Complete Guide On Coconut Oil for Face And Hair & Its Benefits

I cannot remember using anything but warm coconut oil for my hair, all through my childhood. Sunday afternoons were dedicated to a rigorous hair oiling ritual with my mother, who generously massaged my head and hair with coconut oil. I won’t lie, I did crib and complain about these champi sessions, but today, I owe my lustrous and beautiful tresses to those afternoons.

So, whenever someone mentions coconut oil as the saviour of hair, I know what they mean (tbh, I miss that time). But, I had my ‘oh-my-God’ moment when this childhood hair secret popped up on my feed as a miracle ingredient for skin, health and even oral health. Apparently, the info was right, because just a few searches on the internet opened doors to the hundreds of ways this humble ingredient can totally turn around your beauty game.

To give you a context (now that I have my hands on various expert’s opinions on the topic), coconut oil is THE most accessible and budget-friendly beauty ingredient you will come across. I am sure that coconut oil can easily give tough competition to all the drugstore-bought skincare products, with its antioxidants and nutrient-rich properties. So, get ready to unleash the potential of this multipurpose powerhouse. Scan all your cabinets (or just call your mom) and bring out that jar of coconut oil, because I’m about to tell you the many enriching benefits of this be-all beauty elixir. Let’s go.

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is a multi-tasking miracle that has earned its place in beauty routines worldwide. Thanks to its rich amounts of fatty acids and vitamin E, that make your skin feel moist and hydrated from deep within while offering a natural barrier from moisture loss. But this versatile oil is also known for its soothing nature, it can be applied to irritated or inflamed skin. It can be used to moisturise, remove makeup, or even be used as coconut oil for the face as it brings about that silky, smooth skin complexion with a radiant and healthy glow. It definitely is a skincare essential.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Hair

Nourishes Hair

If you have been asking yourself, ‘Is coconut oil good for hair?’ I must tell you that the answer is always ‘yes’. While coconut oil's benefits for the skin are many, coconut oil is the holy grail for hair care, too (trust me, I say this with experience). It is enriched with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, lauric acid and vitamin E, which deeply penetrate the scalp and nourish it from within, thereby boosting your hair growth. It also moisturises the hair shafts and cuticles.

Repairs Damage

This nutrient-rich ingredient gives your scalp and hair intense nourishment. It can be used as a leave-in conditioner to reduce dryness and to repair hair shafts that have been damaged by colour, heat or sun exposure. Using it as a pre-shampoo massage on the scalp can also treat dandruff and help restore moisture.

Controls Dandruff

Coconut oil is highly rich in anti-fungal properties that help fight dandruff-causing fungi. This oil helps reduce flakiness and soothes an itchy scalp. Regular massaging with the scalp keeps dandruff away while keeping your scalp nourished and healthy.

Tackles Premature Greying

Coconut oil can stimulate the scalp and hair follicles thus enhancing hair growth, with possible postponement of greying of hair. It is full of antioxidants which guard against hair damage from oxidative stress, which is also one of the leading causes of grey hair.

Encourages Hair Growth

Coconut oil feeds the scalp and tightens hair follicles, which may help stimulate hair growth in the long run. Rich in vitamin E, coconut oil promotes a boost in blood flow to the scalp, which will eventually lead to thicker, stronger strands of hair.

Add Shine & Luster

Dry, dull hair can regain its shine with coconut oil. As it smoothens the cuticle layer, hair becomes glossier and healthier without weighing it down.

Prevents Protein Loss

Coconut oil’s unique fatty acids penetrate deep into the hair shaft, helping to prevent protein loss and reduce damage. This is particularly valuable for fragile hair types because it builds internal strength in strands to cause less breakage.

How To Use

To get maximum benefits from coconut oil, gently massage onto your scalp and wash it off with a mild shampoo, the next morning. Avoid keeping the oil overnight if you have an oily scalp, as it can further weigh your hair down and cause hairfall. Plus, you can also rub a few drops on your curls to give them moisture and shine.

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Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Skin

Moisturises Skin Naturally

Out of the many benefits of coconut oil for your skin, the best one is its ability to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated. It prevents loss of moisture from your skin, improves its elasticity and reduces fine lines. You can get the maximum coconut oil benefits for your skin by using it post-shower on damp skin. You can also mix it with some kitchen ingredients like turmeric, honey or Fuller’s earth to whip up a hydrating DIY mask for intense moisturization.

Natural Makeup Remover

Coconut oil easily melts the toughest of makeup products without making your skin feel parched or rough. It is antibacterial and antifungal, which can break down makeup and dirt settled in your pores without causing any dryness. To use coconut oil as a makeup remover, massage your face gently with a few drops of coconut oil till the makeup melts away, and wipe it away with a cotton pad.

