Coconut oil: benefits and uses

Coconut oil is an oil with a rich, melting feel. Depending on the temperature, it takes on different appearances. Also marketed as ‘coconut butter’, it is solid when stored in a cool place or below 20°C, semi-solid at room temperature (around 20°C) and completely liquid at 24°C and above. Native to South-East Asia and Polynesia, coconuts have colonised every tropical environment on the planet. A distinction must be made between virgin coconut oil, made from the fresh flesh of the coconut, and coconut oil, made from the dried albumen, often used in soap-making.

What are the properties of coconut vegetable oil?

Nicknamed the ‘tree of life’, the coconut palm is useful in everyday life: in medicine, beauty, food, construction, etc. Applied to the skin, this oil is ideal for protecting, moisturising, nourishing and softening the skin during your skincare routine. As a hair care product, it protects and deeply moisturises your hair, restoring its shine and suppleness. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it can be used as a deodorant or toothpaste to reduce the proliferation of bacteria.
To make the most of all the benefits of coconut oil, it's best to choose virgin, first cold-pressed and organic coconut oil!

• nourishing: protects skin and hair from external aggressions.
• protective: prevents the growth of bacteria.
• antibacterial: empêche le développement des bactéries.
• moisturising: binds water to the skin for better hydration.
• antioxidant, anti-free radical: protects the skin and mucous membranes against damage caused by free radicals, whether naturally generated or induced by environmental factors.
• emulsifying: increases the creaminess of certain products, to stabilise an emulsion.
  lipid replenishing: restores the correct level of lipids to the skin.
• lipid replenishing: restores the correct level of lipids to the skin.
• soothing: soothes and relieves irritated and dry skin.

How is coconut oil used?

Coconut oil is mainly used in cooking and cosmetics. In cooking, coconut oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-temperature cooking. You can use it to sauté, roast or fry foods. It is also a common ingredient in pastry and dessert recipes to replace butter. When buying your coconut oil, look for organic and unrefined options to get the maximum nutritional benefits.

For application to the hair, we recommend you follow these steps:

• Brush your hair and apply the oil to dry hair to penetrate deep into the scales.
• Re-brush your hair before and after application to ensure better distribution throughout the hair
• If you're in a hurry, leave the hair care product on for at least 30 minutes. Otherwise, we recommend leaving it on for 2 hours under a warm towel or overnight for maximum effectiveness.

What are the precautions for use and dangers of coconut vegetable oil?

Coconut vegetable oil is suitable for normal to very dry skin. It is not recommended for combination to oily skin, as its comedogenic index is 4 out of 5. The term comedogenic means that an ingredient has a tendency to clog the skin's pores and cause the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and even microcysts! You need to choose your plant oils according to your skin type.

It's important to note that some people can be allergic to coconut oil, so it's best to do a skin test before using it for the first time. Apply a small amount to the hollow of your elbow or the back of your hand and wait 24 hours. If your skin doesn't react, you can use it without risk. However, if you have a known allergy to nuts or coconut milk, you should consult an allergist before using coconut oil.

Coconut oil should be stored away from heat and light. Coconut oil is also rich in saturated fats, so it is advisable to use it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Excessive consumption of saturated fats can contribute to health problems such as increased cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

How can I care for my hair with coconut oil?

Coconut oil offers a multitude of benefits as a hair care product, making it a popular choice for improving hair health. Firstly, its rich composition of fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, allows coconut oil to penetrate deep into the hair shaft, providing intensive hydration. This helps prevent dryness, frizz and split ends, while leaving hair naturally soft. In addition, nutrients such as vitamin E and iron found in coconut oil help strengthen hair structure, reducing breakage.

Diluted application:

How can I moisturise my skin with coconut oil?

Coconut oil is prized for its exceptional skin moisturising properties. Composed mainly of saturated fatty acids, including lauric acid, it has the unique ability to effectively penetrate the skin's layers. This property enables coconut oil to provide deep hydration, acting not only on the surface but also nourishing the skin from within. The fatty acids help seal in moisture, preventing skin water loss and fighting dryness.

Dehydrated skin: In a 100 ml bottle of vegetable coconut oil, add 10 drops of frankincense essential oil. Apply daily, morning and evening, after cleansing your face. For adults only.

How can coconut oil protect skin and nails?

Coconut oil offers essential protection to skin and nails thanks to its composition rich in saturated fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, which maintains hydration by preserving the skin barrier. With antioxidants such as vitamin E, it helps neutralise free radicals, preserving the skin's youthful appearance. Free radicals can contribute to cell regeneration, promoting healthier, suppler, more radiant skin.

Lauric acid's antibacterial and antifungal properties make it effective against skin infections. By forming a protective layer, coconut oil acts as a natural barrier against external aggression, while soothing skin irritations. For nails, it helps to strengthen them, reducing brittleness and promoting optimum health.

Regular application of this versatile oil provides complete, nourishing protection for skin and nails.

How to use coconut oil for beard care?

Thanks to its richness in fatty acids, coconut oil offers deep hydration, helping to prevent dryness of the skin under the beard while keeping the hair well moisturised. If applied regularly, it helps to soften the hair, making it more supple and easier to comb.

