Why Coconut Oil Is Good For Your Skin And Hair

Although the benefits of coconut oil are only just becoming known in western culture, coconut oil has been used for a documented 4000 years for its incredible health benefits.

Coconut oil is enjoying new found popularity thanks to its ability to produce gorgeous silky hair and smooth, even-toned skin.

Best of all, though, you can begin enjoying the beautifying benefits of coconut oil right now in your own home.

Why Is Coconut Oil So Good For You?

Coconut oil consists mostly of saturated fat, primarily capric acid, caproic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid.

These acids have a beneficial effect on the body as they react with enzymes created by bacteria in the body to produce a powerful antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial effect that helps to fight candida and yeast infections, as well as other viral infections.

These fatty acids also benefit the body in numerous other ways, such as helping with mineral absorption and being converted into energy when they reach the liver.

Beside fatty acids and medium chain triglycerides, coconut oil also contains vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron.

These nutrients combined with coconut oil’s numerous beneficial fatty acids contributes to why coconut oil is so effective at healing skin and hair and leaving both soft and beautiful.

But, not all varieties of coconut are created equally, and the health benefits can vary greatly based on how it was produced.

Why Type of Coconut Oil Is Best?

Coconut oil can be found in two basic types: refined or unrefined, referring to how the coconut oil was produced.

These processes result in considerably different levels in quality, taste, and health benefits.

Knowing these differences will help you to choose the best type of coconut oil depending on how you want to use it.

Refined Coconut Oil

The coconut undergoes a chemical refinement process after mechanical extraction that helps to separate the oil from the coconut proteins, fibers, and water.

It is most useful for cooking, such as for pie crust or sweet potato fries, as the resulting product has little (if any) coconut taste, smooth texture, and light golden color.

This type of coconut oil also has the least health benefits, as most of the antioxidants and vitamins are removed through the refinement process.

Unrefined Coconut Oil

The coconut undergoes the extraction process alone; there is no use of harsh chemicals and solvents.

Generally, this type of coconut oil is made using as little heat as possible; however, as coconut oil can withstand high heat without going rancid, heat may be used to remove extra moisture.

Unrefined coconut oil is the most beneficial for you, but it can be extracted through various means that contribute to stronger or milder taste.

For Soft And Shiny Hair

To enjoy the beautifying effects coconut oil has on hair and skin doesn’t require any fancy equipment or to purchase anything but a good quality coconut oil.

As a conditioner, coconut oil can quickly take the place of other more expensive moisturizers.

You can apply the oil to your hair before washing, letting it sit in your hair for 20 minutes before shampooing out. This can be done once a week for soft and silky hair.

Alternately, you can apply the coconut oil to your hair after shampooing, letting it sit in your hair for 5 minutes, and then rinsing with water.

With this method, you will still enjoy the moisturizing benefits of coconut oil, but will have a heavier moisturizing effect that can also take the place of leave in conditioners.

A small amount of coconut oil applied to your finger tips and then worked through your hair can also be used to combat frizz and humidity.

Be careful to apply no higher than mid-shaft as applying to your roots can weigh down hair and make it flat (although still terribly soft and smooth.)

Fight Off Dandruff

Do you see irritating and embarrassing white flakes on the shoulders of your favorite blazer?

Dandruff and flakiness from a dry scalp cause these white flakes that show up when you least expect (or want) them.

For many people, this problem intensifies in colder months, when dry heat in the home sucks the moisture out of everything, including your scalp.

Applying coconut oil to the scalp and working it in thoroughly will help.

Do this in the shower once or twice a week. Leave it in for several minutes before rinsing it out. The scalp will be moisturized and less likely to flake.

True dandruff is caused by fungus. Coconut oil is an antifungal that will take care of the dandruff and leave your hair soft and shiny.

Want Soft Glowing Skin?

Coconut oil can be applied directly to your skin to produce soft skin that glows with health.

For starters, mix up a little bit of coconut oil with some coarse salt and use this as an exfoliant to help soften the skin and combat dryness.

After shower, a little warm coconut oil smoothed all over your body will leave your skin baby soft and silky.

Applied under your eyes and coconut oil can help combat bags and discoloring, not to mention helping to prevent signs of premature aging.

To brighten tired facial skin, you can also apply a tiny amount of coconut oil to the apples of your cheeks, just above your eyebrows, and a tiny dab on your upper lip as an all natural highlighter to give your skin a fresh, healthy glow.

It also works great as a cuticle cream, helping to moisturize and heal your cuticles and nourishing your nails at the same time.

If you shave, use coconut oil instead of alcohol-based aftershave. It is soothing to skin and helps prevent razor burn.

During the cold months, slather some coconut oil on the legs and elbows to keep dry skin, flakiness, red rashes and chapping away.

With its natural antifungal, antibacterial properties, a dab of coconut oil to a painful cold sore can also lend healing properties to the blister that will shrink and eventually dissolve the sore.

With all of the benefits of this natural remedy, it would seem like it is a beauty miracle cure all.

Well, it is.

Grab a jar and see for yourself.