Coconut oil is as popular in people’s skincare routine as it is in their kitchen. The oil is rich in saturated fat, in fact, 90% of coconut oil is saturated fat only. Ask your elders, and you’ll most likely hear the many exciting benefits of pure and unrefined coconut oil for your health. But is coconut oil on face as good as it is for the digestive system and immunity?
Well, we all know how this oil rose to fame. People were so amazed by the magical properties of this edible oil that they incorporated it into their skincare routines. At the same time, some people believe that this oil is pretty overrated. So, to clarify this subject, we have researched coconut oil, its healing properties, and tips for applying coconut oil on face. Let’s get started.
Should You Use Coconut Oil for Your Face?
There’s no cut-and-dry answer to this question. You need to consider a number of factors before using any oil on your face. For example, your skin type matters the most. Not every skin can handle the thick layer of natural oil.
Coconut oil is rich in MCTs, lauric acid specifically. This ingredient alone adds many nourishing properties to the coconut. Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory are just to name a few. It is also rich in linoleic acid, which gives it excellent hydrating properties. If you have dry and sensitive skin, coconut oil can be a good addition to your skincare. It can fight atopical dermatitis. It’s also known for its ability to make the outermost layer of your skin strong enough to handle the environmental elements.
Despite being a great hydrator and an antibacterial ingredient, coconut oil is not good for certain skin types (especially for the face). It clogs pores, which eventually leads to acne. People with acne-prone or oily skin may not want to use coconut oil for face acne. That being said, you can still apply coconut oil to your hair and the areas of the face that aren’t prone to pimples, redness, and acne. In addition, the oil is not great for the chest, upper back, and other areas of your body that have the most oil glands. As a general rule, you should test the oil on a small patch before applying it all over the skin.
While people with dry and sensitive skin can use this oil as a natural moisturizer, it shouldn’t be used as a sunscreen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should have SPF 30 or above to block 97% of the UV rays. Unfortunately, coconut oil has SPF 8, which can block only 20% of the UV rays. While there are many benefits of applying coconut oil on face, it’s certainly not a good idea to use it as a sunscreen or apply it to acne-prone areas.
Benefits of Coconut Oil on Face Overnight
Rich in anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, coconut oil has everything you need from your skincare products. Virgin coconut oil comes packed with many nourishing properties and nutrients that keep your skin moisturized all day long. You just need to get the application right, and you are all set to experience its amazing benefits. Here we’ve found some benefits of using coconut oil on face and leaving it overnight. Let’s take a look.
Moisture-retaining Properties
Coconut oil is used as a moisturizer. Leave it overnight on your face and rinse your face with lukewarm water the next day to see glowing skin. Or, you can apply it in the daytime, i.e. after washing your face. Either way, coconut oil can retain moisture, keeping your skin looking fresh and rejuvenating. It also keeps your face hydrated all day. Its moisture-retaining properties make coconut oil a perfect solution for dry and sensitive skin.
In addition, it boosts the natural collagen production process. This makes your skin firm and supple. Apply it every night to get smooth skin. In fact, a gentle oil massage on your face can instantly give you super soft skin and an improved texture.
Protects Your Skin
Earlier, we mentioned how coconut oil is a magical solution to environmental threats. It contains a high concentration of lauric acid, which does wonders for people who go out every day. If you are worried about your skin coming in contact with dirt, dust, toxins, and other environmental elements, apply coconut oil before going out. Its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties work as the barrier on your topmost layer of the skin, protecting it from environmental threats. Sometimes, you just need protection from all the sticky elements that get stuck to your face. That’s where coconut oil steps in.
It’s Good for Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Crow’s feet, wrinkles, and fine lines are part of your aging process. And while there’s no way you can reverse it, some cosmetic treatments can help slow down aging. Botox and Radiesse injections, for example, can fill the wrinkles and fine lines, giving you smooth skin. But, these chemical treatments come with their share of side effects.
If you are looking for a natural way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, try coconut oil. It can’t reverse aging, but regular application of this oil at night can significantly reduce the fine lines. Coconut oil contains a high concentration of antioxidants that can fight against the environmental elements contributing to aging. Try coconut oil on face every day to make those aging signs less obvious.
Lighten Dark Spots
Do you have freckles or dark spots from acne? You can use coconut oil to lighten these marks. Rich in lauric acid, coconut oil has skin whitening properties. If you are tired of dull skin, apply coconut oil every day at night and wash your face the next day. Do it for a few weeks.
Natural Remedy for Eczema, Psoriasis, and Dermatitis
Coconut oil is suitable for nearly all skin types — whether you have dry skin, sensitive one, or oil skin. It’s also pretty good at fighting bacterial and fungal infections, such as eczema and psoriasis. If you spot white and flaky skin on your face (forehead specifically), try coconut oil. It prevents viruses, microbes, and bacteria from spreading all over your face. Besides that, a significant amount of Vitamin E in the oil means it offers anti-aging benefits too.
