One of the best ways to pamper your skin and keep yourself looking great is to use coconut oil on your face. Up until recently, the benefits of coconut oil for your face and skin were not widely known. However, the amazing properties of coconut oil mean that this versatile natural oil can be used for more than just cooking.
The therapeutic benefits of coconut oil make it a great natural product to lock moisture in your skin, cleanse your face of impurities, and even heal blemishes and spots on your face. In fact, there are so many uses for coconut oil for your skin, body, and general health that you will be amazed at how this secret was kept for so long!
In this article, you will learn about the amazing benefits of coconut oil to your facial skin. You will also find out the top 10 ways to use coconut oil for radiant and healthy looking skin.
First of all, let’s briefly look at the reasons why coconut oil is a great healing and soothing agent for your face and skin in general.
Reasons to Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin
- You should always choose raw, organic, unrefined virgin coconut oil to use on your face and skin. Unrefined coconut oil contains all the nutrients, vitamins, and goodness that your skin needs. This is sometimes just referred to as “pure coconut oil”. You should also make sure that your coconut oil still hasn’t expired and doesn’t have any signs that it is rancid.
- Scientific research into the benefits of coconut oil for skin and face care has shown that it contains antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, research published in the Natural Medicine Journal said that coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids which have an antimicrobial effect. The main fatty acid is lauric acid which plays a vital role in killing off various bacterial and fungal infections on the skin.1
- Coconut oil is also one of the best natural products to keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated which is an important aspect of good skin care. The journal Dermatitis showed that coconut oil helps to soothe and moisturize itchy, dry, scaly skin and is as effective as mineral oil as a moisturizer.2
How to Use Coconut Oil on Your Face
Important precaution
Some people may experience an allergic reaction when their skin comes into direct contact with coconut oil. Before applying coconut oil on your skin, it’s always recommended to do a patch test prior to using it for the first time. If you develop swelling, reddish coloring and inflammation on the skin where it was exposed to coconut oil, wash it off and avoid using it.
Let’s look at the top 10 uses for coconut oil on your face.
1. Skin moisturizer
- Coconut oil is one of the best facial moisturizers that you can use to care for your skin. Moisture acts to protect your skin from various infections and the harmful effects of the environment and pollution. Coconut oil effectively locks in moisture to your skin to prevent dryness, itchiness, and scaling.2
- Because coconut oil is generally solid at room temperature, it is very easy to apply it to all types of skin as a moisturizer by rubbing it between your hands.
- One factor that makes coconut oil especially effective as a skin moisturizer when compared to other natural oils is that it easily penetrates the skin. Scientists have found that the lauric acid in coconut oil easily penetrates deep into the skin and stays in the dermis. This provides a strong protective barrier on the skin’s surface and keeps it free from impurities.3
- To use coconut oil as a moisturizer for dry skin, apply coconut oil to your face after every time you wash. This is what you should do:
- After cleansing your face, pat your face dry with a soft clean towel (that will also keep more moisture on your skin).
- Put a small amount of coconut oil on a palm of your hand and rub your hands together to melt the oil.
- Gently apply a small amount of coconut oil to your face by massaging it into your skin.
- Wait for 5-10 minutes to let your skin absorb the coconut oil. Remove any excess oil off your skin with a clean tissue.
- Although coconut oil is comedogenic (comedogenic means that it can block pores), you can still use coconut oil for oily skin. As coconut oil is easily absorbed into the skin, the
- key is to only use a little amount for moisturizing. In fact, the antibacterial properties of coconut oil can also help combat oily skin conditions like acne.
- First of all, wash your face with a mild soap and pat dry.
- Warm the coconut oil by rubbing a little between your hands, then apply the coconut oil on the face.
- Wait for 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
- Pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel.
- Repeat this daily and you may see that after a few days your skin is less oily and you have fewer breakouts.
