• Dry air
Dry air, especially during winter or inside air-conditioned rooms, is also one very usual factor that makes skin dry.
• Hot water
Prolonged exposure to hot water is not very good to skin as well. It is advised to lessen bathing with hot water and use lukewarm water.
• Rubbing
Avoid rubbing your towel against your skin because this also rubs away the natural oil left after bathing. Instead, pat your body dry with a towel.
If dry skin remains untreated, it will cause premature wrinkling of the skin, or worse, flaking and itching that will lead to bleeding and infection.
3.) Eczema
Eczema is an inflammation of the epidermis which appears like dry patches of the skin. Redness and swelling of the skin is experienced when a person has eczema.
Coconut oil for skin
As mentioned earlier, the skin secretes natural protective oils (this is called sebum produced by the sebaceous gland) that keep our skin moisturized. Sebum actually contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that fight germs when mixed with the good bacteria found on the skin. This provides an acidic environment for the skin keeping bad bacteria away.
Just like sebum, coconut oil contains MCFAs, thus coco oil can replace the washed off protective oil giving the skin a more lasting moisture. Lauric acid in MCFA is also an antimicrobial and antifungal agent.
Coconut oils are also a natural source of tocotrienols. Tocotrienols are antioxidants that reduce free radicals and many studies have shown that these antioxidants have an anti-cancer effect especially on skin and breasts.
Here are other good things you get from tocotrienols:
• Protection from the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin
• They accumulate at the outer most layer of the skin, the first line of defense against free radicals
How to do the coconut oil skin care?
Coconut oil may be used externally or may be taken internally.
Virgin coconut oil (also known as unrefined coconut oil or raw coconut oil) is best for skin application and as a nutritional supplement. This type of oil has not gone through mechanical processes that may eliminate the essential fatty acids that help protect the skin:
• For those who have skin disorder or disease, coconut oil is good for acne and eczema treatment, simply apply a sufficient amount of coconut oil on the affected area every day after a wash. Moisture is very important when a person is treating eczema. Coconut oil, when applied on the face, also melts the dirt that gets clogged in the pores. For more severe cases, apply coco oil more than once a day.
• Unrefined coconut oil may be used as massage oil before taking a shower. This also gives a soothing effect for a more relaxing bath.
• One can also use raw coconut oil skin moisturizer after a bath. Put an ample amount of the oil on your palm and apply it on your body. For best results, apply the oil on damp skin.
• Use coconut oil soap instead of using those usual bath soaps that are harsh to the skin; there are also bleach laundry soaps that contain coconut oil to prevent dryness of your hands
• Take three and a half tablespoons of virgin coconut oil every day. This helps boost your metabolism. A healthy digestive system improves the hormonal production and cell function and one effect is you get radiant skin.
