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. It will help fight the infections and inflammations of your acne, which will prevent or minimize future break outs. Coconut oil contains vitamin K, vitamin E, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid that helps prevent acne scaring. When scaring has already occurred it can help minimize these scars. Coconut oil for acne is so effective because it’s a mild treatment for acne. There are many treatments that are so harsh that they will inflame your skin causing your acne to get worse. You want the treatment to be safe, mild and effective.
Are There Other Benefits to Using Coconut Oil for Acne?
Yes, there are. Besides helping to unclog pores coconut oil nourishes your skin and gives it a smooth appearance and feel. You are doing something good for your skin and fighting acne, too. Another important benefit is knowing that you are doing something that will improve your looks. It’s a great feeling knowing you look your best. It helps boost your self-confidence and with your increased confidence your social life will improve, relationships with family members and coworker will improve and you will just have a more enjoyable life with less stress; and less stress leads to better health.
What Are the Best Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Acne?
A good way to use coconut oil for acne is to spread a layer on all the areas affected by acne. You will want to make sure the coconut oil you use does not have any harsh chemicals added to the mix. It should be organic virgin, unrefined and cold pressed. This will help strengthen your skin, diminish any acne scars you may have and prevent any new scars from forming. Your skin will be healthier and more radiant. Apply the coconut oil at least once a day. You can apply it at night an hour or two before bedtime. You can also apply coconut oil in the morning in addition to a night time application. Additional applications throughout the day, up to 2-4 times total can help speed recovery. If you have large areas of your body that have acne you may want to add coconut oil to a tub of warm water and enjoy a relaxing bath. You can add a few ounces of coconut oil to your bathtub as it is filling. This will help to evenly mix the oil throughout your bathwater. Using warm water will help open your skin’s pores and make the treatment more effective. You can also use coconut oil for spot treatments. Give your skin a fighting chance against more persistent and aggressive areas of concern.
Can I Take Coconut Oil Internally?
Yes, you can. A typical amount of coconut oil taken internally is 3 Tbsp per day. The best way is to take the 3 Tbsp are 1 Tbsp per meal. You should not take coconut oil if you have high blood pressure. You should consult with a doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Good luck on your journey to healthier, more radiant skin.
Image Credits: Walt UrbaneWomenMag & profeticsbeta on Flickr
