I have received numerous questions and concerns regarding coconut oil for skincare. I think it is a great option for most skin types. Sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate the acidity while some may be able to because of its immediate pure hydration factor that acts as a buffer for the skin and the acidity content. Too much acid may thin and further sensitize the skin. Since all skin types are different, I recommend giving it a simple try and seeing if your skin likes it and can tolerate it. Coconut oil has many uses in any given week for my skincare routine. And I will share those uses with you.

If you want younger looking skin, it needs to appear soft. If your skin is dry, impacted (dried out with enlarged pores), hardened and tough looking, this is the opposite of soft looking. I will immediately recommend trying a more natural hydration approach to your skincare routine if you are not already applying natural ingredients.

Proper hydration followed by proper exfoliation for your skin type will eventually get your skin to appear softer. Please remember typical exfoliation to the masses is considered scrubbing. I recommend enzymes for all skin types instead. This consists of a digestion process followed by sedation to let the skin rest and begin new cellular regeneration, or turnover. As opposed to continued stimulation for those built up skin cells by a vigorous scrubbing motion.

Proper hydration can begin with one or two ingredients. Let’s start with the coconut craze. So many questions have come up about coconut oil. My recommendation is to buy it and see if you like it. I like the results it offers very much and so do several of my clients. I do not care for the buttery smell lingering for 45 minutes on my face but I do like the hydrating effects it offers. Here is one application technique. Once applied I will take a cool, wet damp wash cloth and pat my face. I then allow it to hang out. It takes several minutes to dry but gives a nice hydrated appearance. It takes away some of the scent and greasiness if it is patted down but still leaves an emollient layer on the surface of the skin.

I do find that other natural oils such as grape seed and sunflower seed oil seem to hide fine lines caused by dehydration a bit longer than coconut oil. But I still consider this a great hydrator choice and easy to incorporate into a regimen for most skin types.

Most coconut oils are loaded with 30-60% Vitamin C. This is fantastic for skin brightening and potential collagen reformation. We can all use more collagen rebuilding because it naturally depletes within our bodies beginning for most of us, within our 30’s and possibly earlier. Not only does collagen help keep fine lines and deep wrinkles away, it comprises our skin’s foundation and we only get one of those. Why not take care of it the best we can? I consider natural hydrator ingredients to be a wonderful choice and I do recommend coconut oil to be included in a skincare regimen if someone is interested in trying it out.

Extremely sensitized skin and reddened skin may become more sensitized from the acidity of the product. Since it is impossible for one ingredient to work miracles for every person’s skin, give it a try and see if you like it. Perhaps try it on a night you have no big event in the instance your skin does not favor it.

Potential uses that have worked for my skin, my face particularly:

Cleanser (then remove)

Leave on Cleanser (do not remove and it cleanses and hydrates)

Hydrator (my term for moisturizer, since I do not use ingredients that the commercialized skincare industry uses in to make my products)

Lip balm –

Eye makeup remover

If your product is gritty, especially unrefined products, simply rub in your fingertips prior to applying to your skin. Or keep blending into the skin and it should eventually melt and absorb into the skin.

If you have tried or continually use coconut oil in your skincare routine, please comment on your experience here! I give it two thumbs up and recommend it for most skin types.