Coconut oil is not only famous for its benefits as an edible oil throughout the world, but also as an excellent oil for skin. It has various skin benefits as it makes it soft, smooth and also cure many skin disorders. Read more on benefits of coconut oil for skin in this article.
Coconut oil is not only used for cooking, but also used in several other ways in tropical countries throughout the world. People in these regions use coconut oil on their skin as they believe that this oil provides protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Thus, coconut oil without any additives or chemicals provide protection and nourishment to skin. Some exceptional natural qualities of coconut oil make it so beneficial for the skin, lets talk about these in detail to get to know about various skin benefits of coconut oil.
The benefits of coconut oil go far beyond our realization. Medium-chain fatty Acids (MCFA), including unique caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid, are the secrets behind this amazing superfood. Almost 62% of coconut oil is made up of these 3 healthy fatty acids. Moreover, 91% of coconut oil is healthy saturated fat, which is extremely beneficial for humans. MCFA, found in coconut oil, is a great energy source.
Beneficial Properties of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids
Other long-chain fatty acids found in plant-based oils require a 26-step process to turn into energy compared to a 3-step process required by coconut oil. Some prominent beneficial properties of MCFA are –
- Easy to digest
- Small in size, therefore allowing easy cell permeability for immediate energy
- Not readily stored as fat
- Antimicrobial and antifungal
- Processed by liver. This means that they can promptly be converted into fuel and will not be stored as fat
Eventually, this unique combination of fatty acids positively affects health, reducing fat and improving brain function.
Composition of Coconut Oil
The following are the constituents of coconut oil which helps in maintaining skin health:
Saturated Fats:
- More than 90% of coconut oil is composed of saturated fats, but there is nothing to worry about as most of them are medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).
- These MCTs are assimilated easily in the body and among these, Lauric acid is most commonly found, followed by caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic and palmitic acid.
- These fats help make the skin smooth when touched.
- Due to these fats, the moisture content is retained in the skin and they also help eliminate moisture loss through the skin pores.
- When this oil is eaten, it helps deposit fat under the skin and gives it a smooth and healthy appearance.
- Capric, caprylic and lauric acid are strong disinfectant and have antimicrobial properties which helps protect the skin from various microbial infections.
- These fats also help in reducing excess fat, removing stretch marks and skin folds, thus, providing a toned skin.
Monounsaturated fats: Oleic acid is most commonly found monounsaturated fats in coconut oil.
Polyunsaturated fats: Linoleic acid is found in coconut oil.
Proteins:
- Coconut oil is also rich in proteins like coconut itself.
- These proteins help rejuvenate the skin and keep it healthy as it aids in tissue repair and cellular health. Thus, when skin cells are damaged, proteins flow help replacement of dead tissues at a standard rate, but in people with deficient protein diet this replacement rate is too low and often scars are found on the skin. Hence, coconut oil helps repair the skin fast.
- This oil is beneficial for skin as it does not become rancid and work for a longer time unlike other oils. As a result, it is used in various skin care products.
Vitamins:
Vitamin-E, vitamin-K and some minerals like iron are found to be present in coconut oil which are again beneficial for skin’s health.
Coconut Oil in Skin Care Products
Due to the above constituents of coconut oil, it is widely used in the following products use for skin:
1. Skin Softener
Coconut oil helps counter dry and hard skin problems. Take a small amount of coconut oil on palms and simply rub over the dried parts of the body. It also helps soften cracked and hardened feet which can be caused due to excess cold and continued work while standing on the feet.
2. Skin Exfoliant
Coconut oil can be mixed with sugar granules to make a wonderful skin scrub. This will help rub out the dead skin, clean the pores and give a soft and silky skin.
3. Lip Gel
Coconut oil is an ideal lip gel and it is so natural that if ingested can not cause any harm, but will provide benefits, unlike other chemical based lip gels which can be toxic.
4. Anti-Ageing Creams
Due to various natural constituents, coconut oil is also used in several anti-ageing creams.
5. Soaps
Coconut oil is used in soaps as it has cleansing property in addition to skin softening and smoothing properties.
6. Make-Up Remover
Simple, coconut oil can be used to remove make-up from eyes and face, so even, if it goes in the eyes, it would not cause any harm.
7. Skin Disorders
Coconut oil is used to cure various skin-disorders like psoriasis, acne, eczema and dermatitis etc. It can be used on bug-bites, rashes, skin flaking, shrinking wrinkles and what more, protection against sun’s harmful rays.
The above properties of coconut oil make it a single all-in-one cure for all skin issues. Make sure, you get only pure, organic and extra virgin coconut oil to get healthy and beautiful skin.
Other Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many health benefits. Healthy populations around the world even use coconut oil as a portion of their staple diet.
Potent Medicinal Properties in Coconut Oil
High in healthy saturated fats, coconut oil has divergent effects compared to other fats. While boosting fat-burning and providing the body and brain with quick energy, coconut oil can raise good HDL( high-density lipoproteins) cholesterol levels in the blood, which is excellent for heart health. Coconut oil contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) fatty acids, which are shorter than other fats.
Increase Fat Burning with Coconut Oil
One of the biggest global health problems is obesity. This is not just a matter of the quantity of calories; the source of calories is also important because different foods affect our bodies and hormones differently. Compared to a given amount of long-chain fats, MCTs in coconut oil will increase the calories we can burn.
Destroy Harmful Microorganisms with Coconut Oil
When the lauric acid in coconut oil is digested, it forms a substance known as monolaurin. Lauric acid features a 12-carbon structure and makes up about 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut oil. Both monolaurin and lauric acid are capable of destroying harmful pathogens like fungi, viruses, and bacteria, including yeast infections affecting humans.
Coconut Oil is Helpful in Reducing Hunger
This is another interesting feature of coconut oil. The fatty acids contained in coconut oil can also reduce hunger. This is because fats are metabolized and turned into ketones in the liver, and ketones, in turn, cause an appetite-reducing effect. Eventually, over a long-term period, it can also lead to reduced body weight.
Coconut Oil for Protecting Skin and Hair
Coconut oil’s other benefits for skin and hair have nothing to do with eating. Coconut oil is also extensively used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance and health of skin and hair. Coconut oil can effectively improve the moisture content of skin, particularly for people with dry skin. Coconut oil can also effectively protect hair against damage and act as a weak sunscreen at the same time.
