Best Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair and Skin Health: Read now
Coconut oil is a liquid gold that is not just a passing beauty trend; it's a tried-and-true solution that our grandmas probably knew all along. There are many coconut oil benefits for hair and skin and it is the ultimate secret weapon for your winter beauty routine done right!
It’s frustrating how cold and chilly weather, harsh winds, and low humidity make your skin dry and chapped and hair brittle and prone to breakage. But, including natural oils and kinds of butter in your skin care and hair care routine can help you steer clear of these concerns.
Blending rejuvenating and hydrating natural oils with potent skin and hair care essentials like hydrating foaming face wash or revitalizing shampoo works well for me, and I believe they could be beneficial for you too.
In the next few scrolls, we are going to talk about the benefits of coconut oil for face and hair, let’s begin:
- What is coconut oil?
- Coconut oil for hair:
- To deep condition your hair
- Frizz Controller
- Hydrating Coconut Hair Mask
- Tame Split Ends
- Shed-off dandruff
- Coconut oil for skin:
- Cleansing oil
- Protects from sun rays or UV rays:
- Natural moisturizer for dry skin
- Body scrub
- Cuticle Protector
- Take away
- FAQs
What is coconut oil?
It is an edible oil extracted from the dried kernel of mature coconuts, renowned with the name of 'copra'. It is called refined oil as it is a ‘processed oil’, it possesses no flavour or aroma.
Other than this, there is an unrefined form of oil, known as virgin coconut oil. it is formed from the fresh milk of coconut via the cold compression method. This helps to preserve the all-natural constituents, antioxidants and aroma of the oil.
Coconut oil for hair:
To deep condition your hair:
Being a good moisturizer, coconut oil is also used to moisturize and condition the scalp and hair. Simply take an adequate amount of oil and heat it a little by placing the jar of oil in a hot water pot. Apply onto the scalp and hair, leave for 2 to 3 hours and wash your hair with gentle shampoo. Result: Soft and silky smooth hair!
Frizz Controller:
Coconut oil prevents hair from absorbing water, principally in humid climates. You can also use virgin coconut oil for hair to help tame frizz in the hair. Take a small quantity of oil and apply at the lengths post-wash for beautiful hair.
Hydrating Coconut Hair Mask
Using a coconut hair mask can be a luxurious treat to transform dull, lifeless hair into a luscious mane. This mask deeply hydrates and repairs, leaving your strands silky and revitalized. It is an effective remedy for how to use coconut oil for hair growth and thickness.
Whether you're combating dryness or aiming for a radiant shine, mixing a teaspoon of olive oil and 2 drops of rosemary (optional) along with coconut oil and applying it on hair and scalp can be a rejuvenating ritual. It promises to restore and elevate your hair game to new heights!
Tame Split Ends
Winter woes bringing split ends to your locks? Fear not, because this miracle oil is here to the rescue!
For a hair pampering session- you can slather your hair with a starting from the ends and working your way up. Clip your hair and bundle it up under a shower cap or a cozy towel for a spa-like experience. Bye-bye breakage and split-ends.
Shed-off dandruff
Coconut oil not only conditions and nourishes the hair but is also helpful in controlling dandruff without affecting scalp moisture during the winter. The presence of lauric acid (medium chain fatty acid) has anti-microbial properties for healthier scalp.
You can make a simple anti-dandruff remedy by combining equal parts neem and coconut oil. Add a few drops of lemon for extra freshness. Massage the mixture on the affected areas, and leave it for 2 to 3 hours. Rinse off with a quality anti-dandruff shampoo for a quick and effective coconut oil for dandruff solution.
How to use coconut oil for skin?
Cleansing oil
Cold weather got your skin feeling dull? Enter coconut oil, your go-to cleanser to take off dirt and make-up! Liquidize, massage, rinse with lukewarm water, and bam – soft, happy skin in seconds.
Word of caution - If your skin leans oily-acne, maybe give it a skip and do a quick skin analysis to know your skin type.
Protects from sun rays or UV rays:
Winter or not, UVB rays can harm your skin, especially in snowy places where they reflect 80% of the sun's UV light.
