Learn why including coconut oil and other natural skin soothers into your beauty regimen is imperative.
For years, individuals have utilized natural oils for skin and hair care, including olive, coconut, and shea butter oils. They have been praised for their numerous moisturizing, antimicrobial, and protecting properties by generations of people.
These surprisingly straightforward ingredients have been disregarded due to the expansion of the contemporary health and cosmetics industries, but in the past ten years, they have experienced a slight rebound in popularity as consumers hunt for solutions that are inexpensive, effective, and free of additives.
However, which oils and how should you use them? What distinguishes them from one another? Continue reading to learn more about how natural oils can contribute to healthy, glowing skin.
Can You Use Other Oils including Coconut Oil on Your Skin and Hair Without Risk?
Natural oil application has long been practiced for skin and hair care: According to a study in the Journal of Experimental Botany, ancient Egyptian civilizations may have experimented with their use, while other studies have revealed Greek athletes may have applied olive oil to their skin before competitions, maybe to enhance the radiance of their skin.
At Baylor College of Medicine in Bellaire, Texas, Rajani Katta, MD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine and board-certified dermatologist, claims that "centuries of experience" demonstrate that allergic reactions to natural oils, such as coconut, olive, and sunflower seed oil, are rare.
According to her, "I believe that the quest for moisturizers that A) don't trigger allergic reactions, B) don't have as many chemicals that trigger allergic reactions, and C) are cost-effective is one of the reasons that natural oils have really come back into prominence."
Having said that, Dr. Katta suggests ensuring that your routine is appropriate for your skin type, particularly for your face. For example, she suggests that if you have acne-prone skin, moisturize your body exclusively with natural oils and see a dermatologist before applying any new oils to your face.
An report published in May-June 2016 in the Indian Journal of Dermatology states that your skin type—dry, oily, combination, or sensitive—can have a significant impact on how skin-care products affect your skin.
When using natural oils, you should also think about how soon you want to be in the sun after using them. Katta says, "I would definitely be very careful if you are using them on the face." "The effect of using radiation on facial skin is intensified because they are oils."
Applying natural oils in different ways at different times of the day is one technique to prevent sun damage.
Think about putting a little amount on your skin first thing in the morning; Katta says it should soak in approximately 15 minutes.
Apply as much oil as you like during the night while you aren't in the sun. According to Katta, if your skin isn't absorbing the product, you've applied too much.
How to Moisturize Your Face and Body with Natural Oils
"You really have to distinguish between the face and the body when applying natural oils," Katta advises.
"Since oils have the potential to block pores and exacerbate acne, I generally don't advocate these kinds of oils for acne. However, coconut oil would be an excellent body moisturizer for the same woman who suffers from acne on her face.
A small amount of trial and error may be necessary to determine how much oil meets your needs. Although the ideal amount of oil to use as a moisturizer has not been studied, your skin will tell you when it has had enough. It isn't fully absorbed if it feels extremely oily.
Is There a Difference Between Essential and Organic Oils?
A lot of individuals keep sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, or olive oil in their kitchen cabinets. Can you apply the same oils you use in your cooking to your face, though? Organic and unprocessed goods are your best option, according to Katta.
The type of coconut oil that is used for cooking has a higher smoke point than organic, unprocessed coconut oil, making it slightly better for cooking. However, the process of refining it may remove some of the compounds that could otherwise have positive qualities, according to the source.
Katta advises against using more refined products for hair and skin care and instead suggests using extra-virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil.
However, unlike olive and coconut oil, Katta notes that essential oils like tea tree, argan, and lemon oil are more likely to cause allergic reactions even if they are also becoming more and more frequent ingredients in skincare products.
The reputation of tea tree oil as a fantastic antibacterial and antifungal component has grown over time. It does possess those qualities, but you must use it quite sparingly, the woman claims.
The effects of tea tree oil on skin can be harmful in certain situations, she cautions. "I have witnessed individuals experience allergic reactions when applying it to eczema cracks on their skin, so I would never use it on exposed skin."
Although she would advise against using essential oils on skin that is extremely sensitive, she claims that for the majority of individuals, they should be safe to use when applied correctly. She explains, "You have to diffuse them quite a bit."
"For the majority of people, using a few drops in a carrier like coconut oil would probably be fine," the woman advises. When essential oils are diluted before application or cooking, a carrier oil serves as a neutral base for them.
Katta warns that certain oils can be more prone than others to have unfavorable side effects. "I've seen a lot of reactions to things like clove, cinnamon, lavender, and lemon oils if you have eczema or sensitive skin. When it comes to essential oils that can cause allergic responses, those are some of my main worries.
How to Use Natural Oils for Skin Care: Where to Begin
Getting a referral from your doctor is crucial before using any oils on your skin. However, to get you going, these are a few of the most well-liked types of natural oils:
1. Coconut oil
The health benefits of coconut oil, which include those from vitamins E and K as well as its antifungal and antibacterial qualities, are well known. It is also easily absorbed into the skin. The lone significant outlier? Coconut oil is also likely to contribute to breakouts, along with cocoa butter.
"Coconut oil is a great option for almost everyone overall, but I wouldn't use it on my face if I had oily skin or was prone to acne," adds Katta.
In a study that was published in the journal Dermatitis, researchers discovered that when used as a carrier, coconut oil moisturized skin more effectively than olive oil. For your face or skin care, always go for cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil.
2. Olive Oil
According to Katta, extra-virgin olive oil is the best option, but it doesn't usually cause allergic reactions. Olive oil is a good source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Studies have shown that it may be useful as a moisturizer; one such study was published in the journal Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in October 2016.
According to Katta, its thick consistency makes it an excellent option for an all-over application. For a cleaning that won't dry up your skin, you might even want to try an olive oil cleanser or bar of soap.
3. Oil from sunflower seeds
Sunflower seed oil is a great option for a natural moisturizer because it is readily available, rich in vitamin E, and penetrates quickly into the skin.
According to one study, sunflower oil outperformed olive oil in protecting the skin's barrier in babies and neither caused nor exacerbated atopic dermatitis, a kind of eczema. The result was published in the journal Pediatrics Dermatology.
4. Butter from Shea (Shea butter)
Shea butter, which is made from the nuts of the African shea tree, is similar to tallow and is typically found in a solid state. However, it melts at body temperature and is occasionally used as a moisturizer and hair product, according to Katta, who also notes that she hasn't noticed any allergic reactions from her patients.
To make it smoother to apply, unrefined organic shea butter can also be mixed with coconut or olive oil.
5. Oil from Grapes (Grapeseed oil)
Compared to other natural oils, grapeseed oil is lightweight and contains vital fatty acids and vitamin E. In September 2016, the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights published a research stating that it possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities.
Compared to the other oils, Katta's experience indicates that grapeseed oil is less frequently used for skin care, but she is positive about its potential application. She states, "I have not observed any allergic reactions to grapeseed oil." It's kind of intriguing that it contains a variety of phytochemicals with antioxidant effects as well.
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