My 50-something skin is, meh. Not so great. Gee, do you think it could have anything to do with the ‘80s when I, with my big ‘80s hair, would lay out in the sun for hours, slathered in Crisco oil?
So here I am now with skin damage. Wrinkles and gravity got me like, hmmmmm.
Enter: coconut oil.
Sure, coconut oil is a superstar as food. Check out some of the health benefits:
- Lowers cholesterol
- Stabilizes blood sugar
- Improves digestion
- Increases metabolism
- Helps protect against viruses
- Fights infections
- Aids thyroid production
- Balances hormones (did you hear that, ladies?)
But coconut oil applied directly on the skin? Look at this:
- Fights acne. Breakouts aren’t just for puberty, you know. Us mature girls occasionally deal with this, too. Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, helping fight the breakout blues.
- Helps improve aging skin.(Me! I need this!)
- Crisco oil + hours in the sun = no bueno.
- But coconut oil + daily use = bueno. More moisture is retained in the skin and thereby reduces the appearance of fine lines.
- It can also protect skin from UVA and UVB exposure. How cool is that?
- Bonus: your skin will glow and even smell pleasant. I always thought that laying in the sun with Crisco made me smell like popcorn cooking on the stovetop.
- Promotes the production of collagen. Collagen is a major player in skin health, as it helps heal damaged layers of skin. The new cells generated help skin to appear tighter. Girl, anything on us appearing tighter is probably a good thing at this point in our lives!
Slather coconut oil all over your body. You’ll be shiny and greasy for a few minutes (like those cool body builders), but your skin will absorb it in about 15 minutes. I’ve found that if I apply it about a half-hour before bedtime, that’s just about right. While I’m tidying up the kitchen, flossing and brushing my teeth, making my list for tomorrow, my skin absorbs it when I’m ready for bed.
Here’s a warning: our skin “eats” whatever is on it. With that in mind, make sure you choose organic coconut oil. This makes coconut oil a smart choice for skin care. You’re applying it topically, but realizing the health benefits internally. That’s a 2-fer. And it’s cheaper than the high-priced skin care offerings at your local department store. You savvy, sassy, coconutty gal!
What about you?
Have you ever used coconut oil for skin care?