The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Introuble (Islamabad) on 03/21/2018
I have been using ordinary coconut oil for a year now, did see my skin glowing and it also helped me with my acne problem. But last week I switched to organic cold pressed oil, somehow there is outbreak of acne. What can be a reason for that?
Coconut Oil
Posted by Jim (Kerr County, Texas) on 01/17/2018
★★★★★
I have been using coconut oil for about 3 weeks & something amazing has happened. Now I have probably been taking a pretty large amount because most of the comments I read speak of table spoon sized portions.
I didn't really get any guidance on how much to expose my body to. Internally or externally. But I bet I have been ingesting far more than I read here.
Now don't do this yourself without competent guidance. By competent I mean don't necessarily believe everything that you hear & read. Just because someone has a website or a blog, doesn't mean they can be reliable. Like everything seek out people who are truly knowledgeable. So what I am saying is don't necessarily go by this.
I love the taste of the unrefined, expeller pressed oil. So I take a spoonful whenever I have it out. I take a spoonfull of it with fresh lemon juice, baking soda, & warm water in the morning. I read where you put it in coffee. That tastes pretty good. I usually have 3, maybe 3 cups of coffee. I have experimented with it as a margarine substitute. On top of that I scrub my face with it & a tiny portion of baking soda. I've been putting it in my hair. I use a mixture of honey & coconut oil on my face at night & in the morning I also use it as a moisturizer after I shave.
So no telling how much I have used in a day. Like I said I didn't know exactly how to use it.
I have not had any diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues.
Now the strangest thing has happened. I noticed 4 days ago my face had these bizarre white streaks. Coming down my forehead, collect around my eyes. Then the next day it was much more pronounced. There were indications of circulatory patterns in different areas on my face larger portions of my face looked like fresh, clean, brand new skin. There was a a kind of diffused light reflection, but there were still marked differences in the hue & texture of various places on my skin.
I could tell that these white areas were pronounced around the top of my eyebrows & the orbit of my eye sockets. It's like the fluids of the head & face gather & flow through the the eye sockets. I would say that 75% to 80% of the circulation of this white fluid flows through the orbit of the eyes & down the nose. The rest of it flows dawn the sides.
2 days ago things were weird enough that I took pictures, trying to give a visual. Naturally the digital image did not pick up the difference in color hue & contrast.
Now moving quickly forward, I did not change my intake. I still used a great deal moisturizing & cleaning my face. By now I feel like I have a new face. Almost every wrinkle is gone or much less pronounced. The texture color is uniform. I am not stark white.
But I feel like I look like I have New skin. I've never felt my face feel this way to the touch.
I am convinced that what I experienced was the detoxification of my facial skin. There were 2 patches the looked like there were blemishes but they are gone. The places where I was exposed to the sun are gone. My face is uniformly, healthy white in appearance. I am saying it that way because I want to make a distinction between ghostly white, unhealthy white & this. I guess that's what they call dewy skin.
So at first I thought it concerning to see triangle areas of my skin looking like it alway has.
I still plan to talk with my primary care physician to be sure I do no harm to other systems. I am more careful about how much I ingest but I am still using coconut oil in place if the usual Nivea lotion I normally put in my face.
Has anyone else experienced something like this? Or similar?
Anyway I wanted to share that.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Heather (Kentucky) on 01/03/2018
Coconut oil is NOT a drying agent. It is in fact ,the complete oposite. Coconut oil is full of vitamin E and if you know anything about vitamin E it is a natural moisturizer. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer. I'm not sure where you got your information.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Guamgurlly (Texas) on 10/24/2017
★★★★★
I use coconut oil daily after I shower I rub it all over my body and it truly does lighten your skin. I am from Guam but currently live in Texas. My aunt makes homemade coconut oil and when a relative visits she brings it back for me. It is truly phenomenally great for skin and also take a teaspoon place in your mouth around your gums and teeth leave it for 3-5 minutes and you will feel sensation in your gums and teeth. It cleaning all bacteria in your mouth, gums and whitens teeth. Awesome.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Caroline (Nigeria ) on 03/27/2017
★★★★★
Coconut Oil for the Skin
During summer use it only at night. I am talking from experience because Africa is hot. At first I use coconut oil in the day and when I go out in the sun it darkens me.I had to stop it and started using it only at night and trust me my black skin glows.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Caroline (Abuja, Nigeria ) on 03/27/2017
Victoria, you know Nigeria is hot. If you apply during the day it darkens you. You need apply it only in the night before sleeping and see the result.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Adewuyi Victoria (Lagos State) on 02/22/2017
Does it make you black or fair? because some people said it can make someone dark more. how true it is?
