Coconut Oil for the face
I'm wondering if anybody else here on Megs has used organic virgin coconut oil on your face? For the past two weeks or so I was using tea tree essential oil in trying to get rid of acne. It seemed to work at first, but then it kind of came to a halt and quit working. Now for the past couple days I've been using organic virgin coconut oil on my face, putting it on as a moisturizer all over my face, after washing and using witch hazel toner. I can't believe the improvements I'm seeing! My face is so much smoother all over, even places I didn't have acne, I had tons of very very tiny bumps that were just causing my face to not feel very smooth and nice. Those bumps are nearly gone, namely on my forehead. My makeup is going on so much better too, and really looks pretty good so far! I just have a mass of zits on my chin area that have been bugging me for the past 3 months now, but those seem to really be drying up. For some reason, coconut oil really dries up zits in no time, almost instantly it seems. And it is so cheap and smells really really good! I really thought it would make my normally oil/combo skin even more oily, but it seems to be doing the opposite actually, making it less shiny and oily throughout the day! I've been doing a lot of "googling" about coconut oil for acne treatments and it seems it's a "hidden" popular fix for acne. One that all the "acne treatment" manufacturers and doctors don't want you to find out about. I strongly encourage anybody trying to get rid of acne or adult acne to go do some googling of your own, and read what's out there. I bought my coconut oil from iherb. I hear you can also find it at some grocery stores or health food stores. It's really worth the try! Even non-acne people I think would appreciate how nice it makes your skin feel.
From within bottles, jars, compacts and tubes.*
I've only ever used it for my dry skin and got great results--and a little goes a long way.
@melilala: I agree, a little does go a long way! And I especially love how it melts on your face as you are applying it.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
I just started using moroccan oil on my face, which seems counter-intuitive because of my oily skin, but you would not believe the glow it gives me! I use it at night after my retin-a has a few minutes to soak in, and then I use a few drops and just rub it in. Amazing! I usually use coconut oil on my hair ends, just put it on at night and it soaks in while I sleep. I probably wouldn't put it on my face, but I would use it on my body.
i have not used coconut oil but i am using Melvita's argan oil and it does miracles! i had a huge zit on my cheek, a big red bump for several weeks. i was so desperate i massaged some argan oil- and next morning my bump was gone!!! two days later i have a little pink spot. it usually takes weeks before my pimples disappear. i am loving argan oil!!! the main trick is to massage it into your face for a few minutes. first time i used oil i just patted it lightly and ended up with shiny looking face. Massaging oil with your fingers really makes the difference, and my face wasnt oily at all!
I've been pricing the organic extra virgin coconut oil in my local grocery stores, and so far I've found that Amazon.com has a much better price. You can get a big ol' 54oz jar of the Nutiva brand (which was recommended by someone on here, maybe Jeanasina?) for $21 compared to ~$10 for 15oz in my grocery stores for the same brand. I haven't tried that brand yet, because I'm waiting until I have something to fill the $4 so I can get free shipping with a $25 purchase. When I try it, I'll report back.
@kristaqqqq: have you checked iherb? There are always codes for $5 off any purchase, and their shipping charges are very very cheap. I don't remember how much I paid for my coconut oil from them, but I thought it was a pretty good price.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
The Vitamin Shoppe (has stores all over the U.S) sells Nutiva brand extra virgin coconut oil at great prices. I've been buying it there for years. Also, I wouldn't recommend buying too large of a container--it can go rancid after a year or so if it isn't used up.
Erica, I have a question: Are you using Moroccan Oil, as in the hair treatment, or Argan Oil? Just wondering, because I would think that Moroccan Oil would not be good for the face. I LOVE Argan Oil, though!I've been using Coconut Oil on my hair. I've been interested in trying CO for my face, but I've heard mixed reviews (most have been good, though). My face is in a VERY bad place right now! It goes through phases, and it looks like a minefield right now! :( It would be awesome if CO could help! I'm going to do more research.
