Style July 20, 2017
It's magic. Seriously.
Skin problems? Coconut oil is apparently all you need.
Really, it’s magic for anything.
I’ve been straightening my hair every day since first grade. So, I’ve gone through my share of heat protectants, hair mask, oils, serums and more to help my dry, dead hair.
But nothing stood up to coconut oil.
After I started regularly using coconut oil as a hair mask, my hair has been softer, shinier, hydrated and less frizzy. So, if you’re looking to drop your expensive makeup removers, lotions and serums for this natural ingredient, here are some of its best uses.
According to makeup artist and formulator Rose-Marie Swift who talked to Well and Good, a lifestyle and news publication, coconut oil has antibacterial properties and a gentle grime removing action that’s best for removing makeup.
“It takes off the most stubborn high-tech mascara with ease,” Swift said. “And doesn’t it seem like a much healthier option for skin than all those synthetic chemical concoctions.”
Cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson also told Well and Good that coconut oil helps activate the skin’s repairing capabilities.
“The fatty acids help reinforce the skin’s natural lipid barrier,” Wilson said. “This process helps lock moisture in the skin, promoting hydration.”
She also said that the oil might be too greasy for some, so moisturizers with a coconut base work just as well.
Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D., of Manhattan Dermatology And Cosmetic Surgery told Teen Vogue that due to the fatty acid’s anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil works best to help combat bacteria in the skin.
But she also warns that the oil can clog your pores. Teen Vogue said people with oily and acne-prone skin tend to use products that strip the skin of its natural oils. This forces the skin to produce more oil to compensate for the lost oil, which causes acne.
Coconut oil is used to draw out impurities from the skin while replenishing it with its vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and lauric acid components.
Ultimately, Engelman suggests using coconut oil as a makeup remover paired with a gentle skin cleanser. The cleanse will remove the oil and sebum that coconut oil lifts from your skin. So basically, the oil should never be used as the only part of your skin routine.
Nothing can help reverse the anti-aging process. But, coconut oil contains antioxidants such as vitamin E and pro vitamin A that aid in slowing down the aging process, according to New York based dermatologist Dr. David Bank who talked to Bustle.
“Oxidation is one of the main reasons for skin aging, and coconut oil may help reduce the free radical damage,” Bank said.
Celebrity facialist Ildi Pekar also told Bustle that coconut oil contains properties that help with damaged skin.
“The antioxidants and ferulic acid in coconut oil are helpful for anti-aging in reducing wrinkles and age spots. Coconut oil can also assist with repairing sun damage and create a healthy glow,” Pekar said.
Coconut oil clogs pores because its purpose is to lock in moisture. This is why people use it to lock in the moisture in their hair. But if you don’t have a problem with dehydrated skin, coconut oil can be too greasy for your face.
But for people who struggle with seriously dry skin, coconut oil can help you lock in the moisture your skin has been so desperately craving.
According to celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, commercial moisturizers can make your skin feel hydrated until the water in the moisturizer dries.
“In contrast, coconut oil provides deep and real moisture. It helps strengthen underlying tissues and helps remove excessive dead cell on the skin’s surface that makes your skin rough and flaky in texture,” she told The Huffington Post. “It also great for shine and as a natural moisturizer for your hair.”
Basically, coconut oil has become the cure for whatever ails you. And with all of its healing components, we believe it.
