Coconut oil has been used for centuries. People of different ages have been using Coconut oil to treat their skin. But one of the major concerns is “does coconut oil darken skin?”
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid. These ingredients make Coconut oil good for moisturizing your skin naturally.
Do you want to use Coconut oil as a moisturizer? But you are confused if Coconut oil will darken your skin, then keep reading. We’ll explain this myth.
We’ll also explain the benefits of Coconut oil and how you can apply it on your skin for maximum benefits.
What are the Skincare Benefits of Using Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil has many skin care benefits. It makes the skin soft, smooth and healthy. Some of the benefits of Coconut oil are here;
- Skin Moisturizing
Coconut oil is a natural skin moisturizer. You can use it for your dry and flaky skin. The different acids in coconut oil makes your skin hydrated and soft for hours.
- Prevents Skin Aging
If you are worried about skin aging, then coconut oil is the best solution. Coconut oil softens the skin and prevents skin aging. It helps in improving the skin texture and reduces the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines
- Heals Skin
If you feel irritation on your skin then coconut oil can give you relief. It naturally heals your skin. It contains antioxidants and Vitamin E that gives healthier and brighter skin.
- Used as Makeup Remover
Coconut oil is a natural makeup remover. If you don’t want to use different chemicals, then you can use coconut oil to remove their makeup. It will also give you a soothing effect and a glow to your skin.
- Natural Glow for Your Skin
Coconut oil provides a natural glow to skin. It gives you smooth and glowing skin. It moisturizes the skin to prevent dryness. It provides you with healthy skin.
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Can Coconut Oil Use as a Sunscreen?
Many people believe that coconut oil protects from UV rays of the Sun. However natural remedies can sometimes be more dangerous if not used in the right way.
Coconut oil gives less sun protection and does not block the UV rays from the skin. Therefore it also increases the risks of tanning.
As per the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the minimum SPF of the sun screen is 30. So you need to use sunscreen with a higher SPF. Coconut oil has 7 SPF value which is not enough to protect your skin from UV rays.
Also, Mayo clinic suggested that Coconut oil can only restrict 20% of UV rays out of Sun’s 97% UV rays. So you cannot use Coconut oil as a Sunscreen.
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What’re the Common Myths about Coconut Oil
There are many myths about Coconut oil. These myths stop people from fully getting the benefits of this amazing natural oil. Here are some common myths about Coconut oil that we’re going to debunk.
- Does Coconut Oil Darken the Skin?
One question that mostly appears is “Does coconut oil darken the skin?” Well, There is no scientific evidence that coconut oil really darkens the skin tone.
Many people show a concern that their skin gets affected due to coconut oil. This is due to several factors. If you apply coconut oil and directly go out in the sun then it will darken your skin. This is because coconut oil doesn’t act as a sunscreen.
Coconut oil has SPF below 10 and thus it does not offer protection to the skin against the harmful sun rays. UV rays need a high allowance of SPF to avoid bothering the skin. Using coconut oil during daytime can be risky. It gives you a more tanned and dark skin tone.
- Coconut Oil for Acne-Prone or Oily Skin
Is coconut oil safe for oily or acne-prone skin? Coconut oil is not recommended for individuals with greasy skin. Coconut oil clogs the pores and make the condition worse.
People with oily skin should be careful while using coconut oil. Because it clog the pores and trap the oil in the skin which can lead to blackheads and whiteheads.
Coconut oil can make your acne prone worse leading to acne breakouts. People.with acne-prone or oily skin shouldn’t use it.
How to Use Coconut Oil on Skin?
Coconut oil is used as a moisturizer for dry skin. It will nourish your skin. But if your skin is oily then you must reduce the amount of coconut oil because it can lead to breakouts and clogged pores.
To get the best results, apply a little amount of coconut oil on your skin for a small period of time and rinse it with normal water. It’s not recommended to leave it for too long or for overnight because it can result in greasy skin.
You should always do a patch test before fully applying it especially if it’s your first time using it.
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Which is the Best Coconut Oil for Skin?
The best coconut oil mainly depends on your skin type and the way you use it, but here are a few general guidelines that will help you choose best coconut oil:
- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:
Extra virgin coconut oil means the oil that is extracted without the use of any type of chemicals and is pure. It has the most properties of coconut oil which makes it best for your skin.
- Organic:
Organic coconut oil is the one that is extracted from those coconuts that are grown in an organic environment without use of any pesticides. So, it’s better to use organic oil instead of inorganic.
- Cold-Pressed:
Cold-pressed coconut oil is extracted at a temperature without any change in its natural properties. This temperature maintains all the beneficial properties of coconut oil.
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Conclusion
Coconut oil transforms dry and flaky skin to soft and moisturized. You can use Coconut oil to hydrate and soften your dry skin.
Many people ask this question, “Does Coconut Oil Darken Skin”. We’ve explained this myth in detail and there is no scientific evidence to support this myth.
You could not use Coconut oil as a Sunscreen. Due to its SPF value which is less than 10. It is always recommended to use a sunscreen with SPF above 30.
Frequently Asked Questions : Does Coconut Oil Darken Skin?
Q. Does coconut oil make your skin tone light?
Ans. Coconut oil gives you fresh and smooth skin. But, it does not change your natural skin tone.
Q. Does coconut oil reduce the tan?
Ans. Coconut oil doesn’t remove tan. But, it can increase your tan if you apply it in the daytime.
Q. Which oil darkens the skin?
Ans. Different oils such as mustard and olive oil give you a dark skin tone.
Q. What’re the skincare side effects of coconut oil?
Ans. You couldn’t apply coconut oil on greasy skin. It closes the pores of skin. It leads to blackheads and whiteheads.
Q. Can I apply coconut oil regularly?
Ans. You can apply it daily on your dry skin. Individuals who have greasy skin don’t use it.
Q. Can I keep coconut oil overnight?
Ans. Yes, individuals who have dry skin can keep it overnight. It hydrates the skin. It gives you soft and smooth skin the next morning.
Q. Does coconut oil eliminate dark circles?
Ans. Coconut oil decreases dark circles. It has anti-inflammatory properties. But, it doesn’t eliminate the dark circles.
