One of the better ways to pamper your skin and keep yourself looking great is by using coconut oil on face. Just lately, the great things about coconut oil on face and skin were not widely known. However, the amazing properties of coconut oil imply that this adaptable natural oil can be used for more than simply cooking.
The therapeutic benefits of coconut oil make it a magnificent natural product to cleanse your face of impurities, lock moisture in your skin, and even heal blemishes and spots on your face. Actually, there are a lot of uses for coconut oil for skin, body, and general health that you will be surprised at how this secret was kept for such a long time!
In this article, you will learn about the amazing great things about coconut oil to your facial skin. You’ll also find out the best 10 ways to use coconut oil for healthy and radiant looking skin.
First of all, let’s briefly go through the explanations why coconut oil is a superb healing and soothing agent for your face and skin generally.
Reasons to Use Coconut Oil for Skin
You should choose raw always, organic, unrefined virgin coconut oil to use on your skin and face. Unrefined coconut oil is made up of all the nutrients, vitamins, and goodness that your skin needs. This is often just referred to as “pure coconut oil”.
Scientific research into the benefits of coconut oil for skin and face care has shown that it contains antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. For instance, research said that coconut oil includes medium-chain fatty acids that have an antimicrobial effect. The main fatty acid is lauric acid which performs an essential role in getting rid of off various bacterial and fungal infections on the skin.
Coconut oil is also among the best natural products to keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated which can be an essential requirement of good skin care. The study revealed that coconut oil helps to soothe and moisturize dry, itchy, scaly skin and is as effective as mineral oil as a moisturizer.
How to Use Coconut Oil on Face
Important precaution
Some individuals may experience allergic reaction when their skin comes into direct contact with coconut oil. Before using coconut oil on skin, it’s always advised to do a patch test prior to using it for the first time. If you develop reddish coloring, swelling, and inflammation on skin where it was exposed to coconut oil, rinse it off and avoid using it.
Let’s go through the top 10 uses for coconut oil on face.
1. Skin moisturizer
Coconut oil is among the best facial moisturizers which you can use to care for your skin. Moisture functions to protect your skin from various infections and the harmful effects of the pollution and environment. Coconut oil effectively locks in moisture to your skin to avoid itchiness, dryness, and scaling. Because coconut oil is normally solid at room temperature, it’s very easy to use it in any types of skin as a moisturizer by rubbing it between your hands.
One factor which makes coconut oil especially effective as a skin moisturizer in comparison with other natural oils is that it easily penetrates the skin. Experts have discovered that the lauric acid in coconut oil easily penetrates deep into the skin and remains in the dermis. This gives a strong defensive barrier on the skin’s surface and retains it clear of impurities.
To use coconut oil as a moisturizer for dry skin, apply coconut oil to your face after each time you wash. This is what you must do:
After cleansing your face, pat your face dry with a soft clean towel (that will also keep more moisture on your skin).
Put a little amount of coconut oil on a palm of your hand and rub your hands together to melt the oil.
Gently apply a little amount of coconut oil to your face by massaging it into your skin.
Wait for 5-10 minutes to let your skin absorb the coconut oil. Remove any extra oil off your skin with a clean tissue.
You can still use coconut oil for oily skin even though coconut oil is comedogenic which means it can block pores. As coconut oil is easily soaked up into the skin, the main element is to only use a small amount for moisturizing. Actually, the antibacterial properties of coconut oil can help fight oily skin conditions like acne as well.
Do this when using coconut oil to oily skin:
To begin with, clean your face with a mild soap and pat dry.
Warm the coconut oil by rubbing a little between your hands before applying the coconut oil on the face.
Wait for 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel.
Continue doing this daily and you’ll see that after a few days your skin is less oily and you have fewer breakouts.
2. Makeup remover
Using coconut oil to remove makeup on your face is merely one of the everyday uses of coconut oil. You will see that over time, if you regularly use coconut oil makeup remover on your face, you’ll have to spend less money on moisturizers and other skincare products and the condition of your skin will greatly improve. Coconut oil is also gentle enough to use on sensitive skin so it’s ideal for the sensitive skin on your face.
