Coconut Butter for Skin Care

[jamesey]

Hi,

Has or does anyone here use Coconut Butter on their face? I'm tempted to give it a go, but I tried about 4 years ago got what seemed millions of tiny whiteheads all over my face and my whole face looked red and imflammed. I just HAD to stop using it as I couldn't go out looking how I was! Was this reaction I got back then normal? Does it get better on continual use? I know probably some will think it's detox - which does seem to be the easy answer for everything bad that happens with raw foods, but is there a chance it could be an allergic reaction?

[RawLibrarian]

I don't use coconut oil on my face. I use argan oil on my face and neck instead; 3 drops is all I need. I do use coconut oil on the rest of my body and that works great, but for me at least, it doesn't work well for facial use. It was too heavy.

What works for one person might not for another. You might try another type of oil for facial use.

[rawfigure]

I use coconut oil on my face it works great !! I reduced my aging wrinkles too in two weeks !

[ginadj]

you said butter...but do you mean oil?? I use Coconut oil all over!!!

[buffalogal]

I think you may be refering to coconut oil, not coconut butter. I love, l-o-v-e, LOVE my coconut oil night routine. I don't have time right now to go into detail, but there are a few threads that have been on this site. Search (on the green bar up above) for threads entitled "Cleansing with coconut oil. Wow", and "Face Mask". I know I have responded to both of these. If you can't find them, go to "search by name" and put in my name (buffalogal) and you should be able to find them. I can't rave enough about my coconut oil!!!:D

[coco]

coconut oil=coconut butter. the oil is solid at room temp so it gets called butter. unless you're talking about a cosmetic coconut body butter.

i use jojoba or a mixture w it. it's the closest to our natural subaceous secretions.

i'm just looking up argan oil and it looks interesting but i don't think i'll use it as, according to wiki, it's an endangered tree! too bad about that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argan_oil

[buffalogal]

I do think that coconut butter and coconut oil really are two different things. I actually have both and they are definitely different. The coconut oil is clear (when melted) and oilier and has an oily taste. The coconut butter is thicker and has the consistency of peanut butter.....it also tastes much better. I have Nutiva coconut oil and Artisana coconut butter (both raw). Anyone else have any knowledge about these two items?

[RaeVynn]

Artisana coconut butter is a mixture of oil and ground coconut flesh.

I use coconut oil on my skin, my face, and for 'other' uses, as needed.

I have been using coconut oil, almost exclusively, for a couple of years now, and I have the most incredibly sensitive skin (and some rosecea, too)

[kidkid]

i had a similar issue with coconut oil on my face -- my face seemed dryer and i broke out after using it. There have been a few times that i have used olive oil on my face, and that has been better. I put olive oil on my face, then take a hot washcloth and sort of steam my face with it a few times, and finally wipe off the oil gently. all soft!

[ViolinCyndee]

I use coconut oil on my face it works great !! I reduced my aging wrinkles too in two weeks !

Totally agree.. I love it!

[cara4art]

Yes indeed the coconut oil and the coconut butter are different, as I've seen recipes calling for a bit of both. Also, I've seen them next to each other in the wet bulk bins at my co-op here in SF. I've only experience with the coconut oil myself, using it as my only body lotion, and in my face mix which has unrefined shea butter, extra-virgin coconut oil, some vegetable glycerin(humectant, which attracts water), and some drops of lavender essential oil. I love coconut oil for skin, which is my main use of it. I do sometimes scrunch some through dampened hair as a leave-on pre-shampoo treatment(great for colored curly hair like mine). Fabulous stuff that I would never be without!

[sprouts2go]

I started using olive oil on my face because the coconut oil was drying it out.
My face is so smooth when I do.

[Thick]

coco butter is different from coconut oil/butter. Coco butter is the fat from cocoa/cacao beans (chocolate). Coconut oil and coconut butter are terms used interchangably. Whether its oil or butter depends on the temperature where its stored.

I use it on my face and am always sure to use many warm/hot washcloth wipes to get it out of my pores. I'd bump the thread that explains it all, but there's some issues with search lately. Here's the webpage that we discussed. http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

[coco]

see that's where it's confusing. coco is the short form of coconut, not cacao. the short form for chocolate powder is cocoa. cocoa butter smells so super chocolatey that i can't use it anywhere on my body, overwhelming. but coconut oil (the one that is solid at room temp) is fine for body and hair, though a bit greasy to me. i have made blends with it for belly rub while pregnant, in lipbalm and body butter, etc. but on it's own i find it much too oily.

here's a link about coco oil and coco butter being the same thing.

