Essential oils are indispensable in maintaining beauty and health. Find out the health benefits of coconut oil and how to use it. Coconut oil has been known for its healing properties for centuries. It was used in cosmetology, medicine and cooking. Coconut oil has a rich composition, thanks to which it is widely used in home cosmetology.
Coconut oil contains a large amount of saturated fats, including antioxidants, vitamins C and A, natural moisturizers, and other beneficial substances. Among the advantages of this remedy is the fact that it does not provoke an increase in harmful cholesterol in the blood, while the body easily assimilates the saturated fatty acids that make up coconut oil.
Coconut oil is made from the oily pulp of a ripe coconut. The fruits of the coconut palm grow on the territory of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, the Malacca Peninsula. After the pulp of the coconut is peeled, it is dried, then oil is extracted from it, as a rule, the method of hot pressing is used.
Coconut oil can be not only hot, but also cold-pressed, however, in the latter case, it is produced in much smaller volumes. If the cold pressing method is used, no more than 10% of the oil is extracted. This product is more valuable and beneficial to human health than hot-pressed oil.
Refined and unrefined coconut oil is found today. The natural remedy, which has not been chemically treated, contains a large number of useful and truly unique substances, thanks to which it is so valuable. It contains a variety of fatty acids, each of which has special properties.
After the refining process, the oil loses its useful qualities and substances that are naturally included in it. That is why cheap refined oil is used today in the production of soap, and is also used for other industrial needs.
For cosmetic purposes, it is recommended to use only unrefined coconut oil, as it is not capable of provoking allergies. Moreover, it can be stored at room temperature for quite a long time. This type of oil can be cooled or heated many times without losing its beneficial qualities.
It is important to remember that packaging with unrefined coconut oil always has an expiration date that cannot be more than 12 months. For this tool to be beneficial, you need to choose only a high-quality and fresh product.
Pros and cons of coconut oil
Coconut oil contains valuable fatty acids that can easily penetrate cell membranes and are quickly absorbed by cells, while they will not be deposited as storage substances.
The main distinguishing feature of coconut oil and other types of oils is that it does not provoke the onset of subcutaneous fat formation. If it enters the body with food, it is quickly transformed into energy, which is used during the digestion process, while the insulin levels in the blood will not increase. That is why it is enough to take just one teaspoon of coconut oil, which will be a complete replacement for an energy bar.
Coconut oil easily tolerates temperature changes, so today it is widely used in cooking and can compete with vegetable, olive and corn oil. Moreover, it is several times higher than it in terms of positive qualities. No toxic decomposition products are formed during heat treatment.
The use of coconut oil in medicine
About 50% of coconut oil is composed of the valuable lauric acid found in almost all types of vegetable oils. It is this acid that is essential in medicine. Once in the intestine, it breaks down into simple components and has the ability to resist dangerous viral cells of influenza, herpes and measles, as well as simple parasitic microorganisms lamblia, including HIV infection.
Coconut oil has the ability not only to resist various bacteria and viruses, but also has the following positive effects on the body:
- the process of weight loss is accelerated, as there is an increase in metabolism;
- the skin retains its natural elasticity and looks completely healthy;
- coconut oil is an excellent source of digestive energy;
- the work of the thyroid gland is normalized;
- improves the functioning of the brain;
- there is a strengthening effect on the heart muscle;
- the natural protective functions of the body (immunity) are significantly enhanced.
The use of coconut oil in cosmetology
Such a natural remedy as coconut oil is widely used today in the care of the skin of the face, hair and body. To solve certain problems, you need to use it regularly.
Skin care
To cleanse the skin on the décolleté, neck and face, apply coconut oil with gentle massaging movements and distribute evenly. A damp cosmetic napkin is slightly warmed up, after which it removes the remains of the product. At the end of the procedure, the skin should be gently patted dry with a dry towel.
