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What is coconut oil?
The coconut tree is glorious – all its parts can be used to make things, and the meat and milk are used to create coconut oil, which can be used in cooking, cosmetics, and to treat a variety of issues. The oil is created by sun-drying the flesh of the fruit and then pressing it. Coconut oil has a distinct coconut aroma, but is relatively colorless and highly viscous.
What is it best for?
Coconut oil can be used as a great base for many skincare products, but it has beneficial properties on its own. Coconut oil is an excellent hydrating ingredient when used topically, and it has been shown to reduce inflammation and redness. This makes coconut oil beneficial for those suffering from acne or eczema. It is readily absorbed by the skin, making it one of few oils that don’t feel, well...oily.
Coconut oil is also a great ingredient to protect your skin and hair from environmental elements, as it is an excellent source of antioxidants that protect the skin from damage from free radicals.
Coconut oil is also touted to smooth uneven skin and to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by improving the elasticity of skin, making it great for anti-aging skincare products.
What is the drawback?
Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores and lead to acne in people with oily skin. It can also cause blackheads, pimples, and whiteheads if left on the skin for too long.
If you’re not sure whether coconut oil is the right ingredient for your particular skin type and concerns, take our Skin Quiz!
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
Coconut oil may be effective for clogged pores, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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