2. Makeup remover
- Using coconut oil to remove makeup from your face is just one of the everyday uses of coconut oil. You will find that after some time, if you regularly use coconut oil on your face to remove makeup, the condition of your skin will greatly improve and you will have to spend less money on moisturizers and other skincare products. Coconut oil is also gentle enough to use on sensitive skin so it’s great for the sensitive skin on your face.
- The oils and fatty acids in coconut oil effectively cut through makeup and remove it from your face without having to resort to scrubbing or applying harsh makeup removers. This means that after removing makeup there is less chance that your skin is left irritated and damaged.
To use coconut oil to remove makeup:
- Rub some coconut oil (about a pea-size amount) between your fingers
- Gently apply the coconut oil on your face around your eyes and on your eyelashes.
- Using gentle circular motions, massage some coconut oil to your face to remove the rest of your makeup.
- Use a warm, wet washcloth to remove excess oil and makeup.
- Rinse your face with warm water.
- Remember, that coconut oil is the best way to remove makeup around your eyes because it won’t irritate your eyes.
3. Facial Scrub
- You can use coconut oil to make a DIY facial scrub to get beautiful glowing skin. To use coconut oil as a facial scrub for cleansing your face, you just need to mix it with sugar and a few other ingredients (see the recipe below).
- The nourishing properties of coconut oil help to keep your facial skin in great condition while the sugar gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells and unblock pores on your face. In fact, because coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, it will help to reduce the appearance of blemishes and redness on your cheeks and face. This scrub can be used not only on the face but on any other area that needs exfoliating and moisturizing such as preparing your skin before waxing hair removal.
Here is a simple home recipe to make a facial scrub using coconut oil and sugar:
- Mix together 1/2 cup organic cane sugar, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/4 cup sweet almond oil, and 1/4 cup of liquefied raw honey.
- Add 6-8 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional).
- Apply the coconut oil scrub to your face and using gentle circular motions, exfoliate your facial skin to unclog pores and loosen dead skin cells.
- Repeat once or twice a week to keep your skin looking and feeling great.
4. Treats skin conditions and skin infection
- Coconut oil can help reduce the symptoms of a number of skin conditions that affect your face. For example, eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, and allergic reactions that cause itchy red patches of skin to appear on the face and other areas of the body. Sometimes, the itchy skin can be rough and scaly. Very often these itchy rashes are caused by bacterial or fungal infections,
- The fact that coconut oil is an all-around home treatment to cure many skin conditions was shown in the journal Dermatitis. It published a study showing that coconut oil effectively cures the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema). Its antibacterial activities help to kill off bacteria that cause infections,
- Coconut oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can help to reduce redness and itchiness, which is also symptomatic of many skin conditions.5
- To soothe itchy, red skin that is causing you discomfort, all you have to do is massage virgin coconut oil directly onto your face or other skin areas. Apply the coconut oil remedy 2-3 times a day until the itchiness and red skin have gone for good.
5. Coconut oil for treating acne
- Many people use coconut oil to treat facial acne and prevent further outbreaks of spots, pimples, and pustules. Acne is caused when excess sebum and dead skins cells clog up pores. These pores can become inflamed and filled with pus when bacteria cause an infection. Although coconut oil doesn’t work for everyone who has acne, there are many people who have found this to be an effective home remedy for acne which can, in time, actually help to reduce the amount of sebum the skin produces.
- The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil help to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin and reduce inflammation. One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that lauric acid (the main fatty acid in coconut oil) showed strong antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes – the bacteria responsible for inflammatory acne.6
- The best way to find out if coconut oil will help clear up your acne is to try a small amount on a small area of skin. You can also enhance the antibacterial effect of coconut oil by adding a few drops of tea tree oil. Studies have shown that tea tree oil is also an effective natural ingredient to fight the bacteria that cause acne. For example, in one study, tea tree oil was shown to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, a popular drug used to treat acne.7
- If you have acne-prone skin, the best way to use coconut oil and get rid of pimples naturally is to start out using a small amount of coconut oil to see if it helps your skin. All you have to do to use coconut oil for treating acne is to mix 4 drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and store in a glass jar. Apply a small amount of coconut oil on your face 2-3 times a day and repeat applying the remedy until the acne has gone.