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/coconut-butter.html

though that one with the bits of coconut in it sounds amazing.

[Mikey_H]

Coconut Oil and Coconut Butter are different... I have each one.

The coconut butter I have is from Artisana, it's 100% raw cocnout including the flesh and oil... so it has all the fiber, amino acids, etc. as opposed to coconut oil that is just the fatty acids of the coconut.

[Tenuho]

i once juiced the meat of a coconut and put it in the fridge.....it turned into like a soap bar....so i thought y not try and use it as one......i used it on my face and like you said...i got loads of whiteheads and like a red rash.......never used it again after that......

i find an avocado to be the best for skin care.....

[jamesey]

Can coconut oil only be used for applying on the face, or can coconut butter also be used?

[Nymue]

Coconut oil helps to clear my skin up if I'm having any breakouts, but after just a couple of uses, my skin gets so unbelievably dry and scaly and I have to stop using it. It's too bad, because I love the feel and smell of it. :(
I've thought of maybe mixing it with jojoba to get both the anti-microbial properties of the coconut oil, and the moisturizing effects of the jojoba.

Mmm, coconut butter just SOUNDS divine!! :p

[swati123]

MeritVCO extra virgin coconut oil is good for health.

MeritVCO extra virgin coconut oil for internal and external uses www.excelcombine.com

With all the health, nutritional, and beauty benefits that you get from Virgin coconut oil, there is no doubt why this has been hailed as the miracle oil. It is said to prevent and cure many sicknesses that are almost impossible to heal. Being a healthy oil, it could help decrease viral load of HIV patients, could improve insulin production and thyroid function, it could reduce the risk of diabetes complications, and could even fight heart disease which is the leading cause of death. Virgin coconut oil improves the performance of the digestive system that can make a person lose weight

In addition, Virgin coconut oil may also solve skin problems like acne, pimples, black heads, eczema, psoriasis, or as simple as dry skin. To learn more about the Virgin coconut oil benefits, read on the article:

Benefits of Virgin coconut oil for external health

1. Virgin coconut oil and acne or pimples

Acne is common during the stage of adolescence due to some hormonal changes experienced in puberty. One of these hormonal changes is the abnormally excessive secretion of oil (sebum) by the sebaceous glands. When bacteria mix up with sebum, then there is acne eruption.

Virgin coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids that boost the metabolic process in the body. Ingesting Virgin coconut oil can improve metabolism that enhances cell and hormonal functions. As a result of better digestion, there is regulated excretion of oil by the sebaceous glands.

Putting coco oil on your face also melts bacteria clogged up in the pores.

2. For dry scalp

Healthy scalp would mean healthy hair. Lauric acid converted into monolaurin is one of the antimicrobial properties of Virgin coconut oil. This acid is also found as ingredient in soaps and shampoo. By applying coco oil, your scalp is kept moisturized and protected from fungi that cause dandruff.

3. Virgin coconut oil for hair

Healthier and shinier hair is also one of the Virgin coconut oil benefits. To keep your hair from being dry and unmanageable, spread an ample amount of coco oil from the roots to the tip of damp hair. Do not put too much or your hair might get greasy.

4. For skin

Many people experience dry skin. Untreated dry skin can cause premature wrinkling and ageing in the long run.

A solution to this is applying virgin Virgin coconut oil as alternative to your other body lotions. The usual lotion that you use primarily contains water that easily evaporates, thus, drying your skin. Virgin coconut oil prolongs the moisture on your skin making it smooth and soft the whole day.

To add to that, Virgin coconut oil also strengthens by holding your skin tissues together and protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The antiseptic composition of Virgin coconut oil kills fungi and yeast that cause athlete’s foot, diaper rash, and candidiasis

Eczema

Virgin coconut oil cure can also be true to eczema. Eczema, an inflammation of the epidermis, is caused by hereditary factors, allergens like dust, pets, or plant pollens, and irritants like smoke or solvents. As a result, a person experiences itching, flaking, dryness, or even bleeding of the skin. Moisturizers are very important treatment for eczema and Virgin coconut oil is best for lasting moisture for the skin. This same effect of coco oil also treats psoriasis.

