The benefits of coconut oil on skin are a continuous topic of interest. The presence of coconut oil seems to be everywhere nowadays, from recipes to alternative natural healthcare and even DIY hair masks. So why is there so much hype around it? Coconut oil has been utilized for generations and has a long tradition in Asia, where communities often used it for cooking and beauty treatments.

When it comes to skin application, there have been constantly linked benefits of using coconut oil, including reducing inflammation and keeping your body well moisturized. Not only this, but the anti-microbial properties found in coconut have even been seen to protect against harmful bacteria and the growth of acne.

However, for some, the direct application of coconut oil onto the skin can be too intense, so another option is to incorporate some coconut-oil containing products into your skincare regime. Some of these include CBD Coconut Lotion and CBD Invigorating Salve available from ShopCBD.

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is sourced from coconuts and is 100% fat, with around 80% of it being saturated fat and only trace amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

It’s primarily used in cooking or making baked treats due to its rich, earthy flavor and supposed numerous health benefits, most of which are still under review. However, there is also a rise in incorporating coconut oil into a haircare or skincare routine. Its firm texture at room temperature also allows easy application. Due to this, coconut oil has been touted as the most versatile of all the plant oils.



Four Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has numerous wide-ranging benefits, from contributing to skin health and appearance to healing and anti-microbial properties. Read on to find out more about these benefits, detailed below.

Coconut Oil Can Reduce Inflammation.

Coconut oil can reduce inflammation when both consumed and applied to the skin. It does this by improving antioxidant status, which can help stabilize the free radicals within the body that lead to oxidative damage and inflammation (1). Lowering inflammation is vital, especially for skin health, as it is a significant component of many skin issues, including eczema and psoriasis. Coconut oil contains many antioxidants that help fight against oxidative damage, therefore increasing your skin’s health.

Coconut Oil Can Moisturize Dry Skin

One of the most common reasons for using coconut oil is to help moisturize dry skin. Having hydrated skin is essential, as this helps to preserve its barrier function so that bacteria can be kept out. Well moisturized skin also enhances scar healing and overall skin health. A two-week study involving patients with dry skin compared the effects of coconut oil to mineral oil, a petroleum-derived, and commonly used oil to treat dry skin. Coconut oil was found to be just as effective as mineral oil for skin hydration, and that coconut oil use showed significant increases towards overall skin health (2).

Coconut Oil Can Kill Harmful Microorganisms

Coconut oil contains fatty acids that have anti-microbial properties, ideal for killing harmful microorganisms. Because fungi or bacteria cause many types of skin infections like athlete’s foot, controlling these microorganisms is vital. So how does coconut oil combat this? With its lauric acid content. One study tested 30 types of fatty acids and their antibacterial properties against many different strains of bacteria. It was found that Lauric acid was the most effective in reducing bacteria growth (3).

Coconut Oil May Help With Wound Healing

Coconut oil’s microbial properties have been linked to decreased infection rate, a risk factor in the healing process that can alter results. Animal studies have also confirmed the positive effect of coconut oil on wounds. A 2010 study used rats to show the impact of coconut oil application on the skin and how this subsequently affected wound healing. The results showed that the treatment of the wounds with coconut oil was successful in speeding up recovery. Not only this, but coconut oil application also improved antioxidant status and increased the protein levels, both of which help speed up wound healing (4).

CBD and Coconut Oil: An Amazing Combination For Your Skin

Now that we know about coconut oil and its benefits, how can we incorporate some into our lifestyle? One option is to apply coconut oil onto the skin directly, however for some, the somewhat strong smell and thick texture may be off-putting. Another option is incorporating some coconut oil containing skincare products into your daily regime. The addition of coconut oil to skincare products means coconut oil can work in synergy with other skin-loving compounds for added benefits. One such compound is CBD. Synergy occurs when two or more compounds can work together in a way that produces effects and results more significant than if they were to do it by themselves. CBD and coconut oil is an excellent example of a synergistic pair.

Because cannabinoids from cannabis are fat-soluble, having them infused with a saturated fat enhances CBD bioavailability and, therefore, effectiveness. Many CBD oils are combined with coconut oil as this plant oil contains exceptionally high amounts of saturated fat, perfect for breaking down and carrying CBD molecules. This means more cannabinoids can be taken to our cells and effectively absorbed. Because of this, the pairing of CBD and coconut oil is a fantastic pairing for skin health.

Our Favorite CBD Skincare Products Containing Coconut Oil

CBD Lotion Coconut by GRN Hemp Extract is available online from ShopCBD and is a perfect daily use option. This THC-free lotion combines hydrating plant oils, including coconut and avocado, with 250mg of broad-spectrum CBD. Its fast-absorbing formula and incredible coconut scent make this lotion a great addition to your self-care routine. If you’re looking for an excellent option to soothe aching muscles alongside providing great hydration for your skin, look no further. CBD Invigorating Salve from Pure Spectrum combines hydrating plant oils with medicinal oils, including coconut and arnica oils, alongside 250mg of full-spectrum CBD to relieve and treat your tired muscles.