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.
Tips and Tricks
It is important to make sure that you are using real honey from a reliable source that you trust. Otherwise, the benefit from such masks will be minimal, since unscrupulous honey sellers feed their bees with sugar syrup, and there is no benefit from such honey. As with all natural skin care ingredients, please ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction. Do a little honey and coconut oil mask test, especially if you have sensitive skin. Simply apply the mask to a small area of skin and leave for 20 minutes, then wash off and see the results after 12 hours. The melting point of coconut oil is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, in order to mix coconut oil evenly, it must be slightly colder than 77 degrees, but at the same time be in a liquid state. If the honey is solid, heat it for 2-3 seconds in the microwave. To remove the mask, you can use any cloth soaked in warm water. If there are traces of the mask left, you should repeat the procedure. Lavender essential oil is an additional component. But we must remember that lavender essential oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can help in the fight against acne. Essential oil effectively soothes irritated skin.
Please be careful with the ingredients if you choose to apply them to your face. For example, many masks contain lemon juice and cinnamon, but they can irritate the skin, especially in concentrated doses.
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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.
How to use coconut oil for the body?
It is used in:
- body scrubs, including anti-cellulite ones. To do this, the main component is mixed with sea salt or ground coffee and rubbed into damp skin. For very light peeling of sensitive skin, you can use coarse granulated sugar. After a light massage, leave the product for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Thanks to salt and coffee, the oil is washed off more easily. But if there remains a feeling of a greasy film, then you can add a little honey - a teaspoon per 50 g of oil (provided that there is no allergy to bee products);
- nourishing creams and balms. For very dry, sunburned and irritated skin, whipped butter is suitable. To do this, 50 g of coconut oil must be mixed with a tablespoon of avocado and jojoba. You can add a teaspoon of honey. And 5 drops each of essential oils of lavender, juniper or rosemary. Beat with a mixer, rub into dry skin after shower with massage movements;
- anti-cellulite agents. For 50 g of oil, take 10 drops of orange, lemon and cedar oils, stir thoroughly. Can be used to massage problem areas or wrap.
Super nourishing restorative balm for the skin of the feet and elbows: heat and mix coconut oil (50 g), jojoba (20 g) and beeswax (5 g), add 10 drops of chamomile essential oil (or any other with anti-inflammatory properties). You can add half a teaspoon of sea buckthorn, but be careful with it - it stains the skin. Half a teaspoon of vitamin E will also not hurt. In this case, wax gives thickness and allows you to create a protective film on the skin. Mix, transfer to a clean jar, apply twice a day to problem areas. It is effective to use on hands and feet at night - under cotton gloves and socks.
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.
Coconut oil for baths
A warm bath has a relaxing effect on the mind and body. Adding one or two tablespoons of coconut oil to water can not only calm your nerves, but also take care of your skin. The oil quickly dissolves in hot water and is deeply absorbed into the skin, softening it. Forget about everyday life for at least half an hour and treat yourself to the tropical aroma of coconut! This bath relieves itching and flaking of the skin, perfectly pacifies and soothes. Read more about how to use coconut oil for baths here .
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.
Coconut oil for sunburn
Coconut oil is one of the best remedies for burns caused by excessive sun exposure. The destruction of the ozone layer makes the impact of the sun increasingly aggressive. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates the protective layer and harms our skin. Coconut oil relieves irritation, effectively copes with redness, moisturizes the skin and reduces flaking. Apply some cold coconut oil to your skin and experience instant relief.
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.
