Zoom on coconut oil: benefits for hair & skin

Coconut is one of our favourite ingredients in our beauty routine. Its benefits have been praised over the years, this is why its oil is used in many beauty products. If you’re not sure how you could include coconut oil into your beauty routine, read on to discover what it can bring to you.
 

About coconut oil

Coconut palm tree is one of the most useful trees in the world and is often referred as the ‘tree of life’. Its origins are under dispute, as some theories state the tree comes from Asia, South America or even Pacific Islands. Coconut palm trees grow in tropical climates where there is abundant sunlight with regular rainfall and high humidity. The fruit, coconut, also called Cocos nucifera, is used in many ways, mainly for its water inside, its milk, its oil or its delicious meat. To get coconut oil, you have to extract from either dried coconut kernels or coconut’s meat. It has a solid consistency when it’s at room temperature, but then becomes liquid when it’s heated. The oil is rich in fatty acids such as lauric, myristic, caprylic and palmitic acids. Rich in vitamin E, K, and iron, coconut oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

 

Benefits on Hair

• Fights Dandruff

Having dandruff and getting rid of it can be a real challenge. Understanding the cause of it may be the beginning to treat it. Dandruff may be caused by a fungus or yeast on the scalp. As coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, it may be used as part of your dandruff treatment. This can be done by applying coconut oil onto your scalp for five minutes before shampoo.

 

• Softer and moisturised hair

Coconut oil has the ability to penetrate your hair shaft deeply, leading to softer and smoother hair and less prone to breakage. Dry and brittle hair would definitely take advantage of the benefits of coconut oil.

Coconut oil can be used at different stages of your hair care regimen
You may start with a prepoo or hot oil treatment to soothe dry hair before shampoo. Leave it at least for an hour before washing your hair or keep it overnight.
After washing and conditioning, apply coconut oil to protect your hair from any damage during your detangling process.

 

• Stronger hair for a healthy growth

Coconut oil contains vitamins and fatty acids that nourish simultaneously your scalp and your hair as it penetrates the cuticles. Moreover, all these fantastic vitamins and fatty acids help to remove sebum build-up on the scalp to create a healthy environment for hair growth.

 

•  Reduces split ends and frizz

As coconut oil penetrates you hair shafts, it helps to smooth the cuticles on your split ends, avoiding the infamous frayed look.  

Coconut oil can also prevents frizz by stopping your hair to absorb more water, it helps tame frizz in humid weather.

Benefits on Skin

• Softer and moisturised skin

If your skin gets dry, particularly during the cold months of winter, applying coconut oil or a product containing coconut oil can help you to keep your skin moisturised and soft. The fatty acids in coconut oil will act as barrier to retain moisture, preventing your skin to become dry.

 

• Acne

We already know that coconut oil has anti-inflammation properties and acne is considered as an inflammation. Coconut oil can reduce the inflammation and help to treat acne on part of your body.

However, coconut oil is quite comedogenic, meaning that it can block your pores. Therefore it is not advised to apply coconut oil on your face, especially if you have acne-prone or blemish-prone skin as it may lead to acne breakouts.

 

• Reduces inflammation and scarring

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil can soothe eczema symptoms, like itching or dryness.On top of that, studies on coconut oil demonstrated that the oil helps in the healing process if you have a wound or scar.

 

Where to find it?

• Leicala Natural Products Coconut Body Butter

This body butter will leave your skin nourished and moisturized for 24 hours, especially if dry and itchy skin.

• As I Am Coconut Cowash

This cowash gently cleanses your hair and scalp while helping to retain moisture. An extra point for making the detangling process super easy.

• Bourn Beautiful Naturals Coconut Cream

This deep conditioner is packed with vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 thanks to its with pure coconut milk to nourish your hair. Deep condition your hair using heat, like with the Thermal Haircare Heat Cap for moisturised and softer hair.

• Les Secrets de Loly Repair Time

This deep conditioner masque contains jojoba oil, macadamia and coconut oil for stronger, shinier and more manageable hair. We also recommend using heat with Thermal Haircare Heat Cap Hot head for a deeper action and better results