coconut oil is ideal for chapped lips. You can pack a bit in a small jar and use it throughout the day.
- Body Oil: Apply coconut oil on damp skin after a bath or shower and pat dry.
- Night cream: with its antioxidant properties, coconut oil makes a great night cream
- Eye makeup remover: Apply coconut oil on a cotton ball and gently sweep over eyes. Wash your face as you normally would after using.
- Body scrub: You can use ½ cup of coconut oil with a handful of salt or sugar to make your own body exfoliator.
Skin anti-aging also gets boost from another popular ingredient
Another ingredient that is growing in popularity these days because of its anti-aging properties is retinol. Retinol is a type of retinoid, a potent antioxidant derivative of Vitamin A. Stronger-strength retinoids are prescription only. However retinols can be included in products sold over the counter or on the web.
Retinol products such as True Results Retinol Active Skincare achieve their anti-aging results by protecting skin from free radicals and prompting surface skin cells to turn over and die rapidly so that new skin cells can grow. Retinols also slow down the breakdown of collagen, the protein in skin that gives it strength and durability.
Sources:
Alexandra Early, “Skin Benefits of Coconut Oil,” Livestrong.com. January 13, 2014, www.livestrong.com/article/176393-skin-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
Clark Sarullo, “Benefits of Vitamin E Oil for Skin,” Livestrong.com. September 14, 2015, www.livestrong.com/article/25515-benefits-vitamin-e-oil-skin/
“Coconut Oil for Skin,” Organic Facts. www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/coconut-oil-for-skin.html
Julia Foskey, Product Review: Coconut Oil As A Face Cleanser,” bellabox, May 14, 2014 bellabox.com.au/beautyguide/product-review-coconut-oil-as-a-face-cleanser
Popsugar, “21 Unexpected Beauty Uses of Coconut Oil,” Allure, April 11, 2014 www.allure.com/story/beauty-uses-for-coconut-oil