Is Virgin Coconut Oil Good for Your Skin?
Coconut is such a versatile fruit that can be used in various things and almost every part of a coconut tree can be used in different ways. Indeed, it is such a magnificent gift from mother nature and is worthy of being called as “lifeline of health” for its numerous benefits. One of the most popular uses of coconut is extracting its oil. Coconut oil is produced from the kernel of mature coconuts that are classified into two varieties -virgin and refined oil.
What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is produced by cold-pressing the liquid from the coconut meat, later extracting the oil from milk and water. It is known to have a milky appearance. Virgin coconut oil is getting more and more popular nowadays for it is 100% natural. It is best known for its pleasant aroma, taste, powerful antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and essential vitamins to name a few. Because of its nutritional benefits, Virgin Coconut Oil has also been used to improve skin conditions. Studies have shown how applying it directly to your skin can help to maintain and protect that healthier-looking glow.
Here’s why you should start to include Virgin Coconut Oil in your skincare routine as well.
Benefits of using Virgin Coconut Oil for your skin
- Moisturizing
Coconut oil has medium-chain fatty acids which help to reduce dryness and allow your skin to retain moisture, keeping it hydrated. There’s a study conducted in patients with mild to moderately dry skin that found out that coconut oil significantly improved skin hydration.
You must have heard how moisturizing skin should be a staple in one’s skincare routine and that’s indeed right. It is important to keep your skin hydrated to help preserve its function as a barrier to keep out bacteria, promote the healing of scars and maintain overall skin integrity.
Applying Virgin Coconut Oil can also maintain your skin’s softness and smoothing effect. If applied regularly, it can actually help to improve texture and minimizes the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time. As it soaks into the skin, those signs of aging can diminish and appear far less obvious.
- Reduce acne and inflammation
There’s this common skin condition that we all fear having every time, acne! As we are mostly aware, acne is an inflammatory condition, and for the medications or treatment to work for acne, inflammation should be targeted to reduce. Say no more because Virgin Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body, and it may also aid in the treatment of acne. According to numerous studies, lauric acid, which accounts for nearly half of the fatty acids in coconut oil, has been shown to kill off the strain of bacteria linked to acne. Capric acid was also found to be successful in reducing inflammation and preventing acne by killing off bacteria. Another study also showed that coconut oil extract could improve the barrier function of the skin and reduce inflammation due to UVB rays.
Eczema is also a skin condition characterized by scaly, inflammation, cracked skin, and itchy rashes. A study testing in 52 adults with eczema found that applying coconut oil helped reduce dryness, in addition to helping treat eczema. To further prove this, another study found similar results, showing that coconut oil led to a 68% decrease in eczema severity.
Aside from that, Virgin coconut oil can calm temporary redness because it has a soothing, calming effect. If you’re also prone to irritations or sensitivity, it can help to alleviate any discomfort and provide soothing relief.
- Aids in wound healing
The benefits of using Virgin Coconut Oil don’t stop here because several studies have demonstrated that coconut oil may also aid wound healing. One study found that treating wounds with virgin coconut oil sped up healing, improved antioxidant status, and increased levels of collagen, an important protein that aids in wound healing. Another study also found out that coconut oil combined with an antibiotic applied to the skin was effective at healing from burns. Furthermore, it has antimicrobial properties that may also prevent infection, one of the major risk factors that can complicate a wound’s healing process.
Virgin Coconut Oil, an incredible natural wonder
Truly, virgin coconut oil is an astonishing oil that can deal with a lot of skin issues in just one product. May it be acne, wrinkles, inflammation, redness, or wounds, it definitely got you covered. It is very easy to find in a lot of stores, as well as it is very convenient to use. So what more are you waiting for, level up your skincare routine now.