Cool Down with Coconuts; & Their Amazing Skin Care Benefits

Coconuts often make us think of swaying palm trees, warm sandy beaches and vacations spent sipping nariyal pani in the scorching summers. They’re definitely a symbol of the quintessential tropical vacation. Closer to home, they hold a lot of significance in Indian culture and traditions. Coconuts are used widely in cooking, from making spicy curries to sweet desserts, and are a permanent fixture in kitchens across the country. They’re also used during festivities as a symbol of prosperity. 

Here’s a cool coconut fact you wouldn’t have heard before, every single part of the coconut can be utilized in some way. From the husky shell to the fleshy insides, no part of the coconut goes to waste. As Indians, we are familiar with using coconut oil for our scalp and skin as a cure-all for all hair and skin problems. But have you ever wondered what is it that makes coconuts so great as a skin care ingredient? Well, let’s find out with these amazing benefits of coconut oil for the skin.

7 Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Skin-

Coconut’s excellent hydrating and moisturizing properties is what it’s known for the best. One of the benefits of coconut water for our skin is that it hydrates and lifts the skin without adding excess oil. The presence of potassium in the oil helps balance fluid levels of the skin. It contains sugars and amino acids that imbibe your skin with their hydrating qualities, the high electrolyte content of coconut milk also helps soothe dry skin and itchy skin. 

You can reap the benefits of coconut oil by applying it directly to the skin. It forms a layer that acts as a shield against bacteria and germs. Moreover, the medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have been shown to have antimicrobial properties. This means they not only form a barrier between incoming bacteria and the skin, they can also assist in killing harmful microorganisms.

Admit it, we’re all suckers for anti-ageing benefits. Keeping pesky wrinkles and fine lines at bay and retaining our youthful appearance is a skin care goal for most of us. Coconut is thought to boost collagen production, which is the protein responsible for skin elasticity. It also has antioxidant benefits that can neutralize the effect of free radicals, giving you a beautiful, youthful glow.

The soothing effect of coconut oil on your face can help to reduce redness and inflammation. This makes it a great counter against skin disorders such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis and eczema. Take a few drops of it and apply lightly on your skin to see the benefits!

I think we can all agree that acne is the single most annoying skin concern we’ve ever had to deal with when it comes to skin care. It pops up at the worst possible times and refuses to go away easy. But that’s where coconut oil for your skin comes in. Since acne is an inflammatory condition, the coconuts' anti-inflammatory properties get to work on it and can help reduce the effects of acne. It also contains lauric acid, which has been shown to be effective against acne-causing bacteria.

Coconut oil not only benefits the skin on your body, but also your scalp. Especially for people who struggle with flaky scalps and dandruff, coconut oil is the answer to all your problems. It hydrates and replenishes the scalp, making your hair follicles stronger as well. Try a soothing coconut oil scalp massage twice a week to reap all the benefits of stronger roots and silky hair.

While taking advantage of the benefits of coconut oil and milk for your skin, you can also use it as a base ingredient in making body scrubs, face packs, hair masks and a lot more! It’s easy to get right at home and hassle-free, making skin care the most accessible it’s ever been. Even drinking coconut water once a day can fill you up with all these exciting skin care benefits. And who would say no to a delicious glass of naryal pani anyway?

“Woah, I need to get some coconut into my routine.”

…is what you’re probably thinking after reading all of that. Nope, we’re not mind-readers, we just happen to agree with you a 100%. Which is why we’ve got some excellent suggestions for you on how you can do just that. 

A carefully concocted coconut care checklist-

There are so many different ways that you can use the humble coconut oil in your skin care routine, it’s quite amazing. The benefits of this one, humble fruit can be stretched out and applied to almost every part of your day. So let’s get started at the very beginning:

Wake up and drink up:

The first thing you should drink in the morning should be a glass of fresh coconut water to benefit your skin. It is super rich in electrolytes, which will keep you hydrated on the inside and on the outside. It is also high in vitamin C content which is known to boost collagen production in skin. These factors, combined with the plentiful nutrients found in coconut water will keep your skin beautifully smooth, clear and radiant.

Soothing massages:

One of the benefits of coconut oil on your skin and face is that it acts as a natural moisturizer for dry skin. It will quickly soak into your skin and rejuvenate it from within. You can also take this one step further and use it as a massaging oil. All you need to do is-

1. Warm the oil slightly
2. Pour some in your hands
3. Start massaging your body using circular motions
4. Work your way upwards, starting from your feet
5. Wait 5-10 minutes when you’re done to let your skin absorb the oil
6. Once done, take a shower and rinse it off

The gentle massaging motion will increase blood circulation throughout your body, calm your nerves and relieve muscle pain. It will also nourish the tissues deeply, giving you smooth and even skin. Wondering which type of massage is the right fit for you? Read our blog on the different types of body massages and choose the best one for you. 

Some bath time care:

Now that you’ve lathered up your body with coconut oil, it’s time to lather down. A good body wash will help you get all the oil off without stripping your skin of moisture. Coconut happens to be one of the best shower gel ingredients to try for a cool summer. And to stay true to the coconut theme, we recommend Santoor Hydrating Skin Body Wash. It is enriched with virgin coconut oil for hydrated skin and Moringa extracts to give you that extra pampering. Use it along with a loofah to say hello to fresh and lively skin and goodbye to dryness!

Good old exfoliation: 

If you’re into homemade skin care remedies then coconut’s the fruit for you. We all know exfoliation is important, however, store-bought body scrubs can be expensive and aren’t always a pocket-friendly option. But don’t worry, the benefits of coconut oil on your skin will wipe away these concerns. It can be easily combined with sugar or coffee to make an aromatic, homespun body scrub.  

Here is the recipe for a coconut sugar body scrub with a hint of vanilla:

• Heat ½ cup of extracted coconut oil until it melts 
• Put it in a mixing bowl and add 1 cup of white sugar
• Mix the two well together
• Add 8 drops of vanilla essence or as per your preference
• Mix it all up till combined

And your quick and easy scrub is ready! Store in a jar for future use. 

A refreshing face pack:

• Take 2-3 tablespoons of coconut milk in a bowl 
• Add ½ a tablespoon of turmeric powder (haldi)
• Combine it together
• Mix in some rice flour till you have the perfect consistency
• Use a shower cap to keep your hair off your face
• Apply the pack on your face and neck!

So there you have it. This list of coconut-ty skin care should keep you busy for a few days! The results that you will see in your skin after adding coconut to your routine will be a testimony in itself to coconuts amazing skin care benefits. If you’re wondering how you can prepare coconut milk at home for use in these skin recipes then read on.

How to prepare coconut milk at home- 

Coconut milk has many uses even apart from cooking. It is great for the skin and hair and can be used as a base in many skin packs and facials. Preparing it at home is a quite hassle-free procedure. All you need is a coconut and a blender. Here’s how you can go about it:

• Get one mature coconut and break it open
• Carefully grate out the flesh from the coconut
• Heat some water close to boiling point
• Put the grated coconut in a blender
• Pour the hot water into the blender over the coconut
• Blend for at least 2-3 minutes
• Strain the mixture when done
• Your homemade coconut milk is ready!

You can use your homemade coconut oil for your skin as well as your hair. Don’t forget to wash off the coconut oil with a nourishing body wash along with a loofah. You can be assured that dry skin will no longer be a problem for you. Looking for more skin-friendly ingredients to add to your routine?

Read here: 5 Amazing benefits of charcoal and its impact on your skin.