Coconut Oil, Friend or Foe?
September 1st, 2017
If you’re struggling with acne, I’m willing to bet you’ve tried #allthethings from prescription meds and fancy serums, to food masques and facials.
Maybe you’ve even experimented with holistic remedies like tea tree oil but still can’t figure out what’s going on with your skin!
I know natural products are all the rage (and that’s a good thing), but just because something is natural doesn’t always mean it’s safe or a good choice for acne-prone people (hello coconut oil and baking soda)!
Have you tried coconut oil on your skin?
I’ve been hearing from a lot of clients lately that experimenting with coconut oil ended up making their breakouts worst!
This is a common mistake I hear ALL the time and it’s not surprising considering all the press that coconut oil gets in the natural beauty world.
So is coconut oil actually a good thing to use on your face?
The answer depends on your particular skin type. If you have very dry, mature skin and never have to worry about breakouts then coconut oil might work wonders for you.
But…if you’re prone to acne and breakouts I’d use caution! Coconut oil is very comedogenic, meaning that it clogs pores easily!
Some great oils to try instead that won’t clog pores are jojoba oil, hazelnut oil, rosehip oil and grapeseed oil.
If you have a tub of coconut oil lying around and don’t know what to do with it, here are 3 ideas:
- Use it as a body (not face) moisturizer
- Apply as a deep conditioning treatment for your hair
- Put some in your hot cocoa, green smoothie or oatmeal
Another natural ingredient you’ve probably seen in lots of DIY pinterest recipes is baking soda as an exfoliator and this one really makes me cringe.
It sounds natural and harmless. I even used it myself years ago before I knew better.
Truth is baking soda will dry out & irritate your skin. It might even cause a rash or temporary “leathering” effect to your skin (yikes!). The reason for this is that the pH of baking soda is very different (much more alkaline) than the pH of your skin. It’s not compatible and not a good thing to use.
Don’t make the mistake of trusting every DIY skincare recipe you see online. Your skin is not a science experiment.
If you’re ready to stop the “trial and error” phase and spare yourself more wasted time on google, I’d love to help!
Sign up HERE for a complimentary clear skin strategy session and we’ll chat all about your skin concerns & discuss simple changes you can make to start healing your skin and feeling good NOW!