Use of coconut oil for body care and treatment of skin diseases

Benefits and harms

Coconut oil can significantly improve skin function, providing facial benefits that include:

Coconut oil is one of the most effective remedies for getting rid of wrinkles; the skin on the face becomes firm and elastic;
if there are rashes on the face in the form of acne or inflammation, then coconut oil will also help to cope with them; it is also used for prevention;
for dry facial skin, this product is also indispensable, since it is a supplier of fluid and oxygen to the cells;
oil can eliminate small cracks and relieve minor injuries on the face;
the antioxidant property fully provides coconut extract with the ability to renew and even out the texture;
can protect against ultraviolet rays and the negative effects of precipitation in the form of rain or snow;
makes the complexion smoother, eliminating age spots and giving it a healthy skin tone.

Coconut oil is a highly oily product. Possible harm from this cosmetic component is associated with this:

it is necessary to monitor the amount of the substance used at home; an excess amount can clog the pores on the face, limiting the access of oxygen;
for the same reason, this product can cause oily shine on the skin, giving an unkempt appearance;
If you have an individual intolerance to coconut, its extract can also provoke allergic reactions, which manifest themselves in the form of itching on the skin, redness and peeling.

Indications and contraindications

Indications for using coconut oil for the face include:

dry and dehydrated facial skin;
minor damage to the face (abrasions, scratches and cracks); comedones, acne and pimples;
minor allergic reactions from other drugs (coconut extract acts as a soothing and disinfectant);
wrinkles on the face; sagging skin;
dark spots; stretch marks on the face;
used as a protective agent against sunburn.

In contrast to its numerous beneficial qualities, coconut oil has virtually no contraindications. These include only intolerance to this cosmetic product. Also, for oily skin types, you should limit the amount of oil used in its pure form or use it only as part of homemade masks or creams.

Benefits of coconut oil for skin

Is coconut oil good for skin? Absolutely yes! Its composition is so valuable and rich that coconut oil is used as food - fried with it, added to confectionery. But when it comes to skin care, it has no equal.

The most valuable components in the production of coconut oil:

lauric acid - it makes up almost 50% of the volume. Improves metabolic processes, accelerates regeneration, kills bacteria. This compound is part of sebum. Therefore, the skin perceives coconut oil as a “native” substance. In addition, lauric acid penetrates cell membranes, making them more elastic, and has a rejuvenating effect;
myristic acid (about 20%) improves the penetration of other components into cells, in particular minerals and vitamins. Helps the oil to better adhere to skin cells and absorb faster;
Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that has a rejuvenating effect and slows down the aging process.

How to use it correctly

There are two types of coconut oil: cold pressed and hot pressed. Both varieties are used in cosmetology, but preference should still be given to the product obtained by the cold method - it contains significantly more useful substances that were not destroyed by high temperatures, but one must take into account that the price of such coconut oil is higher. It can also be refined (processed in several stages) and unrefined (received minimal processing). The best oil used for cosmetic procedures is unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil.

You can use coconut oil in many ways. The choice of one or another application method depends on the existing problem on the face and the desired result. Coconut oil is rarely used in its pure form. An indication for this may be pimples or blackheads. In this case, you need to apply the product pointwise, treating each pimple. Please note that this application is best suited for dry skin. Another reason to use coconut oil in its pure form is protection from sun rays while tanning. The undiluted product should be used no more than once every 7 days.

To prevent your face from becoming oily, it is better to add the product to your face cream - this will soften its nutritional properties and is well suited for oily skin types.

In other cases, coconut oil is used as one of the components of homemade masks. This method is the most preferable, as it allows you to enhance some qualities of coconut extract and weaken others, depending on the combination with other natural ingredients.

Before adding oil to the mask, it is recommended to heat it slightly - this will activate the beneficial substances and extract much more benefits. Masks should be used no more than 2 times a week.

But this rule does not apply to those cases when the product or masks containing it are applied immediately after solar procedures. Warm skin involves using cold coconut extract.

Tip: Coconut oil is often sold in butter form (solid) and must be melted before use.

Use of coconut oil in cosmetology

Coconut oil is an excellent base for creams, emulsions, masks and skin balms. Using the recipes below, you can prepare effective remedies at home.