Leave-in beard care: add 1 drop of sandalwood or patchouli essential oil to half a hazelnut of coconut vegetable oil. Apply in the morning, massaging into the lengths of the beard. For adults only.

How to prevent and reduce stretch marks with coconut oil?

Coconut oil is often used as a natural remedy to help reduce stretch marks and scars. However, it's important to note that results can vary from person to person, and the effectiveness of coconut oil can depend on various factors such as genetics, the severity of the stretch marks or scars, and how regularly you apply it.

Anti-sagging/stretch mark oil during pregnancy

To create a creamy balm, mix these 6 vegetable oils in equal parts: prickly pear, apricot kernel, argan, sweet almond, jojoba, rosehip in equal parts (30ml of each). Melt 30ml of shea butter and 30ml of coconut oil to mix with the oils. Pour into a large glass jar. Mix well and once the mixture has cooled, massage the balm into your body from the ankles to the chest. Use morning and evening if possible. From age 15.

Tip: Massage the scar by peeling off the skin and rolling it between your fingers for 2 minutes, 3 times a day.

How do I use coconut oil as a make-up remover?

Coconut oil can be used as a natural make-up remover. It can help remove make-up, including waterproof make-up, while nourishing the skin.

Diluted application:

From age 15	If your oil is solid, you can heat a 100 ml jar of vegetable coconut oil slightly in a bain-marie to make it liquid. Add 1 drop of neroli essential oil. Apply to the face and around the eyes with a circular massage. Wipe off any excess with a cotton pad. Spray with organic floral water (rose, orange blossom). To remove eye make-up, use vegetable coconut oil without essential oils.
From age 12	Mix 1 drop of palmarosa essential oil with the equivalent of a hazelnut of coconut vegetable oil. Spread the mixture over the neck and face, avoiding the eyelids. Massage in small circular motions to remove make-up and impurities from the skin. Follow with 4 to 5 sprays of rose or geranium hydrosol on the face and neck, then wipe gently with a cotton pad. Do not rinse off.

If you have acne-prone skin, make sure you wash your face thoroughly after removing make-up to avoid any oil residue.
Avoid direct contact with your eyes. If any oil gets into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Some types of make-up, such as water-based mascaras, may require a little more effort to remove. Be patient and gentle.

How do I use coconut oil to combat skin damage?

Coconut oil is invaluable for treating various skin conditions such as psoriasis, blisters and burns, thanks to its soothing, moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to its richness in fatty acids, it provides deep hydration, relieving the dryness associated with psoriasis and helping to reduce itching. Its emollient texture helps blisters to heal by forming a protective barrier, reducing friction and speeding up the healing process. For minor burns, coconut oil's anti-inflammatory properties can soothe the skin and help minimise scarring. Its antibacterial nature also offers extra protection against infection.

Psoriasis, superficial burns, blisters	Mix 1 drop of lavandin super essential oil and 1 drop of camphor rosemary essential oil with a small dab of shea butter. Add half a hazelnut of vegetable coconut oil. Apply a thin layer morning and night for 1 to 2 weeks. From age 7.
Refreshing care for dry, chafed and blister-free feet	Add just 1 drop of peppermint essential oil to a hazelnut-sized amount of vegetable coconut oil. Apply a little of this protective treatment to the areas of friction between the foot and the shoe (heel, arch of the foot, top or side of the toes, etc.). From age 15.

Can coconut oil be used as a natural lubricant?

Some commercially available lubricants are formulated with various preservatives, some of which, such as phenoxyethanol and propylparaben, are potentially considered endocrine disruptors. In search of alternatives, many consumers are opting for more natural solutions, such as coconut oil, to use as an intimate lubricant.

It's important to note that coconut oil may not be compatible with all types of latex condom. Coconut oil has emollient properties and can provide effective lubrication, but it can also alter the integrity of the latex, making it more likely to break.

If you don't use latex condoms, coconut oil can be a natural and economical option as an intimate lubricant. However, it's a good idea to test a small area of skin first (in the crook of your elbow or on the back of your hand) to make sure there's no allergic reaction.

However, while this alternative can be an asset in cases of vaginal dryness, it can also be synonymous with the risk of infections such as mycosis or vaginosis.

If you wish to use coconut oil as a lubricant, we recommend that you choose a quality coconut oil, i.e. one that is cold-pressed and organic. A cold-pressed oil is considered a guarantee of quality for vegetable oils.

It's also important to note that coconut oil can stain and be difficult to clean off sheets or clothes. If you choose to use coconut oil as a lubricant, be sure to wash the area thoroughly after use.

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Warning: This article is intended as a guide and in no way replaces the advice of a doctor, pharmacist or other health professional.
For any therapeutic use, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Refer carefully to the contraindications and precautions for use for each essential oil. If in doubt, consult a health professional.


Sources: Extracts from the books ‘Aromathérapia, le livre des huiles essentielles’ and ‘HUILES ESSENTIELLES, HUILES VÉGÉTALES & HYDROLATS : Mes indispensables’, by Isabelle Pacchioni, published by Editions Aroma Thera, and the book ‘Automassages aux huiles essentielles, guide visuel’ by Isabelle Pacchioni, published by Editions Leduc.s.