6. Reduces facial wrinkles and prevents premature aging
- You can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face if you regularly use coconut oil as a skin moisturizer. Wrinkles can appear when collagen in the skin breaks down and the skin loses its elasticity. Regular use of coconut oil on your face and neck can help to keep your skin hydrated and prevent collagen loss, thus giving your skin a much smoother look.
- The journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology showed that virgin coconut oil helps wounds to heal quicker because its components help to boost collagen production.8More collagen in the skin means that it looks plumper and wrinkles are less noticeable.
- Apply a small amount of coconut oil on your face in the morning and night as your daily moisturizer. The nourishing properties of coconut oil can help to prevent the signs of premature aging and keep your skin looking youthful for longer.
7. Soothes chapped lips
- The moisturizing and healing properties of coconut oil make it one of the best natural ingredients to help soothe chapped lips. What’s more, coconut oil has a delicious taste to and it is completely non-toxic.
- The best way to use coconut oil to soothe cracked, dry and chapped lips is to keep some in a small glass jar with you. Because coconut oil is usually solid at room temperature, it is easy to apply to your lips. Massage a small amount of coconut oil to your lips any time you need quick relief.
8. Heals cold sores
- Cold sores (fever blisters) are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) and can cause unsightly and painful blisters around your lips. You can use coconut oil to help speed up the healing process of cold sores and help soothe the discomfort that cold sores cause.
- Coconut oil contains many antimicrobial and moisturizing properties that can help treat fever blisters quickly.
- To use coconut oil for curing cold sores, use a clean cotton swab to apply a small amount of coconut oil directly to the affected lips and the surrounding facial skin. You should do this as soon as you feel the tingling sensation on your lips that signals the onset of a cold sore. The antiviral properties of coconut oil can then help to reduce the severity and spread of the infection.
- The soothing effect of coconut oil can also provide welcome relief to moisturize cold sore blisters that have become crusty. The antibacterial activity of coconut oil will also help to prevent any secondary infections from developing in your mouth and around your lips.
9. Natural shaving gel
- One of the best reasons to keep coconut oil in your bathroom is to use coconut oil as a shaving gel. Applying coconut oil to your face before shaving is a great way to soften the bristles and prepare the skin for shaving.
- The advantage of using coconut oil as a facial shaving cream is that its antibacterial activity helps to protect the skin from infection. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil prevent hair follicles from becoming inflamed after shaving. Using coconut oil as part of your shaving routine is also an effective and natural way to avoid razor bumps and burns.
- The easiest way to use coconut oil for shaving is to apply a small amount to your face before shaving. Here is how to do it:
- Dampen your face with a clean warm washcloth or shave after you have come out of the shower.
- Put a small amount of coconut oil between the palms of your hands and rub together.
- Gently massage the coconut oil into your face and leave for a minute or so.
- Shave as normally, remembering not to shave against the grain.
- The moisturizing effect of coconut oil means that you may not have to put any moisturizers on your face after shaving. However, if you need to, you can also use coconut oil as a skin moisturizer.
10. Sunburn relief
- After a day in the sun, you can apply coconut oil directly to your face and other skin areas to reduce the redness and discomfort caused by sunburn. Sun damage can dry out the skin and cause it to lose its elasticity. Also, the harmful effects of the sun’s radiation can cause burns and blisters on the skin. Coconut oil is one of the best natural ingredients to get rid of sunburn and sunburn blisters.
- The journal Pharmaceutical Biology reported on the fact that coconut oil is anti-inflammatory and can help to reduce redness and skin inflammation on damaged skin.5
- To use coconut oil for sunburn to get relief from burned and damaged skin, apply coconut oil directly to the affected skin. Repeat 2-3 times a day to soothe burned skin on your face to heal and reduce redness quicker.
- Although coconut oil has a very low SPF factor, you should not use it for protection from the sun’s harmful rays and it cannot replace a sunscreen.
