Although there was a time when almost every skincare product was coconut oil-based, it’s an entirely different story now. Sure, there’s no doubt that it has many pros, but recent studies and experiences suggest several cons as well.
As such, there isn’t one simple, definitive answer to it all. It’s a way more complicated topic than you’d imagine. If you want to determine whether something is good or bad for you, you need to consider various things. Things are never simply black or white; hence, coconut oil can be pretty bad for your looks but good for something else entirely.
Unfortunately, some people claim one thing, while others advocate quite the opposite. Moreover, it’s pretty easy to mistake reliable information and use coconut oil in the wrong way. Luckily for you, we’re here to put an end to the debate once and for all. The following text will help you understand how coconut oil affects our looks.
The Benefits of Coconut Oil for the Skin
In case you didn’t know, the root of most skin problems are microorganisms. From acne to cellulitis — they all stem from fungi or various bacteria. And here’s where coconut oil comes into play — it’s full of fatty acids that work wonders when confronted with microorganisms that cause inflammation.
Both capric and lauric acids are the reason why coconut oil is so good for our skin. These two acids have useful characteristics when in contact with bacteria and fungi. Not only do they slow bacterial growth, but they also kill the bacteria.
On the other hand, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties too. Studies show that it can help people who are suffering from skin disorders. Among these unpleasant conditions are psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis. But coconut oil doesn’t just help your organism fight these disorders off; it also helps with the pain they tend to cause.
Coconut oil is also great for treating dry skin. This common problem is as unpleasant as it looks. Luckily, with the use of organic coconut oil, your skin can completely transform through hydration. It’s an easy yet effective way of rejuvenating your looks.
Although testing something on animals isn’t the same as doing it on humans, coconut oil shows great effects in healing wounds. Once applied to wounds on rats, they appeared to get better in less time. Tests show that it raises the level of the protein collagen. It also shows signs of helping with anti-oxidation too.
However, aside from these antibacterial and anti-fungi characteristics, coconut oil has its downsides too. People with oily skin types will want to avoid using it. It will clog pores in their skin and cause blackheads to appear in great numbers.
Why Is Coconut Oil Bad for the Face?
Using products with coconut oil overnight might not be the best idea out there. Sure, it’s full of the benefits we’ve just mentioned, but as we’ve said — nothing’s black and white. Coconut oil will not only hurt people who are acne-prone when they apply it on their face, but it will also up the risk for those who aren’t. Also, it can cause unpleasant side effects for people who are allergic to hazelnuts and walnuts.
Applying coconut oil overnight will clog the pores on your face, making whiteheads, blackheads, and nasty pimples a reality in the morning. And in case your skin is inclined to similar conditions, you’ll only make the state of it even worse. Coconut oil is comedogenic, which means it won’t allow your skin to “breathe.” Since it’s pretty heavy, when combined with your natural skin oils, it will form a nasty breeding ground for bacteria.
Other Coconut Oil Cons
Other reasons why some people might avoid using coconut oil are different medications and antibiotics. People who suffer from dehydration or some form of kidney problems shouldn’t use it either. Furthermore, in case your cholesterol isn’t good, you should forget about using coconut oil as a skincare product. The problem is — coconut oil is almost pure saturated fat.
In case you’re using drugs or some herbs that lower your blood pressure, your favorite coconut oil-based product might affect your health too. It can cause your already lowered blood pressure to go even lower, which can be pretty dangerous. Of course, these examples may not apply to everyone looking to use it. But they’re worthy of mention, seeing how dangerous in some instances plant oils as the coconut one can be.
How to Use Coconut Oil in Your Skincare Routine
Again, it’s important to be aware of the cons of using coconut oil before you opt to add it to your skincare routine. If you find anything alarming about the last couple of sentences you’ve read, please don’t use it. There are so many quality and effective skincare products out there — we’re sure you’ll find something safe for your body. But if the aforementioned risks don’t apply to you, check out the following techniques.
Firstly, it’s important to know that you can use it all over your body, including the face, if you don’t have an acne condition or oily skin. It can also make for a great makeup remover before bed if you want to try it out. But its main effects are anti-aging and dry skin treatment. Also, don’t get it in your eyes because it can affect your vision for some time.
You should liquefy about one tablespoon of coconut oil and rub it in your hands until it feels soft and thin. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to apply it to your body. Neck, face, breasts, it will help them look rejuvenated in no time. After applying it, you should use a soft tissue to remove the excessive, top level of it on your skin.
A thin layer of it should work wonders overnight. Just don’t use cotton balls as they tend to stick firmly to the oil. If you’re willing to use it as a makeup remover, remember to repeat the process afterward to make it work as a skin conditioner. Also, it’s important to note that you should aim for organic virgin coconut oil, or extra virgin, or just unrefined as they prove to provide the most benefits to your body.
Bottom Line
Coconut oil has its pros and cons, just like any other product. It’s important to know that it can cause problems if you already have oily skin, are on medication or antibiotics, or have cholesterol issues. It’s great in fighting microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. If used properly, it will help you with anti-aging and dry skin.