Coconut oil has blasted onto the beauty scene and for many noteworthy reasons. It is versatile with uses ranging from cooking to hair care. Everyone seems to be eager to buy skin care products like lotion, shampoo, face wash, and lip balm containing coconut oil. While so many people may swear by their coconut oil and the amazing things it has done for their skin, there is a problem. If you have combination skin or are prone to breakouts, acne, or other skin problems then coconut oil is the LAST thing you want to use. Here’s why.
Coconut oil is a comedogenic oil. This means that is highly likely to clog pores. Comedogenic ratings are used for oils that access the likelihood of them clogging pores and causing breakouts. It was first developed in the late 70s by dermatologist Dr. Albert M Kligman. The scale rates oils from 0-5 with 0 meaning there is no likelihood of clogging pores and 5 meaning it is almost guaranteed to clog pores. Coconut oil is rated a 4.
Comedogenic Rating Scale
0 – Does not clog pores
1 – Slight chance
2 – Fine for the majority
3 – 50/50 chance of a breakout
4 – Majority will breakout
5 – Pretty much guaranteed to breakout
Many factors contribute to your personal likelihood of a breakout according to the scale but it is very important to use it as a reference. If you have never used coconut oil before then, with a rating of 4, you should test out an area to see how you react.
I can speak from personal experience as my first time using coconut oil I slathered it on my entire face for several days. Until my entire forehead was completely broken out with raised bumps from clogged pores. It took months to heal and to this day my forehead clogs very easily. The same is true for when I use coconut oil on my body. I tried it for a few days and I broke out in several places. I never consulted the comedogenic rating scale. I just hopped onto the trend train of using coconut oil like it was the answer to all of life’s problems.
The best advice is to choose an oil that is rated at 2 or below. It will provide all of the outstanding benefits of oil for the skin without having to deal with clogged pores or breakouts. There is a huge array of oils that are fantastic for the skin including more exotic/ lesser-known oils.
Exotic oils
Pomegranate oil (Rated 1)
Kiwi seed oil (Rated 1)
Chardonnay grape seed oil (Rated 1-2)
Black raspberry seed oil (Rated 1-2)
Cherry Kernel oil (Rated 2)
Some other great alternatives include:
Hemp seed oil (Rated 0)
Argan oil (Rated 0)
Shea butter (Rated 0-2)
Walnut oil (Rated 1)
Sea buckthorn oil (Rated 1)
Grapeseed oil (Rated 2)
Rice bran oil (Rated 2)
Olive oil (Rated 2)
Mango butter (Rated 2)
Jojoba oil (Rated 2)
Tamanu oil (Rated 2)
Learn more about these oils HERE.
So what exactly are the benefits of coconut oil?
Rapid Energy
There are three main types of fat, long-chain triglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides, and short-chain triglycerides. The most common are long-chain found in avocado, meats, nuts, fish, and olive oil. Medium-chain fats, like coconut, are metabolized by the body much faster. They are sent straight to the liver and used as a priority source of energy.
Heart Health
The saturated fats in coconut oil increase HDL ( good cholesterol ) which keeps the heart-healthy. HDL regulates the bloodstream and removes bad cholesterol reducing the risk of heart disease.
Antimicrobial
Coconut oil has also been found to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi within the body. It contains lauric and capric acid which disrupts viral, bacterial and fungal membranes. This disruption leads to the death of these harmful cells. Also, by warding off bad bacteria, coconut oil helps maintain a healthy gut and digestive system.
Regulates Blood Sugar
Coconut oil regulates blood sugar by raising the metabolic rate and reducing cravings for high carbohydrate foods. It has also been shown to help Type 1 Diabetics with insulin absorption.
The best type of coconut oil to buy is organic, cold-processed, unrefined. This will ensure the maximum amount of nutrients and health benefits.
Confidently add coconut oil to your life
Just because coconut oil isn’t the best thing to slather on your skin doesn’t mean you can’t reap some of its amazing health benefits. Some great ways to incorporate coconut oil into your life include cooking, eating, as a hair treatment, for oral care and oil pulling.
Cooking/ Eating
It can be used just like most other oils. However, be sure to only use coconut oil when cooking at low or medium temperatures. High heat can burn the oil and cause it to go rancid.
Feel free to enjoy the amazing coconut treats readily available. Things like raw coconut, coconut milk, ice cream, spreads, cookies, and other desserts.
The healthy saturated fats in coconut oil help regulate blood pressure and offer rapid sources of energy for the body. The MTC’s (Medium Chain Triglycerides) in coconut oil generate a higher calorie burn throughout the day and burn an extra 120 calories.
Hair Care
Coconut oil has been shown to block UV rays from the sun by up to 20%. This makes it ideal for hair usage to prevent breakage and dryness. Many cultures, including India, regularly use it in the hair for this reason. It also hydrates the hair follicle and seals in moisture.
Try using it as a hair mask, leave-in conditioner or to slick back your locks. Experiment with amounts since it can easily make your hair look greasy and unclean.
Oral Care
Oil pulling is the practice of taking a spoonful of coconut oil in the mouth and swishing it around for 10-20 minutes every morning. It has been shown to reduce plaque, bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and gingivitis. This is because of the lauric acid naturally found in coconut oil reducing gingivitis by over 65% in 30 days.
Toothpaste made with coconut oil also has many of the benefits of oil pulling. There are many simple homemade recipes available including this one:
Ingredients:
0.5 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons baking soda
10-20 drops of essential oils ( peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, tea tree)
Directions:
Slowly heat the coconut oil until it is melted
Remove from heat and add baking soda
Stir evenly before adding the essential oil
Store in an airtight container and keep at room temperature
Brush daily as usual for 2 minutes
Rinse mouth after brushing
