Benefits of Applying Coconut Oil on Face Overnight | How to
Are you still using coconut oil?
You are?
Great...
Then you must read the benefits of applying coconut oil on face overnight.
In recent years, the Western coconut oil invasion more than made up for centuries of near-anonymity. We went from buying none to spending 163 million dollars on it in 2017 alone.
However, that figure actually reflects a decrease in coconut oil sales. The words “saturated fat” scare off a lot of people. And honestly, all hype dies down.
That said, coconut oil for beauty probably isn’t going anywhere. Millions of us wouldn’t be without it for hair, skin, and oil pulling.
Today, we’re talking about coconut oil for skin.
Specifically, the benefits of applying coconut oil on face overnight. Can you lie down with a plant-based fat on your face, and wake up to smoother, glowing, perfect skin?
You must read on to find out.
Is Coconut Oil Still Healthy?
First, the elephant in the room.
Are we still in love with coconut oil?
If you still couldn’t imagine your life without coconut oil, you’re not alone. After all, it carries some pretty unique benefits. Namely, the lauric acid content. Coconut oil is made up of at least 50% lauric acid, one of the highest amounts you’ll find in nature.
Here are some quick facts on lauric acid:
- It’s a medium-chain fatty acid
- Also called MCTs (medium chain triglycerides), these can give us extra energy
- Our bodies convert lauric acid to monolaurin
- Monolaurin is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral
- Monolaurin is also found in human breast milk
- It’s cholesterol free
- It might help you lose belly fat
-
It’s white when solid, and melts down to a clear liquid when above 76 degrees Fahrenheit
- It might be good for brain health
- It may improve metabolism
- It can help you feel satisfied longer
However, the American Heart Association doesn’t think all of this adds up to health. Due to its high saturated fat content, their official ruling is that coconut oil is bad for your heart. And the ensuing headlines have been pretty discouraging, too.
With all of that said, please remember that the American Heart Association used to push margarine. And you can still find their heart-healthy certification on boxes of sugary, processed foods.
The bottom line? A lot of sources of nutritional information do not like fat. The truth is, you can buy a jar of coconut oil, eat it on moderation, and be perfectly healthy.
Or instead, you can skip consuming it altogether, and put the oil on your face.
The New Sleeping Mask
I’ll always love a tablespoon of coconut oil in my smoothie, but these days, it’s my favorite sleeping mask.
Sleeping mask? I admit, I didn’t get it when I first heard the term applied to skincare. I thought everyone was referring to those eye masks - click for price that cancel out light.
The truth is, today’s sleeping mask (or sleeping pack, if you prefer) is something quite different. Like all of the best new fads in skincare, its roots are in Asian beauty routines.
So what is it? It’s the final step in your skincare routine.
Typically, a sleeping mask an intensely moisturizing occlusive. It seals in all of your other actives and serums. Unlike other masks, you don’t wash it off; you sleep in it overnight. Think of it as a night cream, amplified.
Some of the benefits we can get from sleeping masks or packs are:
- Superior hydration
- Reduced inflammation
- More evenly-toned skin
- Temporary smoothing out of fine lines
- A fresher, rosier appearance
- Appearance of spots and dark marks reduced
- A bouncier, tauter appearance
Of course, there are now a ton of products at market that cover all or just some of the above. Some are best for oily skin, some for the rough and dry. Some have a gel-like texture, while others are thick balms.
But that’s not all you’ll notice when you look at these products.
For example, I found preservatives.
Then, I found fragrance.
Really, just a whole jar of potential irritants.
Still, finishing off your skincare routine with a potent, hydrating balm is a genius idea. That’s where coconut oil comes in.
The Benefits of Applying Coconut Oil on Face Overnight
When applying coconut oil to your face, just a dab will do. It’s always helpful to begin with a semi-solid product, warm it up in your hands, and massage into your face. If your skin easily absorbs this amount, you can apply another thin layer.
Why? Here are some of the best benefits of applying coconut oil on face overnight.
1. It’s nontoxic and tolerable for most.
When you compare it to creams full of synthetic ingredients, the risk of having a reaction to coconut oil is low. Virgin, unrefined coconut oil - click for price is nontoxic, safe to ingest, and carries a low risk of irritation.
That said, there are those who are allergic to coconuts, and as a result, coconut oil. Therefore, if you’ve never tried it before, do a patch test on your inner arm. And remember - the quality of your oil can make a huge difference.
2. It’s an effective moisturizer.
If you suffer from very dry skin, you might find that a lot of creams don’t do much. In part, this is because their ingredients can actually dry skin out. Yes, even if it says “moisturizing” all over the packaging.
Common culprits that can irritate dry skin include fragrance, denatured alcohol, and sodium lauryl sulfate. On the other hand, coconut oil has antioxidants common to plant oils. These help shed dead layers while penetrating deeper layers for lasting hydration.
Scientifically, tests show it’s at least as effective as mineral oil (the main ingredient in so much baby oil). Incidentally, mineral oil can lead to water loss; it only feels moisturizing for a limited amount of time. The same can’t be said for coconut oil.
3. It may treat certain skin conditions.
Some people with psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea feel they’ve found a cure with coconut oil. Indeed, coconut oil may be better than other creams when it comes to skin suffering rashes and inflammation.
The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends it for help with itchiness.
While many people find that it’s their best bet for relieving itching and inflammation, your mileage may vary. Some with extremely sensitive skin might not react well to coconut oil’s natural salicylates.
Finally, there are plenty of people who find that coconut oil does well at healing acne breakouts. But when it comes to coconut oil for face acne, there’s more to the story. We’ll get there in a minute.
4. It’s an excellent makeup remover.
Maybe the words “skincare routine” aren’t even in your vocabulary. Hey, I’ve been there. Long days, ridiculous schedules, and children. It’s a wonder we even get to feed ourselves properly, let alone take extra special care of our skin.
However, clean skin is healthier, better-looking skin. When you don’t cleanse it properly, layers of buildup create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This can lead to breakouts, dullness, and overall underwhelming complexion.
If you have time for one step, make it cleansing. Use a cotton pad soaked in coconut oil to break up hardened dirt and oil. Massage it well into all areas of the face, rinse, and hit the pillow.
If you find that the oil cleansing method works well for you, you might not even do a full rinse. Any excess oil left behind after you wipe the dirt and gunk away? Just call it a sleeping mask!
5. It can help prevent premature aging.
You’ll recognize one of coconut oil’s antioxidants - vitamin E. On top of treating fine lines and wrinkles, vitamin E is great for preventing free radical and UV damage. In fact, it’s what gives coconut oil its natural SPF rating of 4.
Now, that’s not enough to protect you from sun damage on even the cloudiest day. But it is protection that matters in our increasingly polluted environment.
All told, having a thin layer of oil on your face can protect many nasties from crossing the barrier. Your face is, to a degree, armed against dust, pollen, and free radicals. There are even plenty of these in your bedroom, where you sleep.
In addition to skin-improving appliances like air purifiers and humidifiers, coconut oil creates a protective, nourishing environment for skin.
And if you do happen to ever get a sunburn, coconut oil can help mitigate some that damage. Not to mention, relieve the pain.
Coconut Oil and Acne
Tell me if this sounds familiar:
“Since coconut oil is antibacterial, it kills acne bacteria and clears your skin.”
This sounds credible enough. In fact, one study suggests that it might work better than benzoyl peroxide for some people. Furthermore, the presence of capric acids in coconut oil may have some bacteria-busting, anti-inflammatory benefits as well.
Still, some people get the worst breakouts of their lives when using coconut oil for acne prone skin. What gives?
It all comes down to your skin type. Coconut oil, while great for many skin types, is a comedogenic oil. This means it can clog pores, which is particularly bad news when you have oily skin.
Because you’re already producing a lot of sebum, the addition of a serious oil like coconut can make matters worse. In general, applying the oil when you have any kind of dirt or dead skin on your face can increase your chances of clogging and breakouts.
Why it clears some faces and makes others erupt is a bit of a mystery. However, if you have both oily skin and large pores, it might not be a great idea to use coconut oil.
Coconut Oil Sleeping Mask Alternatives
Are you afraid coconut oil will make you break out? Allergic to coconuts? No matter your skin type, you need moisture. That’s the number one rule of skincare:
Do not deprive oily skin of moisture.
This is where other oils can really come in handy. Especially if you don’t like wearing too much moisturizer during the day.
In the end, you might even find what many others have. Using a non-comedogenic oil on your face actually helps you produce less oil. Here are a few good ones to try if you have acne-prone skin - even if you’re not that oily.In conclusion about...
Benefits of Applying Coconut Oil on Face Overnight
When you wake up, what do you think of your skin? Are you dealing with redness, dehydration, and a general lack of elasticity? If so, it’s time to start sleeping with a layer of rich, antioxidant-containing moisture on your face.
Instead of buying irritating products with ingredients you can’t pronounce, you can try coconut oil.
Its benefits for skin include:
- Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties
- Cleaner skin
- Low to no irritation
- Antioxidant protection for aging skin
- Excellent hydration
If you’re acne prone, coconut oil might not be right for you. While some swear it clears their skin, it’s highly comedogenic. In these cases, jojoba, rosehip seed, and tamanu oil are better choices.
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this. Have you discovered any benefits of applying coconut oil on face overnight? If not, what oils work best for your skin? Be sure to share with everyone in the comments!
