Benefits of Coconut oil for healthy skin

Coconut oil is a highly saturated oil that is used in cooking or applied directly to the skin and hair.

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which are a form of saturated fats. These medium-chain fatty acids make up about 65% of its total composition.

Fatty acids found in coconut oil:
Lauric acid: 49%. Myristic acid: 18%. Caprylic acid: 8%. Palmitic acid: 8%. Capric acid: 7%. Oleic acid: 6%. Linoleic acid: 2%. Stearic Acid: 2%.

Although coconut oil is about 90% saturated fat, it also contains small amounts of monounsaturated fats (Mono) and polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs). In about one tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 12 grams of saturated fat and 1 gram of unsaturated fat.

Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats. Several experiments have shown monounsaturated fats to have positive health effects, including weight loss, reduced risk of heart disease, and reduced inflammation.

Polyunsaturated fats are considered healthy fats - if it be control to make sure of using amounts, as they can reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood cholesterol. The two main types of polyunsaturated fats are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Both are essential fatty acids that the body needs to maintain brain function and cell growth. However, the body is not able to make essential fatty acids, so people need to get them through their diet.

The benefits of using coconut oil for skin are diverse, including:

√ Promotes wound healing

√ Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties

√ Reduces inflammation, possibly caused by UVB rays

√ Moisturizes dry skin, even in those with conditions like eczema

One study found that coconut oil can help prevent and treat atopic dermatitis. Another study found that coconut oil extract could improve the skin's barrier function and reduce inflammation caused by UVB rays.

Studies on coconut oil have also demonstrated coconut oil to have antibacterial properties, even when people use it on their skin. Cell studies also indicate antifungal and antiviral properties.

Scientists believe that coconut oil also helps strengthen the skin barrier of low birth weight infants, which can help protect them from health complications.

Scientists have yet to pinpoint exactly why coconut oil is so beneficial for the skin, but the polyphenols and fatty acids in it may contribute to its beneficial effects. It also contains antioxidants, topical application

Research into the benefits of using coconut oil for skin is ongoing, but currently there are few known risks.

Coconut oil moisturizes dry skin
Coconut oil is an effective moisturizer and aids in the treatment of dry skin and eczema.

One study in patients with mild to moderate dry skin compared the effects of coconut oil with mineral oil, a type of oil made from petroleum that’s often used to treat dry skin. This two-week study found that coconut oil significantly improved skin hydration and was as effective as mineral oil.

It has also been shown to help treat eczema, a skin condition characterized by a scaly and itchy rash. One study comparing the effects of olive oil and coconut oil in 52 adults with eczema found that applying coconut oil helped relieve dry skin, in addition to helping treat eczema.

Another study had similar results, showing that coconut oil reduced eczema severity by 68%, making it significantly more effective than mineral oil in treating eczema.

Keeping your skin hydrated can help maintain its function as a barrier against bacteria, promote scar healing and maintain skin integrity.

Coconut oil can reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a major component of many different types of skin disorders, including psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and eczema.

Interestingly, coconut oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Animal studies have shown that coconut oil can reduce inflammation by improving antioxidant status and reducing oxidative stress. In one study, researchers applied virgin coconut oil to the inflamed ears of rats. Not only has coconut oil been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, but it also helps relieve pain.

Furthermore, coconut oil can calm inflammation by improving antioxidant status. Antioxidants work by stabilizing free radicals in the body, neutralizing reactive atoms that can contribute to inflammation.

A 2013 animal study fed rats different oils, including coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. At the end of the 45-day study, virgin coconut oil improved antioxidant status and prevented oxidative stress to the greatest extent.

It's important to note that most current research is limited to animal and test-tube studies, so it's hard to know how these results might translate to humans.

However, based on these studies, coconut oil shows great potential for its ability to reduce inflammation when applied or applied to the skin.

Coconut oil helps heal wounds
Several studies have demonstrated that coconut oil can also aid in wound healing.

One animal study looked at the effects of applying coconut oil on the skin on wound healing in rats. Research has found that treating wounds with virgin coconut oil accelerates healing, improves antioxidant status, and increases levels of collagen, an important protein that aids in wound healing.

Another animal study found that coconut oil combined with a topical antibiotic helped heal burn wounds.

In addition to improving wound healing, its antibacterial properties can also prevent infection, one of the main risk factors that can complicate the healing process.

Coconut oil can kill harmful bacteria
The fatty acids found in coconut oil have very effective antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria and fungi.

This is especially important for skin health, as many types of skin infections, including acne, cellulitis, folliculitis, and tinea pedis, are caused by bacteria or fungi.

Applying coconut oil directly to the skin can prevent the growth of these microorganisms. This means, due to the lauric acid content of coconut oil, which makes up almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil and can fight harmful microorganisms.

One study tested the antibacterial properties of 30 fatty acids against 20 different strains of bacteria. Lauric acid is believed to be most effective at preventing bacterial growth.

Another test-tube study found that lauric acid could kill Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, a bacteria that leads to the development of inflammatory acne.

Furthermore, capric acid is another medium-chain fatty acid found in coconut oil, albeit to a lesser extent. Like lauric acid, capric acid has been shown to have strong antibacterial properties.

One test-tube study found that both lauric acid and capric acid effectively killed strains of bacteria. Another test-tube study demonstrated the antifungal effects of capric acid, showing that it can inhibit the growth of certain fungi.

Types of Coconut Oil
There are different types of coconut oil, and they are classified according to the manufacturing process. Of which there are two main types:

√ Refined coconut oil is made from desiccated coconut.
√ Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh coconut and it is richer in antioxidants and polyphenols.

Refined coconut oil can go through more processing steps, including machine pressing to obtain the oil. Some manufacturers may use chemical solvents, deodorants, and bleaches.

The type of coconut oil depends on the extraction technique. When manufacturers obtain the oil without using heat, they call it cold pressed coconut oil. This variety can be richer in nutrients. In general, the least processed coconut oils, such as cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, are healthier options.

While refined coconut oil may be more suitable for high-heat cooking, virgin coconut oil is a better choice in terms of skin health. Most of the research available has not only focused specifically on the effects of virgin coconut oil, but also evidence that it may have additional health benefits.

A 2009 animal study found that virgin coconut oil improved antioxidant status and increased its ability to neutralize disease-causing free radicals compared with refined coconut oil.

Another test-tube study found that virgin coconut oil had a greater amount of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, as well as improved resistance to free radicals, than refined coconut oil.

The results of these two studies indicate that virgin coconut oil may be more effective than refined coconut oil at preventing oxidation and neutralizing free radicals, which can damage cells and lead to inflammation and disease.

How to use
Coconut oil may have many potential benefits for the skin. Research suggests that it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Coconut oil is also very moisturizing for dry skin.

A person can apply coconut oil directly to the skin. However, it is important to note that coconut oil cannot treat medical conditions. A person should speak to their doctor before considering the use of coconut oil as a home remedy.

Compiled and penned by Crocus Media