Face masks

Sift 30 grams of rice flour and add 45 drops of coconut oil to it. Dilute the composition to the consistency of a thick cream with strong green tea, spread over the face, and leave for 16-20 minutes. A mask prepared according to this recipe can be used to care for any skin.
Mix 4 teaspoons of the product and 1/5 cup of finely ground coffee. Apply the resulting composition to the face for 12-15 minutes. With the systematic use of this recipe, blood circulation in the skin tissues is activated and their tone increases.
Combine ½ cup of crumbled bread crumbs, 2 teaspoons of hot milk and 50-55 drops of coconut oil. Mix the composition, spread on the face and leave for 35-37 minutes. A mask prepared using this recipe moisturizes the skin and saturates it with nourishing compounds.
Combine cosmetic clay of blue, white or pink color (1/4 cup) with oil extract (3 teaspoons), beat. Add 4 drops of orange essential oil to the composition. Spread the mask over your face, leave for 18-20 minutes, rinse with green tea. With the systematic use of this method, the oval of the face becomes clear, and small expression wrinkles disappear.
For oily skin, a mask made from coconut oil (50 drops) and tea tree oil (4 drops), lemon juice (30 drops) and honey (2 teaspoons) is suitable. Mix the listed ingredients, leave the mixture for 15 minutes, apply it to the face, wait 17-19 minutes and rinse with a weak chamomile decoction. The mask does not dry out the skin: the components it contains regulate the functioning of the sweat glands and destroy harmful microflora.
To prepare a tightening mask, mix oil from coconut (2 teaspoons), almonds (tablespoon), avocado (40 drops), rose hips (6 drops) and carrot seeds (4-5 drops). Every 2 days, apply the product to problem areas for 40 minutes.
Coconut pulp contains a complex of useful substances that allow you to use the oil obtained from it for the skin around the eyes, in the neck and décolleté area . To prepare a rejuvenating and moisturizing mask, you need to mix the yolk with coconut extract (40-45 drops) and a tablespoon of strong chamomile decoction. Apply the mixture to areas that require intense hydration and leave it on the skin for 20 minutes.
A refreshing mask for mixed skin types can be prepared from grated persimmon (1/2 fruit), a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of coconut oil and 1/5 cup of any starch. The mixture of these ingredients must be distributed over the face and left for 18-25 minutes.
You can speed up the regeneration of the epidermis with a mask made from coconut oil (a tablespoon) and mashed banana pulp (1/2 cup). Mix the ingredients well and spread in a thick layer over your face. After 40 minutes, remove the mask and apply nourishing cream to the skin.
To care for normal skin, it is advisable to use a mask made from full-fat sour cream, coconut oil and honey (1:1:1). The composition should be kept on the face for 25-27 minutes.
You can make a cleansing emulsion for your skin from coconut. To do this, just combine 6 drops of the product with natural yogurt (3 tablespoons) and vinegar (35-40 drops). Once every 12 hours, wipe your face with cotton wool soaked in the resulting composition.

Body products

Melt a tablespoon of wax in the microwave, dilute it with oil extracts of olive tree (4 teaspoons) and coconut (3 teaspoons). Treat steamed skin with the nutrient mixture. Regular use of this recipe helps provide the skin with all the necessary nutrients.
Coconut oil can be used for wraps that slow down the aging of the skin and prevent the appearance of cellulite. The product must be combined with cocoa powder 2:1, applied to problem areas, tightly wrapped with film and left for 45-60 minutes. After the procedure, you should treat your body with anti-cellulite cream.
To care for dry skin on your hands, you can use an emulsion made from the oils of chamomile (30 drops), coconut (2 teaspoons), lemon (6 drops), orange (4 drops) with the addition of glycerin (tablespoon). The cosmetic composition must be applied to problem areas twice a week for 20-25 minutes.
To prepare a balm that softens keratinized areas of the skin of the feet, you need to mix oil extracts of coconut (3 teaspoons), lemon balm (3 drops), tea tree (6 drops) and cypress (3 drops). Every evening, treat problem areas with the resulting product. The balm prepared according to this recipe can be used to combat excessive sweating of the feet.
You can prepare a natural scrub based on oily coconut extract. The product must be combined with medium-ground sea salt (1:1) and mixed well. Every time you take a shower, rub your body with the scrub using gentle massaging movements.
To prepare a moisturizing emulsion, you need to mix 100 g of coconut and 4 drops of oil extract from basil, lemon, lavender, rose and thyme. Apply the resulting mixture in a thin layer to the body after water procedures.
By using coconut oil on your body during pregnancy, you can prevent the appearance of stretch marks . To achieve maximum effect, the product must be mixed with almond oil and the skin of the abdomen and thighs should be treated with the resulting mixture every 3 hours.
To prepare sunscreen balm, you need to mix 4 types of oil in a convenient container: sesame (2 teaspoons), coconut (tablespoon), rose hips (30 drops) and peach (40 drops).
Sunburn can be treated with a mixture of coconut oil and finely ground coffee (2:1).

Precautionary measures

Before using this product, you need to make sure that you are not allergic to it. To do this, apply a small amount of the substance to the crook of your elbow or hand and monitor the reaction.

The oil should be stored in a cool and dark place, away from direct sunlight, this is the only way to extend its shelf life.

For oily skin, it is necessary to control the amount of product used to avoid clogging pores and oily shine.

Coconut oil does not require frequent use; you need to use it and masks with it no more than 2 times every 7 days, and the course usually consists of 10 or 15 procedures, otherwise the natural functions of the facial skin can be disrupted.

Contraindications for use

There are practically none. A rare occurrence is an allergy to coconut oil. To avoid negative consequences, you need to do a test on the wrist or the inside of the elbow: drop some liquid and wait for a reaction for 6-10 hours. Severe itching and redness indicate that you should not use the product.

You should not use a refined product - it does not nourish the dermis and clogs the pores.

It is not recommended to make a mask for the scalp. Apply only to the ends and lengths - prolonged use of fatty acids dries out the skin. But with short-term use, it helps fight dandruff.

Pregnant women should use the substance carefully - allergy symptoms and irritation may occur.

Photos before and after

The use of oil makes itself felt after just a few uses of the product, showing itself on the positive side - evening out the complexion, eliminating fine wrinkles and significantly reducing deep ones, eliminating inflammatory processes. In the photographs you can see the result of application.

To achieve maximum benefits when using homemade coconut masks, you need to choose a quality product (unrefined and cold-pressed), without applying them too often and monitoring the amount of substance. This is the only way to ultimately achieve healthy and elastic facial skin without a hint of wrinkles.