We hear about the praises for coconut oil being healthy and versatile when it comes to cooking and baking. But this famous oil does have other uses that go beyond your kitchen. Coconut oil has many healing properties that give it cleansing and antibacterial abilities when used topically. This makes the oil an ideal item that you can add to your personal grooming and skincare regimes, which can include using the oil as:
- Lip Balm: Lip cracks due to heat and other reasons can give us discomfort and sometimes embarrassment. While there are gels we can use on our lips, they have chemicals we don’t really want to consume. Use coconut oil instead for a natural and safe way to get rid of lip cracks.
- Makeup Remover: Although uncommon, you can use coconut oil to remove makeup before you go to bed.
- Skin Softener: One more reason why you should use coconut oil is that it can soften the skin, providing a moisturizing effect. You can rub the oil to your arms and legs, as well as on your cracked feet.
- Treatment for Skin Problems: Many have claimed that coconut oil can help those with skin disorders, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Coconut oil comprises of ingredients that actively help the skin to stay appealing and healthy without harmful chemicals:
- Saturated Fats: When applied on the skin, these fats can keep it smooth and retain the moisture – an effect that you can also get when you consume coconut oil regularly.
- Fatty Acids: Coconut oil is mostly known for its lauric acid, but it also has caprylic and capric acids, which are medium chain fatty acids. These fatty acids are able to disinfect and fight the microbes on the skin. Coconut oil therefore can provide protection against microbial infections, especially if you have open wounds.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin is essential to the skin as it helps in skin growth and skin repair against wear and tear. Vitamin E is also responsible for keeping the skin smooth, so it becomes easier to prevent skin cracking.
- Protein: Coconut oil, just like its fruit, has so many types of proteins. These proteins are useful in keeping the skin healthy and hydrated, so you don’t lose that youthful glow. Proteins are also food for the cells, so they can help in repairing damaged cells, which can contribute to fast aging.
What’s really good about coconut oil is that it does not go rancid. So when you apply the oil onto your skin, you can let it stay there for a long time.