You probably spent a good part of your teen years struggling to banish the blemishes that spotted your face. You were most likely looking forward to leaving behind the acne curse, so it was no doubt unsettling to discover zits often follow well into adulthood. Acne isn’t as likely to occur on a regular basis, but it still happens frequently enough to adult skin that you need weapons in your acne-fighting arsenal. Skip the expensive store-bought blemish remedies and opt for an easier, healthier treatment for those annoying spots. Coconut oil is a great homemade acne treatment.
Benefits
Coconut oil is beneficial for your skin for many reasons. According to Organic Facts.com, the lauric and capric acids within coconut oil has antibacterial effects that are probably one of the main reasons it can do away with zits. Coconut oil can kill the bacteria that’s lurking in your pores, waiting to rise up in an acne revolution, before the blemishes can form. According to Bruce Fife, C.N. and N.D., and author of “The Coconut Oil Miracle”, it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin. The health properties of coconut oil can even help heal old acne scars.
Oral
Coconut oil doesn’t just benefit your acne-prone skin topically. Don’t overlook the health benefits of ingesting coconut oil to help reduce acne. You can eat the coconut oil straight out of the jar, provided it is organic and extra-virgin, or you can use it for cooking. Substitute it in place of shortening or other oils in your recipes. You can even make a yummy concoction of coconut oil and organic cocoa. How decadent: Eat chocolate to banish acne. Yum.
Straight Up
You can get down to basics by using coconut oil straight on your skin. Below room temperature, coconut oil is a solid and resembles shortening. At warmer temps, coconut oil is a liquid. If your coconut oil is solid when you start, melt it over low heat until it is liquid and warm, but definitely not hot. You don’t want to boil away the acne. Ouch.
Use
Smooth the oil onto your skin every morning after washing your face. Let it soak in for five to 15 minutes before rinsing with plain cool water. If your skin needs extra moisture, don’t rinse the coconut oil from your skin. Just let it soak in. You can also apply coconut oil to the skin on other parts of your body, using it as you would lotion or skin oil.
References
- “The Coconut Oil Miracle”; Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D., Pgs. 110, 118, 154, 171
[ http://books.google.com/books?id=tSGmnBeRpLkC&q;=acne#v=snippet&q;=acne&f;=false ] - Coconut Oil Cure: “Coconut Oil – As the Best Natural Acne Treatment – My Experience”; Helen Hecker, R.N.
[ http://www.coconutoilcure.com/Coconut_Oil_and_Acne_-_Coconut_Oil_is_the-_Best_Natural_Acne_Treatment.html ] - Organic Facts: Coconut Oil for Acne
[ http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/coconut-oil-for-acne.html ]
- Be Acne Free: Coconut Oil For Acne
[ http://www.beacnefree.com/coconut-oil-for-acne/ ] - Natural Health Strategies: How to Make Chocolate: The Recipe!
[ http://www.naturalhealthstrategies.com/how-to-make-chocolate.html ] - Instructables.com: Homemade Magic Shell Recipe
[ http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Magic-Shell-Recipe/ ]
