You cook with it, add it to smoothies, replace unhealthy vegetable fats with it. Is it also good to use on your face or as a body lotion?
Watch my IGTV on this topic here! ⬇️
Coconut oil is a beauty trend that exploded a few years ago when people starting asking what was in their beauty products. They wanted to know how, why and what the ingredients did. Coconut oil has been popular ever since and has made its way into products everywhere you go.
The Pros
First, let's talk about why coconut oil is so popular and beneficial. There are many reasons including the following:
- Anti-inflammatory (reference)
- Antimicrobial (reference)
- Antifungal (reference)
- Can reduce abdominal obesity (reference)
- Improved brain function in Alzheimer’s patients (reference)
- The lauric acid content of coconut oil is found to positively block the growth of bad bacteria (reference)
- Is shown to possibly help fight acne (reference)
- It's added to body lotions and creams to thicken and emulsify instead of using petroleum- based ingredients
- Affordable
The Cons
As always, we need to look at both sides!
- Coconut oil is a very large molecule that cannot fit into your skin, it will only sit on top
- Sitting on top of the skin means your face can’t breathe, aka congestion
- The process of refining coconut oil doesn’t always make it "clean". Just because marketing can make it seem clean and flawless doesn’t mean it is! The process in which it is extracted can leave the product just as nasty as other "dirty" products on the market.
- No balance with water- our skin needs water!
My Professional Opinion
The benefits are great. They really are. But, y’all know me and I am not one to beat around the bush.
Please don’t use coconut oil on your face❤️❤️❤️
I’m telling you this, because there are MUCH better options out there without the issues I see with coconut oil users. Here is a list of what I see happens with using coconut oil for your face (especially my acne-prone clients!):
- Clogged and enlarged pores
- Blackheads
- Barrier issues- lack of water and heavy oils cause redness, irritation, oily but dryness (aka barrier, you know I talk about this all the time!)
- Layers of dead, sometimes flaking, skin that is almost glued on
- All of these leads to..... more breakouts!
Better Alternatives
Of course there are oils to use instead that are great for balancing the oil you are already producing to make sure your skin isn’t overproducing it's own oil. Try these that will not clog your pores ⬇️
- Grapeseed oil
- Almond oil
- Hemp oil
- Sea Buckthorn oil
- Jojoba oil
- Argan oil
- Rosehip oil
- Neem oil
- Safflower oil
Products to try
Here are a few of my true and tried products I created to help with this very problem. I have been exactly in the shoes you are standing in. I am here to help!
- Cleanse: shop here
- Balancing oil: shop here
- Water-based, hydrating mist to use with the oil: shop here
Shop my entire line of products here ? If you are needing virtual or in-person assistance you can schedule a treatment or consultation with me here. I'd love to help!
I hope this offers you some insight and understanding of my view as an Esthetician seeing skin every day! Acne is the biggest offender I see and I would absolutely hate to not provide the info that could help change someone’s life. Clear skin = more confidence and more confidence = more people walking in their passion, serving others well and passing the torch for those behind them. I see you, I appreciate you and I think you’re AWESOME.
Much love ❤️-A