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Is coconut oil good for your skin?

Coconut oil is a type of fat that has been flaunted for its health-promoting properties. In fact, it has benefits for skin health as well. Let’s understand this in detail.

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is traditionally made by extracting the oil from raw coconuts or dried coconut kernels. It is regularly used in cooking or applied directly to the skin. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids. Are you wondering which type of coconut oil is best? Refined coconut oil might be better suited for cooking at high temperatures. In terms of skin health, virgin coconut oil is a better choice.

Can coconut oil kill harmful microorganisms?

The antimicrobial properties of medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil can help protect against harmful microorganisms. This is particularly significant for skin health, as many types of skin infections, including acne, are caused by microorganisms or fungi. Applying coconut oil directly to the skin might prevent the growth of these microorganisms.

Can coconut oil reduce inflammation?

Chronic inflammation is a main constituent of different types of skin disorders, including psoriasis, contact dermatitis and eczema. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties. What’s more, coconut oil might ease inflammation by improving antioxidant status. Antioxidants stabilize free radicals in the body and neutralize the reactive atoms that contribute to inflammation.

Can coconut oil help treat acne?

Acne is an inflammatory condition and many of the medications used to treat it work by targeting and reducing inflammation. (Source: PubMed Central) Coconut oil and its components might help reduce inflammation in the body. It might also help in the treatment of acne. Also, the antibacterial properties of the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil could help reduce acne. Many studies have shown that lauric acid, which accounts for nearly half of the fatty acids in coconut oil, has been shown to kill off the strain of microorganisms linked to acne (Source: PubMed Central)

Can coconut oil moisturize dry skin?

Applying coconut oil to your skin can help keep it hydrated. A two-week study in patients with mild to moderately dry skin compared the effects of coconut oil to mineral oil. It was found that coconut oil significantly improved skin hydration and was as effective as mineral oil. (Source: PubMed Central) It has also been shown to help treat eczema, a skin condition characterized by scaly, itchy rashes. A study compared the effects of olive oil and coconut oil in 52 adults with eczema. This study found that applying coconut oil helped reduce dryness, in addition to helping treat eczema. (Source: PubMed Central) Another study showed that coconut oil led to a 68% decrease in eczema severity. This makes it significantly more effective than mineral oil in the treatment of eczema. (Source: PubMed Central) Keeping your skin hydrated can help preserve its function as a barrier to keep out bacteria, promote the healing of scars and maintain overall skin integrity.

Who shouldn’t use coconut oil?

Applying coconut oil to the skin might not be ideal for everyone. For instance, those who have oily skin might want to avoid doing so, as it might block pores and cause blackheads. Trial and error might be the best approach to determine if coconut oil works for you. Moreover, if you have sensitive skin, use a small amount or try applying it only to a small section of skin to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation or blocked pores. If you have oily or highly sensitive skin, consider adding coconut oil to your diet to take advantage of its benefits.

If you have oily or highly sensitive skin, ensure to start slowly in order to evaluate your tolerance. And consult with an expert homeopathy doctor if you have any concerns. You should take the skin evaluation test in order to assess the current state of your skin condition.

Homeopathic treatment is often a preferred choice for those who are concerned about sensitive skin. Homeopathic medicines adopt a gentle approach to healing tender skin and come with zero side-effects. Homeopathic medicine for acne and psoriasis has proven extremely effective in combating the skin conditions and providing lasting results. If you suffer from any skin rash, do visit your nearest skin clinic for holistic healing remedies.

Dr Batra’s™ has the experience and expertise of treating more than 1.41 lakh skin patients effectively over the past 35 years. They can ensure safe and scientific solutions for skin ailments. Their homeopathy treatment extends beyond the physical symptoms. They address the underlying emotional triggers like stress and depression that are often seen in several patients with skin problems. Thus, their treatment goes a step further and works towards re-integrating the patient into normal life. So, you need not think twice when you visit the nearest skin clinic to seek homeopathy treatment for your skin problems.