Coconut: Ingredient of the week + Skin Benefits and Best Coconut Skin Care Products to try

Starting this month, I'll be highlighting a certain skin care ingredient every week and recommend products powered by it. This is a great way for all of us to get to know the active ingredients that go into our products and find out whether they're great for us or not.

First ingredient in our list is from the tree of life, COCONUT!

COCONUT SKIN BENEFITS:

Coconut is one of the prized ingredients in the skin care world lately; it was the buzzword a couple of years ago, but interest somehow died and lately, thanks to celebrities, it's had a resurgence. Now more and more brands are coming up with Coconut- powered skin care products.

Coconut is rich in fatty acids that make it great for deep conditioning and moisturization. Those with dry skin and scalp will benefit a lot from this product. Research has also found that it has a medium- chain fatty acid that has anti-microbial properties (you will see later one skin care brand that has utilized this property for acne care). Aside from potent moisturizing properties, it's also great for reducing inflammation, maintaining a healthy skin surface by balancing and keeping moisture, and making skin glow. Skin care mainly uses two types of Coconut derivatives: oil and water.

COCONUT CONS:

Coconut ranks as 4 in the list of comedogenic ingredients (5 is the highest) so if you have sensitive or acne- prone skin, conduct a patch test before committing to any coconut- based skin care, especially oil.

If you have sensitive skin, choose coconut water- based ingredients because it's as beneficial as coconut oil too! Coconut water contains potassium that promotes moisture balance on the skin.

They say natural is always best, but it's not always the case in skin care. Remember that natural products must be filtered and stabilized in order to minimize risk associated in skin care such as inflammation, sensitivity, and allergies. Always go for coconut oil products that are well- suited for facial use and coconut- based products that are made for skin use.

COCONUT USES:

Here are a bevy of uses for coconut:

- As a facial moisturizer

- As a makeup remover

- As a deep conditioning treatment for the scalp

- As a body oil

- Severe dry skin treatment

- As an earth- friendly form of surfactant/alternative to SLS (Coconut sulfate)

Here are Coconut- infused skin care products to try:

1. ESFOLIO SUPER COCONUT SKIN CARE

- A deep moisturizing treatment made for dry skin; powered with Coconut Oil and other botanical extracts that keep skin soft, moist, and smooth.

2. VMV HYPOALLERGENICS MONOLAURIN GEL

- This is the skin care brand that has utilized the anti-microbial property of Coconut, as mentioned above. VMV Hypoallergenics discovered Monolaurin, one of the properties of Coconut that has potent anti-microbial properties, making it effective for acne management. Monolaurin Gel is a a face and body gel that mattifies, and dries and heals acne.

3. PURPLE TREE COCONUT MIRACLE BALM

- This dry skin's best friend is an all- around balm in treating dry lips, skin patches, cuticles, and itchy, scaly, dry skin. Powered with coconut for extra, long- lasting moisture benefits.

4. JERGENS HYDRATING COCONUT LOTION

- Got dry skin but hate slathering oil on your body? Go for lotion and Jergens Hydrating Coconut is perfect because it has a light, soothing texture, high absorbency, and smells charmingly tropical!

5. LOVE, BEAUTY, AND PLANET COCONUT WATER AND MIMOSA FLOWER

- A clarifying shampoo and conditioner duo with a fun, coconut fragrance. This duo keeps hair smelling great the whole day, plus the coconut ingredient used in it are being sourced from the Philippines!

6. ZENUTRIENTS COCO HONEY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

- A lightly moisturizing shampoo perfect for those with dry, fine hair and semi- oily scalp. Honey adds a glistening touch to your hair while Coconut does all the cleaning and moisturizing tasks.

Hope you liked our first ingredient of the week! Do let me know which ingredients you would like me to talk about next.