Coconut oil has been touted to be the most effective ingredient for healthy, strong and thick hair. It has been an essential part of every Indian woman’s hair care ritual (thanks, mom). However, in the last few years, coconut oil has gained a lot of popularity among skincare buffs too — skin experts believe it can be quite beneficial when applied topically. It hydrates the skin, lightens dark patches and increases collagen production.
But before you rush to pick a bottle of coconut oil and start applying it on your skin to reap all the amazing skincare benefits, it is important you know a few basic things. Here are five things you should know before using coconut oil on your skin.
- 01. It’s essential to pick the right type
- 02. It can clog the pores
- 03. It is not the solution to every dry skin problem
- 04. It won’t give you clean skin
01. It’s essential to pick the right type
There are three types of coconut oil - refined, unrefined and liquid. You can’t apply the same coconut oil you use to massage your scalp on the skin. The ones used for cooking are refined and also the most common one used for hair oil massage is quite heavy for the skin. Unrefined, organic and cold pressed are best for skincare as they are pure and contain no added chemicals.
02. It can clog the pores
While coconut oil may have far too many benefits for the skin, one drawback is that it ranks too high on the comedogenicity scale, meaning it can clog the pores. Now, we all know what happens when your pores get clogged — it leads to accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria and excess sebum production leading to blackheads and acne. It’s best to do a patch test before applying the oil to your entire face. Also, pick pure, virgin coconut oil on your face as they’re free of any additives.
03. It is not the solution to every dry skin problem
Sure, coconut oil hydrates skin like no other, but does that mean it is the answer to all your dry skin woes? Absolutely not! Using it as a treatment of eczema won’t help. However, if you have dry skin (on the body) and looking for something soothing and calming, coconut oil can be a blessing in disguise.
04. It won’t give you clean skin
A lot of women find it easier to remove makeup with coconut oil, they claim it breaks makeup particles easily; therefore, there’s no rubbing involved. While that is true, you should also know that you need to wash your face afterwards, unlike micellar water that does not require you to cleanse face with water and cleanser.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Aug 25, 2020
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.