Natural oils good for skin? Coconut oil health food

[Celtaur]

I've used coconut oil in the past for many things, including chocolate which is melt in your mouth delicious btw.

I saw a news clip about how it's the new super food, fad likely, but what about skin care? Getting older it's not a bad idea to use something to moisturize especially in winter, but I find there's so many chemicals in products I try to just use natural oils. The problem is many oils can go rancid, but I don't know how quickly.

For instance Omega three's like flax seed oil when exposed to air oxidize quite quickly and are kept in either capsules or dark containers, liquid, and refrigerated for a max of 6 weeks after opening.

Coconut oil, the kind that hardens when cooled, has complex long chain fatty acids from what I recall and can go rancid.

I don't know how quickly it oxidizes, and maybe it does quickly enough on the microscopic level to not be the greatest idea to put on your skin.

I'm guessing if using vitamin e, an antioxidant, mixed with coconut oil will be best.

Food for thought.

[Haruth]

You'll be glad to hear that fractionated coconut oil has the longest shelf life (up to 2 years) of any of the natural oils (generally around 6 months - also true of the whole coconut oil, which is the type that hardens).

The high concentration of lauric acid makes it a useful antibacterial and the presence of stearic acid makes it a gentle anti fungal agent. (Some claim it is also anti-viral, but I haven't come across any scientific studies to back this up.)

As it contains a high percentage of saturated fats, it is readily absorbed into the skin penetrating the deeper layers, not just at the surface level - so is an excellent base for a moisturiser. It contains its own vitamin A and vitamin E, so unless you wanted to perfume it using a few drops of your favourite essential oil, it's pretty much ready to go!

Enjoy...

(God, that sounded like I have shares in a coconut farm... )

[gaolic]

Hello all, That's nice post one the Natural oils & Coconut oil as health food. I think that coconut oil is much better one for the health and skin as well... I use olive oil in my foods but now I must try the coconut oil and got some positive one results out there from that one oil.......

[bsbray]

I read an article recently that coconut oil is the best to cook with because it doesn't degrade as much during the heating process. Apparently extra virgin olive oil is among the worst for degradation, even worse than regular olive oil, and neither fares well during cooking. I read as much on Dr. Mercola's website. I'm subscribed to Mercola's newsletter and I get great nutrition news and information sent to my mailbox just about every day.

[Sevannah]

Coconut oil as a super food is not a fad. I try to eat it everyday if I can, the health benefits are endless. As for the claim of being anti-viral there are a few indivduals who claim that they had full blown AIDS and and after eating coconut everyday for three months they went into complete remission. (I believe I shared the article here some time ago) As for skin care, it's fabulous, I use it in lieu of commercial moisterizers and it works wonders on my son's bum rashes. Coconut oil will not only help you lose weight, but is excellent in fight colds and the flu.

It's unfortunate that some things are wonderful are tainted by people wanting to a quick buck and that item is then stuck on the "fad" shelf.

[brifae]

i put it in my bath bombs also apricot hemp or avacado oil

[enriqueiglesias]

Hi,,,
There are several harmful effects of natural oils too.I advice you all people with care.Natural oils may lead to several allergies.There is also the possibility of toxicity when overused or not used properly.On the whole the natural oils are good for health but be careful that it might also cause some diseases too.

[joemy]

The high concentration of lauric acid makes it a useful antibacterial and the presence of stearic acid makes it a gentle anti fungal agent.

[sharonbaker]

I used coconut oil for hair massage and it is really very effective for my hair shine and growth. For skin i think olive oil is also best.

[malinamartis]

The coconut oil for your hair which is helps to prevent hair loss. Massaging your skin with coconut oil is also control dryness of the skin.