Coconut oil is an effective moisturizer for skin and hair. Using a small amount, gently massage directly into skin. For dry or frizzy hair, apply a small amount to the hair shaft and leave in for desired time (a few minutes to overnight), and then wash out.

Since it is not subjected to heat (or even if it is a very low heat), or sunlight, and is extracted from fresh (non-dried) coconuts with a different process of extraction, VCO may certainly be richer in benefits than ordinary coconut oil. It may be higher in antioxidants (which are nil or negligible in ordinary coconut oil), taste, and fragrance than the refined version. [6] Narayan V. (2020). Holistic Skin Care and Selection of Skin Care Products in Acne. https://www.yumedtext.com/files/publish/published-pdf--6-ACED-e101.pdf Coconut oil has become increasingly popular over the last few years, both as an ingredient for cooking and baking as well as a natural beauty product. Speedy hand and nail scrub. For healthy nails, mix coconut oil and sugar, and massage into your hands and nails. Rinse off with warm water. The best coconut oil for cooking: the unrefined, virgin coconut oil you would use on your hair and skin is also great for baking and sautéing, but not for frying as it has a smoke point of 170C. If you want to get frying, opt for refined coconut oil as it has a higher smoke point of 204C.Just to add to its skin-loving properties, coconut oil is also great for enriching dry skin with much-needed moisture. This tropical oil helps to moisturise dry skin by keeping it hydrated and helping the skin barrier.

Please note: like with every food, especially calorie-dense fats, coconut oil can add some serious calories to your meal. Don’t just slather it onto everything, treat it like you would any other oil e.g. olive oil, especially if you’re trying to be healthy. Coconut oil for keto diets Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids.A study about fatty acids and how antimicrobial they are concluded that lauric acid was the most effective. 4 And coconut oil is full of the stuff! In fact, lauric acid makes up almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. It can also be used as a facial moisturiser. However it does not work as effectively if your skin is naturally very oily. 3So now you know all the ways you can use coconut oil and the benefits it may possess, you probably want to know which coconut oil is best. Instantly shiny nails. Want unpainted, natural nails to look more polished when you’re heading out? Simply dab a little coconut oil onto your nails before you go. VCO might have a very good taste and smell since it is derived from fresh coconuts and is subjected to very low heat and sunlight. It is also not refined. This may preserve all the natural goodness of this oil, including its high content of vitamin E and minerals. These nutrients are otherwise robbed from the ordinary coconut oil during processes like heating, filtration, refining, and bleaching, which are done to make it colorless and odorless. Furthermore, it is very effective as a moisturizing agent. Its antioxidant properties are far better than those of normal coconut oil. Benefits ofVirgin Coconut Oil Dry scalps can be irritating and are one of the main causes of dandruff – and coconut oil may help. Moisturising your scalp with a little coconut oil may help you say goodbye to dry and flaky skin. Be careful though, it won’t work for everyone and may just end up making your hair greasy, so do a little patch test first. May help to promote hair growth

Fungal nail infections are usually caused by the athlete’s foot fungi spreading to the nails, but they can also sometimes be caused by yeasts, like candida. 5 Organic coconut oil is therefore grown and processed without these. It is also not genetically modified. 12 Coconut oil products The typical preparation, containing exclusively coconut oil, may cause occlusion of follicles, resulting in plugging of follicles,” she said. Areas of occlusion and friction, such as the thighs, are especially prone. In recent years, the popularity of coconut and particularly coconut oil has soared because of touted health benefits. Fueling the coconut oil trend, celebrity endorsements have claimed the ingredient to help blast away belly fat, curb appetite, strengthen the immune system, prevent heart disease, and stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A survey found that 72% of Americans rated coconut oil as “healthy,” though only 37% of nutrition experts agreed. [1] Coconut oil is popular in several trending diets including ketogenic and Paleo diets. Then there’s linoleic acid, which is another one of the acids present in coconut oil. But unlike lauric acid, Patel says this acid works to prevent moisture loss.For instance, some evidence shows that consuming MCTs may increase the number of calories your body burns. In doing so, it may help promote weight loss ( 2, 3). Yes, according to Merdzhanov, you can use coconut oil when frying; however, there are better oil options out there because the smoking point of unrefined coconut oil is only about 350°F (or 400°F for refined). "This makes it less suitable for cooking," he says. According to Merdzhanov, refined coconut oil has a higher smoking point, shorter shelf life, and less potent smell. Of the two, it may be considered the "less healthy" option. Unrefined coconut oil would be considered "more natural," says Merdzhanov, because it hasn’t undergone the bleaching/deodorizing process. Virgin coconut oil might be extracted from coconut meat obtained from fresh coconuts. It may be done using natural methods like dry processing, fermentation, churning (centrifugal separation), cold compression, and wet-milling; so, no bleaching or deodorizing takes place. This is why this might be the most unrefined or pure version of coconut oil, giving it a more pronounced coconut flavor. [2]

For a very simple exfoliating body scrub, combine a tablespoon of coconut oil with a tablespoon of ground coffee. When it comes to the which-is-healthier question, there’s really no clear winner between coconut oil and butter. “Research shows that there’s little difference between coconut oil and other saturated fats like butter and palm oil,” notes Zumpano. But don’t be fooled by the name: All the goodness and benefits touted in coconut products don’t just magically transfer over to coconut oil. Protect with a pre-wash. As coconut oil can penetrate hair follicles and protect your hair from the inside out, it can stop your hair from soaking up too much water when you wash it. Damaged hair is much more porous than healthy hair and when hair absorbs water and increases in size, it can become damaged and break. 14 Try applying some coconut oil through the midsection and ends of your hair about 30 minutes before you wash with shampoo and conditioner as normal.

You can use virgin coconut oil for cooking, in salads and also in smoothies and shakes. Many ayurvedic experts also recommend eating raw virgin coconut oil for medicinal purposes. 4. How do you use virgin coconut oil for weight loss? Coconut oil is safe to use for most people. Still, those with nut allergies should use caution. Always do a patch test before you try a new ingredient on your skin. A popular way to give your body a morning boost of ketones is to make a ‘ Bulletproof Coffee’. Also known as Keto Coffee, Bulletproof Coffee is a high-calorie, no-carb drink designed to replace breakfast. It is claimed to fuel your morning, keep your body in ketosis and help you feel alert and focused. One of the most commonly known oils is extra-virgin olive oil, which is rich in skin-boosting antioxidants . While MCTs may increase how many calories you burn, keep in mind that coconut oil is very high in calories and can easily lead to weight gain if you consume it in large amounts. Summary