Here's some of the info I was reading about CO for acne: http://www.acne.org/coconut-oil-reviews/474/page1.html
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
I totally agree (i posted on a separate thread about this-i think I posted on the thread you wrote about using tea tree?!)I use tea tree on spots then coconut oil allover and i too have been AMAZED withthe results! even on the biggest "time of the month" spots that usually hang around for at lease a week they are gone within 2 days of using this! have you used it on your hair yet? rub it all over at night then shampoo and condition in the morning-shiny shiny shiny! x
Carly xxx
Thanks for sharing all of this info. I have not had a chance to try coconut oil yet. However, with so many good comments I am going to soon.
Thank you, rubysbeauty and melilala: If I use a $5 coupon at iherb.com, the prices would be slightly cheaper than on Amazon. I appreciate the info, rubysbeauty! Also, I don't have a Vitamin Shoppe nearby, but I'll be on the lookout. And thanks for the warning about buying too much, melilala. I guess I got carried away with the bulk discount and forgot that it doesn't stay fresh forever!
@kristaqqqq: my container of CO says to store in the fridge upon opening so it lasts longer. I keep mine out at room temperature though, but just a though, so you can make a large container last longer.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
this is the exact one that I bought: http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Extra-Virgin-Coconut-Oil-16-oz-454-... and with $5 off it would be $2.80 for 16 ounces!
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
I seriously need to try this :D I hope I can track it down some place near me
A little update: I got lazy and quit using the coconut oil for a few days. Guess what happened? I got my acne back. :( So it's absolutely something that needs to be kept up with, skip a day, you will get zits. At least I'm not back at the very beginning where it was really bad.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
I agree rubysbeauty- I really notice when i havent used it I start getting breakouts again (not major ones) I think this stuff is amazing!!!
Carly xxx
Coconut oil works all over your body for practically anything because it is an anti-bacterial. That is also why it is particularly effective as a acne moisturizer. Making smoothies with coconut oil and fresh fruit can also help you loose weight. Coconut is a miracle fruit and a staple in my beauty regime! Just make sure you get COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN oil if you want to use it on your body.
I've used this on my body, in the winter it's freakin' awesome! And surpisingly not very heavy :)
I love coconut oil for all over the body and on the face. I find that if I use it as a facial oil, it is great for about a week and then i need something more hydrating like Sweet almond oil or Jojoba. Coconut oil is great stuff...really healing and gentle at least for me. It is great to cook with as well. Good for you inside and out!
i want to believe you, really i do. but how is putting oil on my already oliy face going to do any good? do u just put like a pea sized amount or what? im sooo confused
@lalalexi: The skin is stimulated to produce excess oil by what is viewed by the skin as a lack of hydration. You strip it with harsh detergents (benzoyl peroxide for example), it pumps up the oil to compensate. Placing hydrators/ moisturizers/ oil on the skin attempts to short circuit the system and stop the excess oil production and bring the skin into balance. Moisturizers can have a lot of other chemicals (or no chemicals) and ingredients that sometimes don't mesh well with skin. Coconut oil is very basic and has lots of fatty acids that are good for skin health. The amount used varies from person to person depending on dryness and skin condition. Experiment to see what works for you, but a pea sized amount is a place to start. Warm the oil in your hands and press it into the skin. Then you can give yourself a mini-massage by massaging the skin in circular motions with the pads of your fingers. This will draw blood to the surface of the skin, improving the circulation and oxygenating the skin hopefully giving you a nice, rosy glow.
Huh, I never thought of using my Moroccan Oil for anything other than my hair. I am certainly going to have to give this a try. Is it sold anywhere such as a health food store or only online?
I'm definitely no expert on this and can't say I've tried it myself, but because I'm a pharmacy student and I spent the past few weeks studying acne treatment for various skin types, I thought I'd put in my two cents: for acne-prone skin, we usually recommend to avoid oils and oil-based cosmetics on the face. There have been studies done that have shown 5% tea tree oil in a water-based gel to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide in a water based lotion for three months in reducing acne lesions, but the key here is using water-based cosmetics because oils really can clog the pores. I noticed that you are using a witch hazel toner too which I found kind of interesting because it is sometimes used on skin to reduce inflammation and have a mild drying effect on the skin (for which you'd probably need a moisturizer afterward). Still, seeing as all the reviews here are so positive, there must be something good about using coconut oil on the face despite all the science. Thanks for sharing! :)