everything you need to know, benefits and properties

There are a thousand ways to use coconut oil, from the world of cooking to cosmetics. Many beauty formulations include it among their ingredients. However the coconut oil It can be used on its own and is loaded with benefits for the face, body and hair. Do you want to give your hair the maximum of pampering? This is the coconut oil user manual definitive.

What is coconut oil

Coconut oil is a vegetable oil high in saturated fat and lauric acid. It is a product from the seed of mature coconuts, which can be used refined or extra virgin, only pressed and filtered to remove the pulp. He extra virgin coconut oil It is better for food and cosmetic use, because it is more nutritious.

Coconut oil uses for hair

One of the main uses of this extra virgin oil is on hair, as we have indicated, since it is an un vegetable oil with a very high level of saturated acids that make it a great cosmetic ally. In fact, the Dermatological Medical Institute, points out in a study among its benefits some of the following.

in-depth nutrition

Coconut oil helps soften, repair and deeply nourish our hair fibers. As well the protects from aggressions in washing if we apply it before shampooing. This way we will prevent our hair from absorbing excess water and we will protect it against loss of hydration, especially if we use coconut oil on dry ends.

Coconut oil is recommended for its high level of vitamins and mineralssince it helps for the correct functioning of the follicle, improves the condition of the ends and that of the entire hair fiber.

Anti-frizz protection

This versatile vegetable oil also provides protection during stylingbecause it covers the hair fiber and prevents frizz and breakage.

Relief for dry and flaky scalp

Coconut oil has properties on dry scalp, As it can help repair the damaged skin barrier and thus relieve itching. In the same way, given its antibacterial and antifungal properties, it can help eliminate dandruff and is one of the best relief for a sensitive scalp.

The great ally in the method curly

For all users of the method curly, coconut oil is a great ally of your curls. It is a product that hydrates and nourishes a lot and, as we already know, this type of hair needs a lot of nutrition.

In fact, according to some professionals such as charo garcia From Ilitia Beauty & Science, the basis of any wavy or curly hair is hydration, which is why we must resort to products that provide moisture and nutrition and that have ingredients such as coconut oil. A trick to show off beautiful curls is apply a little oil from the lengths to the ends before applying the finishing product.

Coconut oil application guide for hair

There are many ways to apply coconut oil to our hair. Can make a mask by applying it all over the hair and leaving it to act for an hour before washing the hair. We can also mix it with tea tree essential oil to combat dandruff, using it directly on the scalp.

As a finishing product for hair, we can use it from means to ends before bed to hydrate the hair, waking up with a silkier and shinier mane.

Coconut oil uses for skin

However, beyond its use for hair, it also has many benefits for the skin. In this sense, we have to emphasize that they are due to their lauric acid content, which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and because it is very rich in nutrients. Especially in omega-6 fatty acids, especially in linoleic acid.

In this way, it is necessary to know that the main use of coconut oil is as a moisturizer or, rather, moisturizer since it helps to retain the hydration of the skin, so, above all, for drier skin it is very interesting. In fact, there are studies that indicate that as a natural body butter it is a perfect option since around 65% of the composition of coconut oil are medium chain fatty acids.

But beware, because those same studies indicate that coconut oil can help decrease transepidermal water loss, which is when water passively evaporates from the skin (too much of this leads to dry skin) and that loss can trigger conditions such as eczema, rosacea or dermatitis. Therefore, if we are prone to drier skin, coconut oil can become our new best friend by repairing the skin barrier, it can help decrease the amount of moisture lost from the skin.

Yes indeed, It is not recommended to use it on the face as it is very comedogenicthat is, it clogs the pores and, therefore, we could get pimples, cause acne, blackheads, milium…, which is not interesting at all.

Of course, other uses that we can give to coconut oil are as a natural make-up remover to carry out a very interesting double cleaning at a price-quality level; ideal to apply to areas of the body such as nails, cuticles, elbows, heels, knees…; as a lip balm… come on, it has many uses.

The health benefits and nutritional properties of coconut oil

Everyone knows that coconut oil also it is a conventional edible oil which is extracted from the kernel of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm. In this way, we can distinguish two main types of coconut oil, which are copra oil and virgin coconut oil with similar fatty acid profiles, however, the latter contains higher amounts of some nutrients (eg, vitamin E) and dietary bioactive compounds (eg, polyphenols).

It is true that coconut oil is the subject of multiple studies and while some indicate that it could be beneficial at a cardiovascular level despite containing 92% saturated fatty acids, most go in another line, especially due to the type of oil processed. that we ended up taking Likewise, we can point out that there are studies that indicate that although it would be able to increase the so-called good cholesterol, it would also increase LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides precisely due to its high content of saturated fats. which is totally contrary to good cardiovascular health.

In this sense, we cannot help but bring up the study carried out by Beatriz Robles, food technologist and dietitian-nutritionist and professor at the Isabel I University, who comments that it is not recommended to use coconut oil to replace a significant amount of fat unsaturated vegetable oils; she also indicates that there is strong evidence that coconut oil exerts an adverse effect on lipid parameters associated with cardiovascular health according to a study that she indicates; In addition to showing that there is no evidence that the saturated fats in coconut oil act differently from others and that it does not support the proposal that it is a beneficial fat for cardiovascular health and that, finally, it should not be considered a healthy fat in reducing cardiovascular risk and its consumption should be limited due to its high saturated fat content.

In relation to that effect that is attributed to weight loss, we have to remember a study that indicates that coconut oil is a food that presents a nutraceutical profile with thermogenic action, and can be a proposal used for the process of losing weight and reducing the waist circumference. However, a systematic review was carried out with the objective of identifying the main evidence of the use of coconut oil in the process of losing weight and reducing abdominal circumference, including studies with results of meta-analysis, clinical trials, case-control studies, and series. of human cases published in the last 10 years. This way, little evidence was found regarding the effects of coconut oil on weight loss and reduction in waist circumference. There are few or inconclusive studies that evaluate the effects of coconut oil for aesthetic purposes such as weight loss and waist circumference reduction , associated or not with the practice of physical activity , which questions the use of this supplement.

The best extra virgin coconut oils

If you are looking for a good coconut oil to add to your hair care routine, our main recommendation is Always bet on totally natural extra virgin options and without additives. Something that this shopping that we have selected more than covers.

Virgin organic coconut oil from NaturaleBio, 9.48 euros.

Beauty Drops 100% pure coconut oil, 4.95 euros.

100% pure organic coconut oil from Arganour, 5.95 euros.

Extra virgin coconut oil from Naturseed, 16 euros.

Evoluderm organic coconut oil, 3.99 euros.

Virgin coconut oil from Yerbas Vivas, 8.95 euros.

NaturGreen Bio raw coconut oil: 7.10 euros.

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Photos | @sarafructuoso, @collagevintage, iStock

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