Good news: Coconut oil acts as a natural sunscreen, fending off harmful rays. Even studies have found that plant oils, like sesame, resist 30% of UV rays, while coconut, peanut, olive, and cottonseed oils block about 20% of sun rays.
When used along with a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more, you can protect your skin from the harsh effects of sun rays and defend against early signs of ageing.
Natural moisturizer for dry skin
Virgin or normal coconut oil is a potent natural moisturizer and the most sought-after benefits of coconut oil on skin. It significantly helps to boost skin hydration, reduces inflammation and irritation, and repairs dry and extremely dry skin. It helps to trap moisture and reinforce skin protective barriers in cold windy seasons.
To moisturize skin, you can either apply this oil directly onto the skin, else you can go for coconut moisturizing lotion.
Body Scrub
Coconut oil also works as a base in body scrub and leaves moisturized skin afterwards.
You can mix half a cup of melted oil with 1 cup of brown sugar or salt. Add a few drops of essential oil if you like. Apply the mixture to your skin, scrub gently, and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Cuticle Protector
In winter, the skin around the nails starts peeling off. The cuticles reach the worst conditions in the cold season. Here coconut oil can help you out due to its anti-inflammatory and skin-protective properties.
Use a sufficient amount of this oil and apply it to your nails and cuticles. Gently massage before bedtime. It helps to restore the damaged skin barrier and seal the cuticles.
For more such tips and tricks to take care of your skin in winter, and effective remedies for long-lasting hydration and moisturization with no feeling of greasiness or tackiness, watch here:
Take away:
Whether in a hair mask or as a cuticle protector, coconut oil's nourishing benefits are a timeless treasure for a wholesome winter beauty routine. Along with dryness, itchiness, redness, flaky skin, cracks, and rashes are common in winter. This wonder oil has been trending ever since given its vast benefits in hair care and skin care.
So, are you ready to conquer the cold with coconut-infused triumphs?
FAQs
Q. Is coconut oil good for face?
Ans. Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antioxidant, moisturizing, and skin-lightening properties which is very beneficial in skin care. Applying this coconut oil on face acts as a gentle cleanser and an effective makeup remover. People with oily skin can skip this oil as it may clog skin pores (comedogenic) and cause acne aka pimples.
Q. Is coconut oil good for hair?
Ans. Coconut oil is good for hair. It provides various hair care benefits, for instance, moisturizes the scalp, makes hair shiny, tackles dandruff and controls frizzy hair.
Q. Does coconut oil darken skin?
Ans. Coconut oil doesn't darken the skin. Although, it helps to even the skin tone the skin complexion and repair damaged skin barrier.
Q. What is virgin coconut oil?
Ans. Virgin coconut oil is a pure and unprocessed oil extracted from fresh coconut milk. Unlike refined oil, it maintains its natural aroma, antioxidants, and all-natural constituents. Virgin coconut oil benefits are many given its moisturizing properties, making it a popular choice for skincare and haircare routines.
Q. Is coconut oil good for health?
Ans. Yes, coconut oil is good for health. It contains healthy saturated fats that can boost heart health and have antioxidant properties which may support weight loss efforts.
Additionally, oil-pulling with virgin coconut oil has been linked with dental hygiene. However, moderation is key, as it is high in calories.
Q. What to mix with coconut oil for hair growth?
Ans. Adding essential oils to coconut oil can promote hair growth effectively. Oils like rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree have demonstrated benefits in enhancing hair health and providing support for overall hair well-being.
Q. Does applying coconut oil cause pimples?
Ans. Coconut oil is comedogenic. It can clog the pores. It is advisable to not use this oil if your skin is acne-prone. You can use a non-greasy moisturiser for long-lasting nourishment in your skin and fight off visible redness, dryness, and irritation due to harsh environmental conditions.
Q. Is coconut oil good for skin winter skincare?
Ans. Yes, coconut oil is amazing for skin and even for hair in winter. It keeps skin moist, dewy, nourished and hydrated in the winter. You hardly feel any itchy, dry or arid skin, even when the days are cold and windy. For improved skin hydration, elasticity, radiant and plump skin, hyaluronic acid serum can be used to deeply nourish dry, dehydrated, early aging skin.