Fights Acne

It contains antibacterial properties that eliminate bacteria causing acne. The benefits of coconut oil on the face include reducing inflammation and fighting outbreaks, while it is non-comedogenic, which allows it to ensure no clogging of pores.

Reducing Skin Ageing

Being a storehouse of antioxidants, coconut oil doesn't allow free radicals to cause untimely ageing. The regular application of coconut oil on the face helps keep it hydrated and plump, thus delaying the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Deeply Moisturises

Coconut oil is very rich in fats, so it is a good moisturising agent that keeps the skin hydrated for a long time. Thus, dry skin can easily benefit from this oil since it helps to lock moisture and keep the skin soft and supple.

Calms Irritated Skin

If you have sensitive skin, you will notice the coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory effect on your skin. Irritation is mainly caused by inflammation, so soothing this inflammation with the aid of coconut oil might also result in calmer skin. The benefits of applying coconut oil overnight on the face include reduced irritation and even texture.

Accelerates Skin Healing

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which helps accelerate the healing of minor cuts, burns, and blemishes. The benefits of coconut oil on the face include faster recovery and a smoother, clearer complexion.

So if you happen to suffer from acne or you are looking for anti-aging effects then coconut oil can be your skin care partner to acquire a perfect healthy face.

How To Use

Take a few drops of coconut oil and apply it on your body by gently massaging it in to help it absorb into the skin’s deepest layers. Make sure to use cold-pressed organic coconut oil for maximum benefits.

Coconut Oil For Oral Health

One of the least known coconut oil benefits is for your oral health. If you are not familiar with oil pulling, you are missing out on an easy way to keep oral diseases at bay. Oil pulling is one of the many coconut oil benefits that can help improve gingival health, whiten teeth, reduce inflammation and bleeding, and improve oral hygiene and dental health.

How To Use

Put one tablespoon of oil in your mouth and gargle with it for 15-20 min. Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with warm water. Tip: It's best to do oil pulling on an empty stomach after brushing your teeth.

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How To Choose Best Coconut Oil

Choosing the right coconut oil for your face may be a difference-maker in your routine. Go for cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil with all its beneficial nutrients retained compared to refined ones. Quality helps you achieve all the benefits of coconut oil on your face like hydrating, protecting, and that enviable glow. Always choose organic oil in order not to allow exposure to harsh chemicals which your skin might not be able to withstand.

Do you ever wonder how coconut oil might help your face? This natural moisturiser is packed with antioxidants and fatty acids that soothe, nourish, and moisturise. Applying coconut oil on the face at night allows moisture to stay locked in as your skin absorbs all the rich nutrients from the oil overnight. Applying coconut oil at night has its own fair share of benefits such as softening and smoothening your skin with a bright glow by morning. Well, you will find that coconut oil is a good natural, multitasking moisturiser.

Who Shouldn't Use Coconut Oil

While coconut oil for the face has many advantages and promises quite a few moisturising and antibacterial benefits, it does not work for everyone. It's especially not recommended for people who have oily and acne-prone skin since the thick, comedogenic character of the oil can easily clog pores and make breakouts even more painful. Others may simply find it wonderful because of its general ease on dry skin and deeper hydration, giving it a glow. However, always be aware of your skin type in exploring the benefits of applying coconut oil on your face overnight.

Conclusion

Although coconut oil for the face might not be everyone's cup of tea, its nourishing property makes it one of the favourite skincare ingredients for people with dry sensitive skin type use. It enriches their skin with fatty acids that lock in moisture, leaving their skin soft and glowing. If your skin happens to be oily or acne-prone, it would be best recommended to opt for lighter oils. Ultimately, knowing what your skin needs to thrive best will help you glean the best of the benefits of applying coconut oil on the face, or find its closest substitute.

FAQs

1. Can coconut oil help with hair growth

   Yes, you can use coconut oil for hair growth. The presence of fatty acids and vitamins in coconut oil helps nourish your scalp, which in turn, helps your hair grow healthier, thicker and longer.

2. What is the health benefit of coconut oil?

   Coconut oil's benefits for health are innumerable. When consumed in moderation, it helps reduce belly fat, reduces appetite, strengthens your immune system and is a quick source of energy.

3. Which is the best coconut oil for hair?

   The best coconut oil for hair is one which does not contain chemicals or excessive fragrance.

4. Is coconut oil good for the face?

   Yes, coconut oil is good for the face as it deeply moisturises your skin and nourishes it intensely.