Get Rid of Dry Skin-Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil skin benefits
There are multiple benefits for virgin coconut oil (VCO) and one of them is to treat dry skin. Virgin coconut oil is an excellent and effective moisturizer for all types of skin, particularly severe dry skin. When applied topically, it not only softens the skin but also protects it against damage, promotes healing, and gives it a more youthful, healthy appearance.
Coconut oil brings relief to dry skin, and also aids in healing and repairing.
Natural germ fighter!
Coconut oil is the main source of LAURIC ACID!
Virgin coconut oil is a natural moisturizer, loaded with primarily medium chain fatty acids (the good fats!) that consist of about 50% Lauric Acid. When it is present in the body, it is converted into Monolaurin, which exhibits antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. This protects against bacteria and viruses, and improves condition of your skin. Coconut oil also contains vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron.
Breast milk is the other #1 source of lauric acid, which protects newborn babies from infection and diseases.
How to read a label for skin care products
Pay attention to the first 1/3 ingredients listed
Skin care manufacturers are required to list their ingredients from the highest to the lowest concentration. That means the ingredients that are listed first has the largest concentration, followed by the second ingredient listed and so on. The exception is the list of drugs, which is listed prior to other ingredients regardless of their concentration.
“As a rule of thumb, most labels can be broken down into 3 parts. The first third usually constitutes 90-95% of the product; the second third accounts for 5-8%, and the last part makes up 1-3% of the formulation.” Source: www.thenaturalchemist.com
For example, if the preservative is listed higher on the label, it might not be effective in delivering the results you want. Also avoid any ingredient that you can’t spell or pronounce; chances are it is not effective and may be harmful to your body.
Click here for a list of harmful ingredients.
Why are commercial lotions and cream less effective?
Commercial lotion does help soothe dry skin, but only temporarily. To combat dry skin effectively, you need to solve the underlying problem, not just fix it temporarily!
Most commercial creams and lotion are predominantly water and refined vegetable oil, which has been stripped of its antioxidants. We need these antioxidants to fight off free radicals that cause damage to our connective tissue, in other words CANCER! These lotions may bring temporary relief but ultimately accelerates aging of skin and causes skin cancer. As water enters the skin, it expands the tissues, filling it up which makes your skin look smoother and less wrinkled. As you know water evaporates, so as soon as it is gone, your skin will look wrinkled again. That is why you cannot CURE wrinkled skin permanently by using commercial lotion or cream.
Virgin coconut oil, on the other hand, is useful in fighting free radical, providing protection to them and increases the appearance of youthful skin. VCO is “unrefined”, an important word to memorize and understand, as it means that it hasn’t been stripped of any of its natural components through their refining process. Unlike mineral oils, there are no side effects associated with application of VCO.
Because your skin is the largest organ in your body, it also has the ability to absorb whatever you put on it. The small molecular structure of coconut oil is small enough so it can penetrate through your skin. That means it can penetrate deeper into the layers of skin and strengthen the tissues underneath. It will aid in removing the outer layer of your dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The result is a smoother texture, and healthier even layer of skin.
What causes dry skin?
Your skin becomes dry when it loses natural skin oils and water.
Did you know that when you wash your face with commercial cleansers, it washes the protective layer of oil and acid off? That causes dryness and tightness. Adding regular moisturizers can temporarily relieve the dryness, but it does not replace the acid or the protective medium fatty acid chains. This can also make your skin vulnerable to infections.
Virgin coconut oil will help rebuild the skins natural antimicrobial and acid barrier.
How to use coconut oil to alleviate dry skin:
1. Drink 2-3 tablespoons of VCO daily.
2. Use VCO lotion or cream during the day.
3. Rub the raw form of VCO on your skin at night.
The texture of the oil is not greasy like olive oil, and absorbs easily into the skin. You can feel an immediate difference as it soothes and moisturizes your skin. However, some people may say that it is still slightly greasy if you apply the pure raw form of VCO. I use the pure form at night and use the lotion in the daytime.
To reap the full benefits of coconut oil, choose a high quality source: organic, virgin
Where to buy coconut oil
There are companies out there that produce moisturizers using coconut oil as the base ingredient. However, some of the products include other unnecessary ingredients that may be toxic to your health. Always pay attention to the ingredient list when trying out a new product. Make sure that coconut oil is listed as the major ingredient.
I have been buying my coconut oil, lotion, and hand cream from Tropical Traditions for years!
Tropical Traditions is an excellent and reputable company that was started in the Philippines by a couple who are passionate about sharing this miracle oil with everyone. The company provides coconut oil that is not mass produced, instead are hand-picked within 24 hours of harvest. Their coconuts are certified organic, according to strict USDA standards. (By the way, there is no official classification between the terms Virgin and Extra virgin.) Their VCO is a very high quality coconut oil, with high levels of antioxidant.Their lotion is unbelievably natural and soothing, as it includes a few other natural ingredients, one of which is Virgin Palm Oil. Virgin Palm oil is another miracle oil for dry skin, containing vitamin E and carotene (much more than carrots and tomatoes combined). Learn more about palm oil and its amazing anti-aging properties here.
I like their lotions and creams because they are 100% pure and contain NO ALCOHOL, NO ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCES, and NO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. The first two ingredients are purified water and organic coconut oil. Learn more about virgin coconut oil at Tropical Traditions.
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