The oils and fatty acids in coconut oil effectively cut through makeup and take it off from your face and never have to resort to scrubbing or applying harsh makeup removers. This means that after removing makeup there is less chance that your skin is left damaged and irritated.
To use coconut oil to remove makeup:
Rub some coconut oil (about a pea-size amount) between your fingers
Carefully apply the coconut oil on your face around your eyes and on your eyelashes.
Using gentle circular movements, rub some coconut oil to your face to remove the rest of your makeup.
Use a warm, wet washcloth to remove excess oil and makeup.
Rinse your face with warm water.
Keep in mind, that coconut oil is the best way to remove makeup around your eyes since it won’t irritate your sight.
3. Facial scrub
You can use coconut oil to make a DIY facial scrub to obtain a beautiful glowing skin. To use coconut oil as a facial scrub for cleansing your face, you merely need to combine it with sugar and some other ingredients (see the recipe below).
The nourishing properties of coconut oil help with keeping your facial skin in great condition as the sugar gently exfoliates to eliminate dead skin cells and unblock pores on your face. Actually, because coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, it can help to reduce the looks of redness and blemishes on your cheeks and face.
This scrub can be used not only on the face, but on some other area that requires moisturizing and exfoliating such as preparing your skin before waxing hair removal.
This is a simple home recipe to make a facial scrub using coconut oil and sugar:
Mix together 1/2 cup organic cane sugar, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/4 cup sweet almond oil, and 1/4 cup of liquefied raw honey.
Add 6-8 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional).
Apply the coconut oil scrub to your face and using gentle circular motions, exfoliate your facial skin to unclog pores and loosen dead skin cells.
Repeat a few times weekly to keep your skin looking and feeling great.
4. Treats skin infection and skin conditions
Coconut oil can lessen the symptoms of lots of skin conditions that affect your face. For instance, eczema, ringworm, psoriasis, and allergic reactions that cause itchy red patches of skin to appear on the face and other areas of your body. Sometimes, the itchy skin can be scaly and rough. Frequently these itchy rashes are caused by bacterial or fungal infections, and coconut oil is among the finest natural treatments to get rid of these skin infections.
The fact that coconut oil can be an all-around home treatment to cure many skin conditions. The study showed that coconut oil effectively cures the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (most common kind of eczema). Its antibacterial activities help to kill off bacteria that cause infections, and the emollient effect of coconut oil also helps to soothe the dry skin related with eczema. Coconut oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent that will help to lessen itchiness and redness, which is also symptomatic of several skin conditions.
To soothe itchy, red skin that is causing you discomfort, all you need to do is massage virgin coconut oil directly on your face or other skin areas. Apply the coconut oil remedy 2-3 times a day until the itchiness and red skin have gone for good.
5. Coconut oil for dealing with acne
Many people use coconut oil to take care of face acne preventing further outbreaks of pimples, spots, and pustules. Acne is caused when excessive sebum and dead skins cells clog up pores. These pores may become inflamed and filled with pus when bacteria cause an infection. Although coconut oil doesn’t work for everybody that has acne, there are many individuals who have found this to be an effective home remedy for acne which can, in time, actually help to decrease the amount of sebum the skin produces.
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of coconut oil help reduce the volume of bacteria on the skin and reduce inflammation. One study discovered that lauric acid (the primary fatty acid in coconut oil) exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes – the bacteria responsible for inflammatory acne.
The simplest way to determine if coconut oil can help get rid of your acne is to try a little amount on a small area of skin. You can even improve the antibacterial effect of coconut oil by adding a few drops of tea tree oil.
Studies show that tea tree oil is also an efficient natural ingredient to combat the bacteria that cause acne. For instance, in one study, tea tree oil was shown to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, a popular medication used to treat acne.
When you have acne-prone skin, the ultimate way to use coconut oil and get rid of pimples naturally is to begin out using a little amount of coconut oil to see if it can help your skin. All you need to do to use coconut oil for dealing with acne is to combine 4 drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and store in a glass jar. Apply a little amount of coconut oil on your face 2-3 times each day and repeat applying the treatment until the acne has gone.
