Coconut oil is something of a miracle ingredient when it comes to skincare. This natural extract is popular both in its pure form, and as a key ingredient in skincare products. As an affordable, sustainable oil, it’s also as good for the planet as it is for you. What’s not to love?

Covered in this guide are the eight benefits of coconut oil for skin, focusing on the natural oil’s magical properties. Also included are the benefits of coconut oil for your hair. Here’s all you need to know about treating your face, body and hair to a natural coconut boost. 

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is the oil extracted from raw or dried coconut. At room temperature, pure coconut oil is a solid, and is therefore sold in jars rather than bottles. When heated, it softens or melts, depending on the degree of warmth. 

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids, and contains around 90% saturated fat. It’s almost 50% lauric acid, and also contains about seven other types. The oil is used in beauty products for the skin and hair, as well as for cooking. It can also be used in biofuel. 

Dry processing is more common, as it’s more efficient and therefore more cost-effective. The majority of the world’s coconut oil is produced in southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia and the Philippines.

What’s in coconut oil?

Pure coconut oil comprises the following fatty acids. These make up around 90% of the oil. 

• Lauric acid (49%): The major active ingredient in coconut oil
• Myristic acid ( 8%): Often used in cleansing products
• Caprylic acid (8%): Antibacterial, antifungal and anti inflammatory 
• Palmitic acid (8%): Used as a moisturiser and skin softener
• Capric acid (7%): An effective emollient and moisturiser
• Oleic acid (6%): Easily absorbed, moisturising and anti-ageing
• Linoleic acid (2%): Especially good at creating a skin barrier
• Stearic acid (2%): A popular emulsifier and haircare ingredient

Benefits of coconut oil for skin

1. It’s highly hydrating

Probably the best-known of the benefits of coconut oil for skin is its role in hydration. Coconut oil is a rich moisturising agent, resulting in more hydrated and healthier skin. 

Moisturised skin not only feels better, but also acts as a more powerful barrier. This can help to ward off bacteria, as well as preventing and treating dryness. 

Coconut oil is very effective at adding moisture to dry skin – even cracked or flaking skin. It can also lock this in to improve moisture retention. 

2. It’s anti inflammatory

Coconut oil has anti inflammatory properties, which can benefit those with skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Anti inflammatories can also reduce pain. 

3. It’s an antioxidant

Coconut oil can also function as an antioxidant. It works by stabilising and neutralising the free radicals that can cause inflammation. 

This can help to avoid the negative effects of unstable atoms attaching to the skin and causing damage. 

4. It’s naturally antibacterial

Coconut oil can help to prevent the spread of microorganisms. This, in turn, can help to control or prevent bacterial skin conditions such as acne, cellulitis and folliculitis.

The antimicrobial coconut oil benefits for skin are due to the fact that coconut oil is almost 50% lauric acid. Another fatty acid, capric acid, also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. 

5. It has healing properties

As coconut oil has been shown to increase natural levels of antioxidants, it can help to promote healing. Plus, coconut oil can boost collagen levels, which helps skin to repair and regenerate. 

6. It can reduce signs of ageing

While we completely embrace signs of ageing here at UpCircle, using coconut oil for dry skin leads to plumper, more moisturised skin that tends to look more youthful than dehydrated skin. 

The boost to collagen levels provided by coconut oil can also improve skin elasticity. This results in fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and therefore younger-looking skin. 

7. It softens skin

Apply pure coconut oil or use products containing the natural extract for softer skin that feels every bit as good as it looks. 

8. It can even the skin tone

Coconut oil can help to give the skin a more even tone and texture. It can calm down facial redness, and minimise the appearance of dark spots. 

How to use coconut oil

If you want to reap the benefits of coconut oil for your face and body, you can use it in its pure state, or in beauty products which contain it. 

Coconut oil for the skin

Natural coconut oil is available in jars, and can be used in its pure form. This is best applied occasionally, rather than on a daily basis. 

To use it, scoop out around one tablespoon of oil and melt it between your palms. Once it’s sufficiently softened, apply the melted coconut oil to your face and neck. Alternatively, use it on dry parts of your body, such as your lower legs and heels, or your elbows and arms. 

Use a tissue to blot away any excess oil. Then leave overnight so it can work its moisturising magic. 

Coconut oil is also a popular ingredient in skincare products, such as a couple of pampering UpCircle body scrubs.

Choose between the UpCircle body scrub with lemongrass and the body scrub with peppermint. As well as coconut oil, both also contain coffee to exfoliate, and shea butter to provide an extra hit of moisturisation. 

Both of these body scrubs can brighten skin and even the tone, and are also rich in vitamins A and E. Apply to damp skin up to three times weekly using circular motions for the best results.   

Benefits of coconut oil for hair

So while we’ve discovered the skincare benefits, is coconut oil good for your hair? The same properties outlined above mean you can really reap the benefits of coconut oil for hair, too. 

Whether used in its pure state, or in a specially formulated haircare product, coconut oil can condition the hair by moisturising and strengthening every strand. It can also benefit the scalp by treating dandruff, dryness, inflammation and irritation. 

You can apply pure coconut oil to the hair as with the skin. First of all, scoop it from the jar and soften it between your palms, as before. 

You can then use it as a pre-wash treatment, as a conditioner after shampooing, or after washing as a hair mask. Very small amounts can even be used for hair styling. 

The UpCircle conditioner crème contains rosemary oil, bamboo extract, and vitamin E in addition to coconut oil. This gives your crowning glory an intensive conditioning boost, leaving your hair softer, stronger and shinier than ever before.

Shop our full range of natural skin and hair care products at UpCircle.