Why Listen To Me?
Since I am an esthetician I talk to women all the time about their skin. I hear many complaints about what is wrong with their skin and what they want to do to make it look better. I have lots of women tell me that they use coconut oil on their face and they've been using it for years.
So while I do recommend using oil on the face, I definitely do NOT recommend using coconut oil on the face anymore.
What Changed?
Yes, I used to recommend it all the time! I thought it was the greatest thing ever, it has natural sunscreen and it has so many benefits! However, I noticed that in many of my skincare classes, women of European descent (their ancestors came from Europe) would have bad reactions (rashes to redness) from using coconut oil.
I Decided to Research It
I did lots of research after that. I read in a few books that recommend never using coconut oil on the face. In fact, David Wolfe author of "Eating for Beauty" said to not put it on the nose or the forehead because it can clog pores! And if there was one thing I didn't want, it was clogged pores.
So one day I was actually reading "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Weston A. Price, I had my epiphany about coconut oil. Weston Price was a Canadian dentist who researched the diets of indigenous people all over the world. He found that the people who only ate food native to their region with and didn't eat refined sugars didn't experience any tooth decay.
I applied this theory to skincare products. Coconuts didn't grow native to where my ancestors lived, or to where I lived now. So maybe coconut oil wasn't the best option for me? It seemed to do really well for people whose ancestry was from around the equator, but just not for anyone that had European ancestry.
I did more research and found that coconut oil has a larger molecular structure, and people that live around the equator tend to have darker, thicker skin, and that can more easily handle and absorb coconut oil. That's why my skin couldn't handle it!
What Oils Are Better?
I also looked at what oils grow naturally in European areas, and I've found that many people of European descent do really well with sweet almond, olive, and apricot.
My skin does really well with Jojoba oil that grows in the U.S. which is where I live. That's why we use it in all of our serum products!
But I Still Use Coconut Oil... Sometimes
It's not that coconut oil is bad, I will sometimes use it as a sunscreen on my arms & legs in the summer. Or I'll sometimes use products that have coconut oil and my skin does well. But as an "everyday" face oil, I've found that Jojoba works wonders! And I don't have to set it on a window sill to warm it up if it gets cold.
What's even worse is fractionated coconut oil (which makes it stay as a liquid) which is refined oil, should never be used on the skin.
I get a lot of surprised looks when I tell light-skinned women to not use coconut oil on their face! In fact, many argue with me. But try it for yourself! See if another oil works better on your skin.
Also, experiment with oils to see which one your skin does best with!
Also, try our Salis Salt Scrub Face wash! It's in the Shop section. The scrub has Jojoba in it, which again, seems to be very beneficial to my skin - amazed at the vast difference from using coconut and other oils. Check it out!
Have a question? Ask below!
189 comments
Hi Lorelei
I agree with you completely. I’m Irish and have been using coconut oil on my face and body for three years. Apart from the odd spot or two, I have had no issues with it. In fact, I find that my skin is glowing as a result of using it. People who find coconut oil too strong can alternatively try using avocado oil, which I also find great.
Regards
Samantha,
I also use coconut oil religiously on my face. I mix it into my nightly moisturizing creme and it has worked absolute wonders for my face. All of a sudden everyone is asking how I got my skin to look so dewy and airbrushed. Coconut oil baby! I am German/French/Canadian/Danish …very fair skinned!
Hi there!
I have recently been wondering about this exact notion, so I am very happy to discover I’m not the only one!
I have been using organic coconut oil on my face and body for a little while now. I really don’t use it much on my face now, I use a blend of some others. I have experienced the red irritation on my face from the coconut before, which may have occurred when I first tried it. It doesn’t appear to upset my body skin.
I have always lived in the same state in NE U.S. and my heritage, from what I’ve been told, is a mix of Irish/English/Scottish/German/Swedish/Portuguese and perhaps some Native American. I tan nicely, but never very dark.
I am also curious about what may be good for my dry scalp. I have been using an organic shower gel to clean my body and hair, but I haven’t been doing anything to condition my hair. I’m a sucker for warmth, but I try not to get my water too hot cos I know that is bad for skin and hair. Doesn’t always happen that way though.
I also have consistent acne on an area other than my face. Normally it wouldn’t bother me as much as it does, but I pose as a model for artists and I’m generally nude for that. I end up covering it up with foundation, because it is super embarrassing.
What do you recommend?
Thanks for all of this intriguing information!
Question for you.
My guy, eats virgin coconut oil, has never put it on his skin tho.
I give him weekly massages, using holly oil. But yesturday wanted to use a oil that absorbs a little more into the skin, searched the interenet and found to use fractionated coconut oil. Started massaging his arm with that, about 30 mins later he started to have med size bumps on his arm. Assuming a reaction of some sorts.
Just curious if you think using jojoba oil on the body would be fine??
Thanks, Kelly!!
Another question,
Is there a remedy to help those bumps go away? (from fractionated coconut oil) Or is it just wash it, and it will go away on its own?
Thanks, Kelly
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