If you’re worried about acne scars on your face, please read my article about how to remove acne scars naturally to see how you can use coconut oil in reducing the appearance of scars caused by acne.
6. Prevents premature aging and reduces facial wrinkles
You can help decrease the appearance of wrinkles on your face if you regularly use coconut oil as a skin moisturizer. Wrinkles can show up when collagen in the skin breaks down and the skin loses its elasticity. Regular use of coconut oil on your face and neck can help keep your skin hydrated preventing collagen loss, thus giving your skin a much smoother look.
The study showed that virgin coconut oil helps wounds to heal quicker because its components help boost collagen production. More collagen in the skin means which it looks plumper and wrinkles are less noticeable.
Apply a tiny amount of coconut oil on your face in the morning and night as your daily moisturizer. The nourishing properties of coconut oil can help prevent the signs of premature aging and keep your skin looking vibrant for longer.
7. Soothes chapped lips
The moisturizing and healing properties of coconut oil make it among the finest natural ingredients to help soothe chapped lips. What’s more, coconut oil has a delightful taste to and it is completely non-toxic.
The best way to use coconut oil to soothe cracked, dry, and chapped lips is to keep some in a small glass jar with you. It is easy to apply to your lips because coconut oil is usually solid at room temperature. Massage a little amount of coconut oil to your lips any time you need quick relief.
8. Heals cold sores
Cold sores (fever blisters) are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) and can cause unsightly and painful blisters around your lips. You may use coconut oil to help increase the healing process of cold sores and help soothe the discomfort that cold sores cause.
Coconut oil contains many antimicrobial and moisturizing properties that will help treat fever blisters quickly.
To use coconut oil for curing cold sores, use a clean cotton swab to apply a little amount of coconut oil directly to the affected lips and the surrounding facial skin. You must do this once you feel the tingling sensation on your lips that signals the onset of a cold sore. The antiviral properties of coconut oil may then help to decrease the severity and spread of the infection.
The soothing effect of coconut oil can also provide welcome relief to moisturize cold sore blisters which have become crusty. The antibacterial activity of coconut oil also prevents any secondary infections from developing in your mouth and around your lips.
9. Natural shaving gel
One of the best reasons to keep coconut oil in your bathroom is by using coconut oil as a shaving gel. Applying coconut oil to your face before shaving is a great way to soften the bristles and prepare your skin for shaving.
The benefit of using coconut oil as a facial shaving cream is that its antibacterial activity helps to protect your skin from infection. Furthermore the anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil prevent hair follicles from becoming inflamed after shaving. Using coconut oil in your shaving routine is also an efficient and natural means of avoiding razor bumps and burns.
The simplest way to use coconut oil for shaving is to apply a little amount to your face before shaving. Here’s how to do it:
Dampen your face with a clean warm wash cloth or shave once you’ve come out of the shower.
Put a little amount of coconut oil between the palms of your hands and rub together.
Carefully massage the coconut oil into your face and leave for a minute or so.
Shave as normally, keep in mind never to shave against the grain.
The moisturizing effect of coconut oil means that you might not have to put any moisturizers on your face after shaving. However, if you want to, you may use coconut oil as a skin moisturizer also.
You can even use aloe vera together with coconut oil to make a pre-shave and aftershave lotion. You’ll find out how to make the soothing cream at home about the countless health benefits of a coconut oil and aloe vera combination.
10. Sunburn relief
After a day in the sun, you can apply coconut oil right to your face and other skin areas to lessen the redness and discomfort caused by sunburn. Sun damage can dry out your skin and lead it to lose its elasticity. Also, the hazardous effects of the sun’s radiation can cause blisters on the skin and burns. Coconut oil is among the best natural ingredients to remove sunburn and sunburn blisters.
A study showed that coconut oil is anti-inflammatory and can help reduce redness and skin inflammation on damaged skin
To use coconut oil for sunburn to get relief from damaged and burned skin, apply coconut oil directly to the affected skin. Repeat 2-3 times each day to soothe burned skin on your face to heal and reduce redness quicker.
Although coconut oil has an extremely low SPF factor, you ought not use it for protection from the sun’s harmful rays and it cannot replace a sunscreen.