Benefits of Virgin coconut oil for internal/systemic health

Maintaining a Virgin coconut oil diet is beneficial for your internal body system. Virgin coconut oil diet is done by changing your usual cooking oil with refined Virgin coconut oil and taking three to three and a half tablespoons of virgin Virgin coconut oil as supplement everyday.

The medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in Virgin coconut oil greatly contributes in boosting the digestive system that improve the performance of cells and hormonal secretion of glands. Also, Virgin coconut oil contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid, and butyric acid that are helpful in fighting infections, yeast growth, and killing disease-causing bacteria.

In effect are the following Virgin coconut oil health benefits:

1. Virgin coconut oil and thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a state when the thyroid glands are not producing sufficient thyroid hormones. Virgin coconut oil plays a major role in improving thyroid function.

2. Virgin coconut oil and diabetes

Diabetes is a syndrome of a metabolism disorder resulting to high blood sugar levels in the body. Insulin is a hormone that assists the blood sugar to enter the cell and be converted as heat and energy. There is better production of insulin with the help of MCFAs present in coco oil.

3. For heart disease

Common fats are not easily absorbed by the cells as nutrients. Instead they are stored as body fat until they get clogged in the arteries and blood vessels. This clogging disrupts blood circulation and leads to heart ailments.

MCFAs in Virgin coconut oil, being more soluble, are easily converted into nutrients in the metabolic process. So, if you use Virgin coconut oil, you would lessen the fear the risk of heart disease.

4. Weight Loss

The medium chain fatty acids also aid in the calorie-burning activity when your system is digesting food. This means you can lose weight in using or ingesting Virgin coconut oil.

Note: Since Virgin coconut oil enhances the digestive system, it is advised that taking and using Virgin coconut oil is done gradually to give the system time to adjust. Ingesting big amounts of Virgin coconut oil immediately may cause diarrhea, so small amounts at a time will do until you are ready for a regular dosage.

5. Virgin coconut oil and candida

Candidiasis happens when Candida species grow uncontrollably in the small intestine, vaginal canal, or the mouth until it affects many parts of the body including the intestinal tract.

These fungi can grow in years causing inflammations and discomforts in humans like respiratory infection, painful urination, chronic rashes, oral yeast infection, vaginal discharge, impotency, among many others.

MCFAs in Virgin coconut oil have antifungal properties (like lauric acid) killing bad bacteria, fungi, and yeast like Candida.

6. For Bones and teeth (and osteoporosis)

Since MCFAs present in Virgin coconut oil facilitate better absorption of nutrients from the food to the body, thus, there is also faster absorption of calcium for the teeth and bones. Because of calcium absorption, coco oil helps prevent osteoporosis – a disease of bone that can cause fractures.

7. For Cancer

Other than lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids, Virgin coconut oil also contains butyric acid which is said to be an anti-cancer agent.

8. HIV, AIDS, and the Immune System

Virgin coconut oil can also benefit the HIV and AIDS patients. A nutritionist and Virgin coconut oil advocate Dr. Bruce Fife, once shared about a story of an HIV patient. This man stayed in a rural place where he maintained a coconut diet and an organic lifestyle. His viral count decreased and he became more energetic.

The first clinical study about Virgin coconut oil being effective treatment for HIV was reported by a Filipino pharmacology professor, Dr. Conrado Dayrit. This study has confirmed that coco oil can reduce the viral load of an HIV patient.

There are actually antiviral drugs used to fight HIV but they give a lot of bad side effects like vomiting, hemorrhaging, fatigue, and altered mental function. Virgin coconut oil, on the other hand, does not give these side effects to patients.

More so, the lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid boost the immune system. As such, Virgin coconut oil helps in dealing with virus and bacteria that may cause herpes, influenza, and cytomegalovirus.

9. For Stress

The soothing effect of Virgin coconut oil releases stress. Applying Virgin coconut oil on your head is helpful in eliminating mental fatigue.

The good fatty acids are key components that make coco oil beneficial to your health, nutrition, and beauty. Now that you know these facts, buy Virgin coconut oil and use it to gain all the Virgin coconut oil benefits.

[klomasius]

Yes, there's a difference between coconut oil and coconut butter as the coconut butter has the flesh as well as the oil in it.

However, the term coconut 'butter' is still used to describe the solid state of the coconut oil when the temperature is cooler and this is where the confusion arises. Coconut oil is often also called coconut butter due to it's sometimes solidity, and in places where *actual* coconut butter is not available (i.e. where I live) the terms seem to be interchangeable and used for the coconut oil, even in recipes.