Nourishing and soothing, coconut vegetable oil is the ally of dry skin. And of dull, dehydrated hair. To fully benefit from its advantages, here's how to incorporate this vegetable oil into your routine.
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How is coconut oil used?
Summary
- What are the benefits of coconut oil in cosmetics?
- When should one use coconut oil?
- Coconut oil for skin application, a guide
- How to use coconut oil for hair?
- Sources
Published June 10, 2022,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
What are the benefits of coconut oil in cosmetics?
Coconut oil, also known as coconut butter, is renowned not only in skincare and haircare but also in cooking. It is asolid oilat a temperature of 20°C or lower. It is derived from afirst cold pressing of the fruit flesh. It primarily contains saturated fatty acids, with lauric acid making up between 40 and 55%.
When applied topically, coconut oil moisturises dry skin and alleviates eczema. It restores the hydrolipidic film, thereby limiting insensible water loss and thus preventing skin dehydration. Furthermore, it soothes inflammations, particularly those caused by UV-B rays. The vitamin E and phytosterols it contains also make it an antioxidant treatment that prevents photo-ageing of the skin.
In relation to hair, coconutoil revitalises them and provides them with a shine. By penetrating the hair fibres, fatty acids and particularly lauric acid are able to limit water evaporation. They form a protective film to maintain the hydration of the hair shafts.
When should one use coconut oil?
Firstly, let's clarify that coconut oil is an ingredient that does not contain any allergenic substances. It can be used by pregnant/breastfeeding women as well as young children without risk. Being comedogenic, it is simply not recommended for oily and/or acne-prone skin as it could promote the appearance of imperfections on this type of skin.
Nevertheless, it is particularly recommended for dry skin that requires a supply of nourishing elements. It is also suitable for mature skin, to counteract the effects of skin ageing.
When applied to hair, coconut oil is used to repairdry, brittle and weakened hair or to protect thehair fibres frequently exposed to oxidation factors.
Coconut oil for skin application, a guide.
The skin is predominantly composed of water and a small proportion of fatty substances. Unlike serums or moisturising creams, oils penetrate less deeply into the skin due to their single fatty phase, whereas serums or creams are primarily composed of a water phase. This is why coconut oil, and vegetable oils in general, should be the final step in skincare application, even if it leaves only a thin oily film on the skin.
Thus, on aclean skinthat is dry, pour a few drops of coconut oil into the palm of your hand. Then warm the oil between your hands and distribute it in a circular massage across your entire face to ensure the oil is well absorbed. It can be used just as well in the morning as in the evening.
Several formulas associated with different Typology ranges contain 100% natural coconut oil (I.N.C.I.: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil). Among these, you can find the following treatments:
Thehand balmwith 10 ingredients also contains hyaluronic acid to provide a hydration boost.
Thebody moisturising creamwith 10 ingredients and theface moisturising creamwith 9 ingredientsare designed to hydrate all skin types, even the most sensitive ones. These are minimalist formulas with a light and non-greasy texture,suitable for dry, normal and combination skin, even sensitive ones. Due to the presence of organic coconut oil, we do not recommend these creams for oily skin.
How to use coconut oil for hair?
To care for your hair with coconut oil, simply incorporate a few drops into your regular shampoo. However, some hair care products are already enriched with coconut oil, such as masks, conditioners, shampoos, or even oils. It is also possible to use pure coconut oil as a hair oil to be applied only to the lengths or as an overnight mask. You just need to apply the coconut oil and wrap your hair in a towel. To allow the active ingredients to work, leave it on overnight before shampooing the next morning.
Sources:
Wallace, T. C. Health effects of coconut oil — a narrative review of current evidence, (2019).
Mara Therese Padilla Evangelista & al., The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, Int J Dermatol, (2014).
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