Coconut
oil is a natural and highly beneficial
oil for healthy, youthful, disease-free
skin and
hair. When
coconut oil is applied topically or taken internally, it helps to keep the
skin soft and smooth and gives
hair a beautiful shine, whilst at the same time reducing the effects of
aging and preventing infections from entering the
skin. Unlike conventional lotions and body care products,
coconut oil is a natural product and is therefore free from harsh, potentially
toxic chemicals and other
additives.
Protects the Skin
The chemical structure of
coconut oil consists of medium-chain
fatty acids, which are small molecules, making it easily absorbed into the
skin and
hair.
The
skin consists of an outer protective layer that acts as a barrier, stopping harmful organisms from penetrating the
skin. This is an
oil called
sebum, and is very important to
skin health. Like
coconut oil, it contains medium-chain
fatty acids, and helps to lubricate the
skin and
hair, and prevent fungal and bacterial infections from entering the body.
This protective layer can be washed away by bathing or through broken
skin. Applying
coconut oil to the
skin quickly re-establishes this natural chemical barrier, by increasing the number of
antimicrobial fatty acids on the
skin and therefore protecting it from infection.
anti-aging
Oils have a visible effect on all tissues of the body, especially connective tissues. These tissues are found in the
skin,
muscles,
bones, nerves and internal organs, and support the framework for all body tissues, holding everything together. These give
skin strength and elasticity. As the
skin ages however, these tissues are attacked by
free radicals, which cause it to sag and wrinkle.
The only way to fight this free radical damage is with
antioxidants, therefore it is essential to have plenty of
antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect them. The number of
antioxidants in our tissues is largely determined by the nutrients in our
diet. However,
coconut oil has also been found to be the ideal lotion for protecting it against damage, promoting
healing and giving it a healthy, soft, youthful appearance.
Moisturizing
Pure
coconut oil is an excellent natural
skin moisturizer. It prevents free radical formation and the damage it causes. It helps prevent the
skin from developing blemishes causes by
aging and other factors. It is absorbed into the
skin and keeps connective tissue strong and supple so that
skin doesn't age prematurely.
This wonderful
oil also makes an ideal ointment for the relief of dry, rough and flaky
skin. It helps to remove the layer of dead
skin cells on the outer surface of the
skin, leaving it smoother, evenly textured and moisturized.
Healing and Repair
Coconut
oil has been found to help stimulate
healing and repair. Some of its reported
health benefits for
skin include helping with:
- Inflammatory conditions like psoriasis
- Acne
- Fungal infections like athlete's foot
- Sunburn
- Healing cuts, bruises and sprains, and reducing scarring
- Insect bites
How to Use coconut Oil
To use
coconut oil on the
skin, massage in a small amount and reapply it often. The
oil is quickly absorbed into the
skin and doesn't leave a greasy film like commercial lotions and oils do.
Coconut oil will gradually soften the
skin with regular use, removing dead layers, and encourage the growth of new, healthier tissue.
For severely dried or cracked
skin, apply a liberal amount of
coconut oil to the affected area, wrap it loosely in plastic or a towel, and leave it on overnight or at least a few hours. Repeat this process until the condition improves.
Coconut
oil can be used on the entire body. Massage it into the
skin for best results. It can also be used on the face to improve complexion and smooth out any blemishes.
Hair Care
Coconut
oil makes a great
hair conditioner. It gives
hair a healthy shine, is great for the scalp and helps to control
dandruff. It helps to reestablish a healthy
skin environment by replacing natural oils that may have been washed away.
Studies have shown that using
coconut oil on the
hair can help prevent combing damage and improve its overall
health and appearance. One study, in particular, found that compared to sunflower and
mineral oils,
coconut oil was the only one that reduced
protein loss for both undamaged and damaged
hair when used both pre-wash and post-wash. The authors explained this difference was due to the composition of the oils.
coconut oil, being rich in medium-chain triglycerides is able to penetrate inside the
hair shaft, protecting it from
protein loss as well as giving it body. The other two oils have a different composition and therefore have no positive impact on
protein loss. Only
coconut oil can protect the
hair and prevent
hair damage, so it is clearly the best
oil to use for
hair.
To use, massage warm
coconut oil into the
hair, leave in on overnight, and wash it out in the morning. For a more intensive treatment, soak the
hair thoroughly in the
oil for an hour or two, before washing.
Types of coconut Oil
There are two types of
coconut oil:
processed and
virgin. The difference between the oils depends on the amount of processing the
oil undergoes and the type of
coconut used. Processed
oil is made from dried coconuts and has usually undergone extensive processing such as refining, bleaching and deodorizing, and is the type typically used in foods and cosmetics.
"Virgin" signifies an
oil that has undergone less refining with lower temperatures and without chemicals. It is also made from fresh coconuts, and retains its naturally occurring
phytochemicals (plant chemicals). Virgin
coconut oil usually has a mild
coconut flavor and aroma compared to more refined oils, which have less taste, smell and are colorless.
Regardless of the method of processing, however, both oils contain essentially the same amount of health-promoting medium-chain
fatty acids. These
fatty acids are very resistant to heat and are not harmed by processing, even at high temperatures. Therefore, all types of
coconut oils are considered healthy oils.
Pure
coconut oil should be a crystal clear liquid in warm conditions, and becomes a hard, white solid in cooler climates. This process does not affect the quality of the
oil, and solidified
coconut oil quickly becomes liquid when the container is immersed in hot
water or warmed in the hands.
Source: www.healthymuslim.com