Does Coconut Oil Clog Pores?

Most people would jump at the chance for beautiful skin. So many of us are on the lookout for new products such as soaps, lotions, or oils to use as part of our skincare routine. Many people are also looking to find natural options that don’t contain harsh chemicals. One natural product which you might not have given much thought to is coconut oil, which smells great and is very affordable. These days you can find coconut oil available many places including websites like Amazon, natural food stores, and even in many grocery stores.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

It may surprise you to learn that coconut oil is antifungal, antibacterial and can deep clean pores.

Coconut Oil: A Natural Remedy for Eczema

How and Why it Works

A skin disorder that is usually chronic is called Dermatitis, or eczema. Most people who have this develop a rash that itches and often they become dry, red and scaly. Covering a range of different inflammations on the skin the word eczema is a blanket word. Some of the most common names for this skin inflammation are atopic eczema and infantile or baby eczema or atopic dermatitis. There are various treatments and various causes as well. They have now discovered that people that have eczema can use coconut oil and it works really well. Coconut oil for eczema works well for the people that have this condition. But before you start using it for this condition try it and see if you can use it for this and ask your doctor about it.

The Common Causes of Eczema

Being able to treat your eczema is great and when it works for you it’s even better but unless you find out what is causing the flare ups then it will come back again and again. Some of the best common triggers for dermatitis include shellac (found in mascara) various chemicals that are found in makeup, nickel found in glasses and jewelry, latex gloves, tomatoes, fabric softener, and latex balloons. Try and find out what is causing these outbreaks, or the cause of it. The result of these chemicals touching your skin triggers it and causes your skin to itch so you scratch. Usually, the doctor can prescribe something to keep that area hydrated and also to reduce the inflammation. Using a prescription that you would get from your doctor would be a good idea. Using chemicals especially on your face is not a good idea for anyone.

Organic Coconut Oil for Eczema

If you are an eczema sufferer then you probably agree that the organic extra virgin coconut to be the best product to relieve the suffering of the itching and the dryness and it might just stop the flakiness. Coconut oil is fantastic products that can help you remove your make up and add shine to your hair and will make your hair feel gorgeous. If you add it to your skin care regime you can truly see some amazing results.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Eczema

Using the oil is very easy, because of it having so many health benefits you should use it internally and externally. Remember you can use it in you mix for your smoothie. The Coconut oil is a plant fat, which means that it is a medium chain fatty acid, so it won’t help you put on weight if anything it will help you take it off. An attack of eczema is actually that, an attack. The first things for an attack to happen is your skin has to be sensitive to certain irritants that will make the condition flare up. The second thing is that there has to be a cause. So you have to take the time to figure out what exactly what the causes are so that you are able to use the coconut oil for your eczema. If you do nothing at all, the immune system will beat the condition however having a flare-up of eczema is painful and annoying and can sometimes even leave scarring. Most of the people who have these flare-ups would agree that if you find a treatment it would be better than just to wait. Coconut oil is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for eczema as well as other inflammations.

Image Credit: Care_SMC on Flickr

Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash

Coconut Oil Does Work

About a decade ago, we began to hear about the benefits and medicinal properties of coconut oil. Fast forward a few years later, and it became a household remedy and cure-all for all sorts of ailments, minor and major.

Coconut oil is quickly and for good reason becoming known by everyone in the nutrition business as a super food. A handy home remedy and healthful food, it is great to have in stock at your home. One of the top home remedies, mothers should always consider using coconut oil for the very common skin irritation better known as diaper rash.

The Reason it Works

Coconut oil can be used for a variety of skin conditions and irritations, including diaper rash. The reason why is because it has a calming and moisturizing effect on the skin. There are no harsh ingredients or additives in coconut oil, making it safe and reliable. Coconut oil has a plethora of health and medical benefits, including anti-fungal, anti-viral, and has anti-bacterial compounds, making it quite the potent medicinal tonic – basically, it is one of nature’s antibiotics plus a calming moisturizer. Many cases of diaper rash are caused by fungus, yeast, and bacteria, therefore this oil is a perfect treatment for babies and without any harsh chemicals and ingredients.

How to Use It

The application of coconut oil to diaper rash is very simple and straightforward. It can either be applied directly to the skin as is, or used with a binding agent. A good binding agent for this is flour as it’s very neutral. Mix a tablespoon of flour with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, and apply liberally to the irritated areas. Leave on for 30-60 minutes at a time and rinse with soap and water in the bath.

Type of Coconut Oil to Use

You are going to want to find 100% natural organic extra virgin coconut oil. This is the type used directly on skin and hair. Regardless of what the skin irritation is and irrespective of what caused your baby’s diaper rash, this type of coconut oil treats it very thoroughly. It is extremely gentle on the skin, making it perfect for a child’s behind. Regardless of the brand, this is the type of coconut oil you are going to want to get. Please do not purchase the oils made for cooking, as many times it has extra additives that aren’t good for the skin.

To your baby’s health.

Here Are Some Natural Baby Products With Coconut Oil

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Multipurpose Ointment

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Multipurpose Ointment is very good at preventing diaper rash and won’t stain clothes or cloth diapers the way zinc oxide or petroleum products will. Not only does this product help protect against diaper rash, but you can use it to help treat other skin ailments such as eczema. It is truly a multipurpose ointment that you can use on a daily basis.

Learn more and buy here.

If your baby already is suffering from diaper rash and you are looking for more immediate relief you might want to try Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Diaper Rash Ointment as well.