Coconut oil can also be used to remove makeup. For this purpose, a small amount of the product is applied to the skin of the face, after which the remnants of cosmetics are removed with a damp cloth. It is recommended to make a liquid scrub from coconut oil to cleanse the skin of the face. A small amount of coconut oil and baking soda are mixed in a deep bowl. The resulting composition is applied to previously cleansed skin, a light massage is done, after which you need to wash yourself with warm water. To care for delicate and sensitive skin, instead of baking soda, use chopped oatmeal and a little cinnamon.
You can make a solid scrub yourself. 200 g of coconut oil is dissolved in a water bath, cocoa and shea butter are added. A small amount of herculean flakes with medicinal herbs (for example, lemon balm, oregano or St. John's wort) are crushed using a coffee grinder. The liquid and dry ingredients are mixed, then the container is removed from the water bath, and the composition is left to infuse for two days at room temperature. From the resulting mass, small pieces are formed and placed in the freezer. Apply a solid scrub along the massage lines, after cleansing the skin.
Coconut oil can be used to make a moisturizer for body and face care. Beat butter with a mixer to make a light nourishing cream that should be used as homemade moisturizing cosmetics. For such a cosmetic procedure to bring more benefits, it is recommended to add any essential oils, taking into account the skin type.
For the care of the delicate skin around the eyes. A remedy such as coconut oil has the ability to perfectly nourish and moisturize the epidermis, thereby preventing it from stretching and thinning, and significantly reducing the number of wrinkles. To do this, simply apply oil to problem areas and rinse off after 10-15 minutes.
You can also make lip balm from coconut oil. For this purpose, 2 parts of pre-melted coconut oil and 1 part of beeswax are mixed. 1 capsule of vitamin E is introduced into the resulting composition, a couple of drops of any essential oil are added. All components are thoroughly mixed, after which the resulting product is transferred to a pre-prepared glass container and can be used if necessary.
Body care
Coconut oil can be used to make a body scrub. For this purpose, brown sugar is mixed with coconut oil. The resulting composition has a mild peeling effect and perfectly nourishes the epidermis.
It is also recommended to use this product for skin care during shaving. In the event that a small amount of coconut oil is applied to the surface of the skin, it becomes possible to prevent the appearance of irritation. The oil contains unique acids that have a strong antiseptic effect.
It is helpful to regularly use an easy-to-make body moisturizer. In a blender or using a mixer, whip the required amount of oil, at the same time add any essential oils. The result should be an airy mass that is applied to the body as a moisturizer without rinsing it off.
You can also use coconut oil while taking a bath. In this case, the bath is filled with hot water (over 25 ° C) and coconut oil is added. After taking this procedure, the skin becomes soft, tender, perfectly moisturized and no additional use of cream or body milk is required.
Coconut oil is often used for foot skin care. A small amount of oil is mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil, lemon balm ether is added, as well as cypress. The resulting composition must be rubbed into the skin of the feet every day.
Coconut oil can be used to quickly make a nourishing and moisturizing hand and nail care cream. Coconut oil is mixed with chamomile ether, 2-3 drops of orange and lemon oil are added. The result is an oil balm that is recommended to be used every day.
By using coconut oil, you can quickly get rid of the ugly signs of cellulite. To do this, take in equal proportions coconut oil, jojoba, shea, cocoa. 10 drops of grapefruit, orange, cypress, fennel ether are added to the mixture. With gentle massaging movements, the resulting composition is rubbed into problem areas. After 10 minutes, the mixture must be washed off with warm water.
Coconut oil is also widely used as an anti-cellulite peeling agent. The coffee beans are ground and mixed with a little coconut oil. The result should be a mixture similar in consistency to thick sour cream. This composition is applied to problem areas (it is important that the skin is moisturized) and rubbed in with gentle massaging movements. The product is washed off with warm water, but without using a shower gel or soap.
With regular use of coconut oil, you can completely get rid of ugly stretch marks. Cocoa and coconut oil are mixed in equal amounts, 10 drops of neroli, sage, cypress ether are introduced. The finished composition is rubbed into problem areas, washed off with warm water.
Coconut oil has a lot of positive qualities and can be used both in medicine and cosmetology. This remedy is completely natural, but it can provoke allergies. That is why, before starting to use it, a sensitivity test is carried out.
For more information on using coconut oil, see this video:
