How to use coconut oil for face

Coconut oil is a natural product with a lot of beneficial properties. This tool is used in cosmetology and cooking. Coconut oil is useful to apply to the skin of the face, lips and eyelashes to everyone, regardless of gender and age. However, not all products based on this product are equally useful.

Types of coconut oil

In order to extract the oil from the coconut pulp, it must be subjected to several stages of processing. There are two ways to extract oil:

1. Cold processing. On the label with the oil obtained by this method should be the inscription: "Virgin" or "Cold-pressed". The flesh in this case is simply passed through several machines with a press. Oil turns out a little and it costs more. But with this preparation in the product contains the maximum amount of nutrients.
2. Hot processing. On the etiquette with this oil, the processing method may not be specified, but may be the inscription: "Hot-pressed". The flesh, before putting it under a press, is exposed to a hot temperature, in other words, it is dried. This oil is cheaper, but during processing it loses a number of useful properties.

In addition, coconut oil can be refined and unrefined. In cold processing, the oil is always unrefined. This means that it has not been exposed to extraneous chemicals. On the label with refined oil should be written "Refined". It is cleared of natural ballast substances, such as: metals, minerals, inorganic salts and organic acids. In addition, refined oil is hypoallergenic, does not smell of coconut and is stored longer.

Which product is better to choose? Cold-treated oil has more beneficial properties than hot oil, and unrefined compared to refined oil. However, such a product may cause allergic reactions or other individual intolerance, because you should choose the appropriate option yourself.

The beneficial properties of coconut oil

Coconut contains a large amount of vitamins, flavonoids, fatty acids and other substances needed by the body. Different types of oil are unequally useful, most of all the listed substances contain the product of cold processing, less - refined oil. Most of the compounds contained in coconut, has a lipophilic structure, they dissolve in fats and are able to pass through intact skin. This means that coconut oil is suitable for external use. It consists of such substances as:

Vitamins: group B, rutin, nicotinic acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol. Through the intact skin is able to penetrate the last two vitamins. The remaining vitamins promote healing of wounds when applied externally.

Flavonoids, such as catechins, are powerful antioxidants, they prevent aging and tumor cell degeneration.

Fatty acids: oleinate, palmitate, stearinate, laurinate– they are all part of the phospholipids of cell membranes.

Coconut oil is used in cosmetology, because it improves skin elasticity, reduces the signs of aging, smoothes wrinkles, nourishes and moisturizes the skin, makes it velvety to the touch. In addition, this oil is able to heal wounds and microcracks, reduce inflammation, accelerate the growth of eyelashes.

Coconut oil for face

The face is more affected than other parts of the body. It is on it that the first signs of aging, skin cancer, and inflammatory processes appear. Depending on the desired result, there are several ways to use coconut oil for the face:

1. Exfoliating scrub. Mix coconut oil with salt in the ratio of 2: 1, then apply the resulting mixture with massaging movements on the skin of the face, wash off after a few minutes.
2. Wrinkle treatment. Apply a small amount of coconut oil on the fingertips, and then lightly rub into the skin around the eyes from the inner to the outer corner.
3. Moisturizing mask. Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with a tablespoon of honey, apply on face and leave for 20 minutes. This mask, in addition, has antibacterial properties and prevents the development of inflammation.
4. Nutritious cream. Coconut oil can be used instead of night cream, simply by applying a small amount to the skin of the face. In addition, preheated oil can be added to an existing cosmetic.

There are a number of non-standard uses for coconut oil:

1. Shaving gel. Excellent tool for men with sensitive skin. Coconut oil should be applied to the skin before shaving instead of the usual cream. This will improve the sliding of the blades, reduce irritation, prevent the appearance of microcracks and cuts.
2. Makeup remover. With the help of coconut oil, you can remove any cosmetics, including waterproof mascara. To do this, you need to apply to the skin for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse.
3. Oil for eyelashes. The tool must be applied to the eyelashes and leave for several hours, the procedure is repeated daily.
4. Lip gloss. If you mix coconut oil with the remnants of lipstick, you get a useful lip gloss. But it should be borne in mind that it can not be used in the summer, because the oil melts in the sun.

Cooking coconut oil at home

For those who do not believe that the goods on the store shelves are really natural and organically pure, there is a recipe for making butter at home.It will take one coconut, hot water, a jar and a little patience.

First, you need to cut the coconut and remove the pulp from it. It should be put to dry for at least 12 hours, you can do without this procedure, but then you get less oil. Then the pulp should be crushed and filled with hot water in a ratio of 1: 2. Until the water cools down, the resulting mass must be crushed, trying to squeeze the entire contents as far as possible. When the water has cooled, it needs to be drained, cleaned of pulp and refrigerated for several hours.

White soap bubbles should appear on the surface of the water - this is oil. To give it a uniform consistency, you should melt the lumps, pour the resulting liquid into a jar and put it in the refrigerator again. Natural homemade coconut oil is ready.

Signs of quality oil

If you still do not have the ability or desire to cook yourself, you can choose a quality product from the commercially available options. The first thing you should know: coconut oil at room temperature (20-25 ° C) can not be liquid.At a temperature of 25 ° C and below, natural coconut oil hardens, which means that liquid consistency products have many chemical stabilizers.

There are international quality standards, all goods are imported, and therefore must be certified. The standards of BDIH, NaTrue, USDA Organic are most demanding on the quality of coconut oil. The emblems of these companies should be found on the label of a jar of coconut oil. They guarantee that the product does not contain impurities.

In conclusion, it should be added that coconut oil is a universal remedy for the skin of the face, which can replace many cosmetic procedures if used correctly.

Video: 15 ways to use coconut oil