The Eco Sprout Coconut Stick

The Eco Sprout Coconut Stick is a natural product that doesn’t contain any petroleum. It is 100% organic and made with unrefined virgin coconut oil that is blended with beeswax and Vitamin E oil. The stick lasts a long time and comes in a size that is small enough to bring along in your carry on luggage when you travel. In addition to diaper rash The Coconut Stick can be used for bug bites and stings, baby acne, cradle cap, dry skin, wind burn, stretch marks, itchy pregnancy belly and more.

Learn more and buy here.

Image Credit: Lisa Rosario Photography on Flickr

Coconut Oil: A Natural Psoriasis Remedy

What is psoriasis?

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition of the skin that causes raised patches and dry skin. People affected by psoriasis are often uncomfortable, reporting stinging, burning, and itching sensations in affected areas. Oftentimes, the condition can be diagnosed visually by a healthcare professional, and a variety of treatment options are available. While there is no absolute cure for psoriasis, coconut oil is a great alternative to other OTC psoriasis treatments, as it is a natural way to find relief for the condition. Coconut oil is made by extracting oil from the meat of a harvested coconut and can be used to treat dry skin without harsh synthetic chemicals.

How can coconut oil be used to treat psoriasis?

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has great anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, making it a beneficial treatment for psoriasis for a number of reasons.

Coconut Oil for Dandruff: A Natural Dandruff Remedy

Dandruff can be a bothersome issue to have. It is often caused by having a dry scalp, which in turns creates flakes that are on the scalp and in the hair as well. If this is an issue that you have, you are most likely are looking for a way to treat it as well. There are a lot of home remedies that will promise to cure this ailment. One that is found to be the most effective though, is to use coconut oil. Using coconut oil to treat dandruff is something that has been used for some time, but may not be well known. This natural remedy is sure to help alleviate this issue.

Why it Works

It is thought that the reason coconut oil works as a home remedy, is because it works as a deep moisturizer in the hair and scalp. This moisturizing property is what will replenish the hydration in the scalp, hence no flakes. Because of this, those with thick coarse hair are often encouraged to use hot coconut oil hair treatments to treat and prevent the dandruff issue. Coconut oil also has some anti-fungal properties to offer. These anti-fungal properties can aid in the treatment of dandruff as well.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Treat Dandruff

In order to try this successfully at home, you will need to look at the options of coconut oil that are available. Most people recommend using Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil for this natural remedy. Buying this though, in its natural form it is solid. Coconut oil has a low melting point of 76 degrees so I will melt in your hands as you apply it to your scalp. However, if you prefer to have it in liquid form when you apply it to your scalp you will have to heat it up, which is as simple as popping it into the microwave for a few seconds.

You will need to determine the amount of oil that you are wanting to use. It is important to not use too much, as it can give hair a greasy dirty appearance if aren’t able to shampoo it out after your treatment. Using too much of this coconut oil can also cause build up on the scalp, which will completely defeat the purpose. It is recommended that you use one or two teaspoons at first to try and treat. If this isn’t quite enough, apply just a slight bit more the following attempt.

You will want to massage the oil directly into your scalp, so make sure to part the hair when applying. Do not scratch with your nails when massaging, as this will actually bring up more flakes into the hair. After you have thoroughly applied and massaged, place a shower cap or even a plastic bag around the hair. Leave the coconut oil on for about fifteen minutes, and then wash the hair well and condition. This may take a couple of attempts, so be sure to be patient and keep trying.

Using coconut oil as a home remedy for dandruff is an inexpensive way to get rid of this embarrassing issue. If after trying this out and seeing that it is effective, you should consider getting hot coconut oil treatments at home each week, as these will help as well to prevent it from coming back. Coconut oil for dandruff is a great start to that silky clean hair!

Image Credit: Hmochoa95 [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Coconut Oil for Acne

What is Acne and What Causes It?

Acne is a condition of the skin that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin. The most common areas on your body where acne occurs are on the face, neck, back and shoulders. Acne can be very persistent: as soon as some pimples go away a new crop shows up. This can be very stressful and lead to low self-esteem and a weakening of self-confidence. There are many treatments available: some better than others. What you want to do is treat your acne as soon as it appears. The sooner you start treating your acne the better the results will be. If you start right away with an effective treatment you lessen the degree of acne you will suffer and this can help prevent or minimize acne scaring.

Is Coconut Oil for Acne an Effective Treatment?

Yes, coconut oil for acne is an effective treatment. Coconut oil contains anti-fungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that are effective in fighting acne.

Coconut Oil for Skin Care

The Coconut – The Adaptable Fruit

The coconut has been prized for centuries for its great versatility. Found in tropical and subtropical regions, it is part of the daily diet of many people throughout the world; but more than a source of food and water, the coconut also has numerous commercial and industrial uses from the tough husks to the leaves of the palm tree. One reason for its status is its inflorescence: the coconut palm produces both male and female flowers, thus self-pollinating. Moreover, it produces flowers continuously and is not subject to seasonality.

The Coconut as a Source of Oil

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of the coconut and has several applications, including food, beauty, and domestic applications. Because of its high saturated fat content, it resists rancidity and has a shelf life of about two years. It burns at a very high temperature, making it ideal for cooking and frying. Coconut oil was eschewed for a time due to its high saturated fat content, being replaced by the food industry with trans fats, until the dangers of the latter became known. Coconut oil has been considered a villain for many years, blamed for causing clogged arteries and leading to impending death from heart attacks; but recent studies have refuted those admonitions. Now, coconut oil is seeing a resurgence in popularity, especially among health food aficionados and vegetarians.

Coconut Oil For Skin Care

The big news is that coconut oil has now come into vogue, and specifically, coconut oil for skin care, which has finally earned its place next to some of the biggest names in the industry.