Repairs Damaged Skin
Some people say that coconut oil is not good for people with acne-prone skin, as it clogs pores, making your acne worse. However, we can’t deny its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Rich in antioxidants, coconut oil can clear your skin of all the dirt and impurities. It can serve as a natural acne treatment.
It’s rich in Vitamin E, making it an excellent product for damaged skin. It’s also a perfect remedy for acne scars. The oil has soothing properties, which reduce inflammation and redness due to bacterial infection. If the acne is caused by bacterial infection, you should definitely give coconut oil a shot. Vitamin E in coconut oil improves your skin’s ability to heal faster and naturally. If your acne is gone but has left scars, try coconut oil every night.
Note: While coconut oil boasts anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, it must never be used as a natural alternative to your skin medication or topicals. If you are applying coconut oil with other moisturizers, consult a dermatologist. Ask if it’s safe to use coconut oil as an acne fighter.
How to Choose the Right Coconut Oil?
If you have been buying coconut oil for a while, you must be aware of the different labels. Coconut oil comes in various labels, each indicating its method of production.
Coconut oil is extracted with heat and pressure for most applications, but you can also find cold-compressed virgin coconut oil. The oil is derived from the fresh coconut fruit extracted from the palm trees. To cater to a huge demand for coconut oil, manufacturers use different chemical processes to extract fresh oil from coconut meat. For your skin care, coconut oil extracted using the cold-compressed technique is highly recommended. The method is relatively less harsh than the expeller method
The oil collected from the cold-compressed method is believed to offer all the essential nutrients that coconut is known for. These nutritional properties are stripped away when the oil is extracted using heat and pressure. These nutrients can be very beneficial for your skin. While it’s true that not every skin is perfect for coconut oil, this nutrient-rich fruit does wonders to dry and sensitive skin if applied correctly.
Refined and unrefined, both types of coconut oils are great for your skin (especially if you are using them as a moisturizer). However, unrefined coconut oil is your best bet. It’s perfect for skin care. That’s because unrefined means the oil doesn’t lose its nutritional value. Put it this way, the cold-compressed method of extraction gives you natural coconut oil, which retains most of the nutrients. That’s how virgin unrefined coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that form a protective layer on your skin, keeping it safe from environmental threats. Another plus point of this method is that it doesn’t involve any additives, pesticides, or harmful ingredients. So, you can have peace of mind knowing that the finished product is 100% fresh and free from any chemicals.
How do you use coconut oil on your face overnight?
Use it as a Face Wash
Take a few drops and apply them to your face by hand and massage in a circular motion. Leave it for a few minutes and wash your face with a mild face wash. It is used as a natural cleanser that takes away all the dirt on your face and gives you soft, supple, and clear skin.
Apply as a Face Mask
Coconut oil can be used as a face mask when combined with other natural ingredients. You can create a DIY face mask using your favorite ingredients. Try lemon juice, turmeric, coconut oil, and raw honey. Make a thick paste of these ingredients and apply it all over your face. Keep it for 10-15 minutes, and rinse your face with lukewarm water. It’s a great way to pamper your skin. Try this coconut oil face mask every 2-3 days to retain skin moisture and glow.
Remove Makeup
Do you know coconut oil works as a natural makeup remover? In fact, it can remove the waterproof mascara and eyeliner that won’t disappear with your regular face wash. Take a few drops of oil on cotton and sweep it across the upper eyes gently. It magically removes those thick layers of eyelashes and eye shadows. The best part is that it leaves your eyes hydrated instead of stripping away the natural oils. Once you are done removing makeup with coconut oil, wash your face with your regular-use face wash.
Use it on the Lips
You can make a tinted lip gloss, lip balm, and even a lip scrub with virgin coconut oil. Add a pop of color to your lips with a nice homemade lip tint. The recipe is simple. Just add the bits of your favorite lipstick shades to the coconut oil, and your lip gloss is ready. Oil pulling is a great way to freshen your mouth and get rid of those odor-causing bacteria. You can use coconut oil as a mouth freshener. Swirl it until the color turns milky white and spit. However, don’t consider it a replacement for brushing, flossing, and other dental hygiene steps.
Use liquefied coconut oil on your face and other dry areas of your body. After application, remove thick portions from your skin and leave the oil overnight. Wash your face with lukewarm water in the morning, or you can also wash your face with a gentle face wash. You can leave coconut oil and aloe vera on your face overnight. So, these were the benefits of applying coconut oil on face. Hope it helps.
