Coconut oil is a common product in Asian countries, where it is used not only as a cooking ingredient but also as a beauty product. Often in Thailand, The Philippines, or other Asian countries where coconuts are popular, you can see women slathering pure coconut oil into their skin and on their hair, where it's miraculous soothing properties work wonders. Hair is thick and black and lustrous, while beautiful skin shines with health and softness, and rarely do you see cases of chronic acne.
There is some evidence to suggest that not only can coconut oil prevent spots, but that it can also treat skin problems. For a lot of people the idea of applying oil to their face when it is already greasy and problematic may not seem like a good idea. They might recoil at the idea of applying a slick and greasy substance, and instead believe that the road to treatment lies with cleaning the skin, cleansing it regularly, and stripping it of all the oil. However, the oil (or sebum) is there for a reason, and your skin naturally produces it to protect the upper-most layer and function correctly. Sebum not only helps to moisturize and lubricate your skin, but it also protects and heals it. Therefore oil is an essential component in healthy, clear skin.
Coconut
The great thing about coconut oil is that it is very similar in its chemistry to sebum, and if you chose a cold-pressed, virgin oil, it cannot harm your skin in any way. Numerous studies have shown that using coconut oil as a moisturizer creates no adverse reactions, but instead can restore damaged skin, prevent free radicals from forming, and can help to ease acne, liver spots, or other blemishes.
So rather than strip the skin with harsh chemicals and cleansers in an effort to achieve beautiful, radiant skin, try applying pure coconut oil, just before you go to bed. Here's how to do it:
Before bed, take a shower. Don't dry off completely, but leave the skin a little damp. Then take a small amount of the coconut oil in your hands - you don't need too much, as it goes a long way. A couple of full teaspoons of oil will cover your whole body.
Rub it into your palms to warm it up, then in slow gentle strokes, rub it into your skin.
Concentrate on any problematic areas, especially if you find patches of dry or rough skin or spots. Really try and work it into the skin, rather than just leaving it sitting on the surface, and overnight it will soak in and work its miracles.
While you might not see immediate results, with continued use, your skin is sure to look youthful, fresh and beautifully smooth.
Coconut Oil - A Miraculous Skin Treatment
Lucy Lee is a dietitian and skin-care specialist with an interest in naturopathy and non-invasive methods of healing. Visit her website at http://www.perfectlyclearskin.com for more advice and information on skin care, home remedies and cures for problematic skin or to download her free ebook.