Is coconut oil good for your hair? What to know about benefits of the fruit for selfcare

Among the countless wellness practices and beauty products promoted across social media, few are as prevalent as skincare. Skincare routines, preferred exfoliation methods, and go-to serums are popular topics of discussions among many social groups. But for some, concerns about dry skin, chronic conditions, and aging skin are anything but skin deep.

To make matters worse, such individuals often have to navigate a host of (sometimes misleading) advertising campaigns and cycle through a seemingly never-ending stream of pricey products in order to find one that might work for them. Fortunately, some of the best skincare products available haven't been cooked up in a lab and many natural remedies abound. With its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, coconut oil is one of the best natural skincare products available, and it can make a world of difference if applied the right way.

Coconut oil for your skin and what to know

Coconut oil is the oil pressed from fresh or dried (copra) coconut meat − the white part of the fruit. The plant-based fat is produced in both refined or unrefined versions. Unrefined coconut oil, also called virgin coconut oil, is pressed from coconut meat but undergoes no further processing. Refined coconut oil, on the other hand, goes through additional processing to become deodorized, neutralized and bleached until it appears to look like white, flaky butter.

The refined version of the product is better suited for cooking, but most dermatologists and experts recommend using the unrefined version for skincare − though it's worth nothing that both versions have enough fatty acids to be a good moisturizer. Though many of coconut oil's purported health benefits related to oral ingestion have minimal supportive research, topical coconut oil has been studied more extensively.

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Is coconut oil good for your skin?

Such research supports coconut oil being applied to one's skin to provide a variety of health benefits. These include reducing signs of aging skin and dark spots, soothing mild skin lesions and scratches, and supporting healing by boosting levels of antioxidants and collagen in one's body. "Studies also show coconut oil can help prevent moisture loss and provide protection from external factors such as chemicals and allergens," says Perri Halperin, MS, RD, clinical nutrition coordinator at Mount Sinai Health System.

Such benefits are worth noting because skin is the most extensive and diverse organ of the human body. One's skin condition is among the most important indications of good health. Research shows that any dermatology-related disorder can affect one's mental health as well and may lead to the progression of chronic skin diseases. Among such conditions are inflammatory ailments such as atopic dermatitis, or eczema - a chronic skin condition that "virgin coconut oil has been shown to help with," explains Jennifer Koman, RD, LDN, a dietitian at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.

Uma Naidoo, MD, director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and the author of “This is Your Brain on Food," also praises coconut oil's anti-inflammatory benefits and adds that the oil may also help other skin disorders "by lubricating and soothing the skin."

Koman says coconut oil also provides a protective barrier against environmental irritants and damaging microorganisms, but she cautions that coconut oil doesn't provide protection against sunlight as some people believe it does. "Coconut oil has an SPF of only 1 and will not protect you against UV rays," she explains. "Be sure to use sunscreen."

Is it OK to use coconut oil on your face?

While coconut oil can be hydrating and good for many skin types, it isn't for everyone. Some people's skin reacts negatively to it and anyone allergic to coconut oil should, of course, avoid the stuff. The experts recommend starting slow and applying only a small amount at first to see how one's body reacts to it before spreading it elsewhere.

And though some people apply it generously across their skin (and even in their hair), coconut oil is not water based, so it shouldn't be applied everywhere. For example, Tara Schmidt, lead registered dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, does not recommend applying coconut oil to one's face. "Be mindful to avoid use on the face or other places prone to acne," she advises, "as it is likely to clog pores."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is coconut oil good for your hair? Tips for using it on head, face