Coconut Oil
Posted by Leena Alloriya (India) on 02/03/2017
You can use it raw. It is good enough to use it like that. The fatty acids present in it adds luster to the skin and do make sure to drink lots of water as well. Both water and coconut oil provide much-needed hydration to skin to glow.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Helen (Nigerian) on 01/24/2017
★★★★★
I still can't believe that a cheap and ordinary oil like coconut oil can turn me to a little baby, before now, I have spent so much buying expensive cream, but t I thank God for making me discover this miracle oil.ever since I started using it, I have never looked back
Coconut Oil
Posted by Devika (Nagpur) on 12/26/2016
By only applying coconut oil skin glows or we have to mix something with it? Pls rply I want my skin to glow
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kaso (Glasgow, Uk) on 02/18/2015
★★★★★
Hello, I've been using virgin coconut oil for just a few days now and already I can see a slight difference in skin and energy. Looking like a very promising future with this oil.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Melissav (Chicago, Il) on 04/18/2014
It sounds like you had an allergic reaction to the coconut oil on your skin. I have had several contact dermatitis outbreaks on my face (not from coconut oil) and what you described sounds just like what I experience during those outbreaks. It is extremely uncomfortable. Don't worry, though. You can still safely ingest it. A dermatological sensitivity doesn't necessarily equal a systemic allergy. My skin is sensitive to mango, but I can still eat it as long as I don't get much of the juice on my face.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Norah (Boston, Ma) on 04/14/2014
★★★★★
I use coconut oil in the winter months on my skin. It's amazing! I've tried every oil as experiment, but this one works best for my dry sky. It doesn't leave a residue, which I like.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Alicia (Old Greenwich, Ct) on 03/17/2014
★★★★★
Hi everyone, I have been using coconut oil on my skin at night for the past 2 years. It is the best moisturizer! I use organic coconut oil and rub just a tiny amount into my palm to melt it and then massage my face with it. Every 5 days, I take a break from it and use no moisturizer. Seems to work best.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lilli (Kenmore, Wa) on 02/06/2013
★☆☆☆☆
You have to be careful with coconut oil. I love it for most things, but it makes my skin dry and I have oily skin.
If you read online you will see that coconut oil is used as a drying agent in soaps.
I do use Virgin Coconut Oil internally as it is good for many things including Parkinson's and other neurological issues. But I cannot use it as a skin cream.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Senjii (Hamilton, Ontario Canada) on 11/23/2012
I have never tried this remedy for problems skin on the face, However in an effort to find more natural products to clean my skin I discovered that baking soda mixed with enough Peroxide 3% to create a semi runny paste then gently massaged into the skin in a circular fashion for about 1-2 minutes depending on skin sensitivity, not only exfoliated the skin & Cleans the pores, then rinsed with tepid or cool water then patted dry left my skin not only feeling truly clean & fresh, it didn't dry the skin out either & had no side effects, as a result I now use this method as my total skin cleansing regimen.
This method also to my surprise was great for brushing my teeth, the side effect was interesting, where before I used a popular name brand toothpaste to rid myself of very sensitive teeth which of course did not work & make my teeth dull, the peroxide baking soda mix not only made my teeth brighter, but took care of the sensitive teeth. I suggest causion & Brush gently & be patient if yu try this, but do also research before hand to see if this is apropriate for you :)
Coconut Oil
Posted by Coregon (Medford, OR) on 10/16/2011
Actually coconut oil has properties in it that help protect your skin from the sun. It shouldn't be relied on as a total sun block, but it does have sunscreen properties. It will not make your skin photo (sun) sensitive.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado) on 08/12/2010
Francisca, I always dilute the ACV. I don't measure, but I put 1 or 2 "capfuls" into a glass and about twice the water. It might be 1 part ACV to 2 or even 3 parts water-- I'm not very picky about being accurate. I keep it on my bathroom counter and use it a few times a day, dabbing a new cotton ball in and wiping my face. I let it dry and then apply coconut oil to moisturize. On occasion I'll make the solution stronger if I feel as if my skin needs a "deeper" clean and treat it like a mini-peel. But be careful! Acid like ACV will cause burns if you're not careful and don't wash with water immediately when you've had too much. I also think that applying ACV will help coconut oil "sink in" better for those times when your skin is so dry that it won't absorb the oil (like on my legs). Just apply the diluted ACV, then add coconut oil. I haven't noticed a huge difference if I let it dry or not before moisturizing, either.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/10/2010
Tamara, I use the coconut oil in the winter like you do only I don't cut with a knife, I take little bits with my finger and apply on my skin or else I put it in a little jar and put the jar in my bath water or on a little of water in the wash basin but it is messier. When I do OP with it I just let it melt in my mouth, no problem! As far as the ACV as a toner, do you apply it directly, undiluted?
Coconut Oil
Posted by Anna (Philly, Pa, Usa) on 08/10/2012
★★★★★
Coconut oil is really great for abused skin! I doubt if anyone here will ever repeat what I have done but Virgin Coconut Oil might be used in something similar. I use some lotion when I'm already in bed, ready to fall asleep. It is dark of course. So 2 evenings in a row, I put on my face, chest and hands something that I ASSUMED to be a lotion with sand (it happens ass we use lotions at the beach too). On the third day I saw red blotches all over these parts and finally checked the botttle - it was EXFOLIATING SHOWER GEL. Great, isn't it? The skin looked terrible - like in some red reptile. But after a week of using Virgin Coconut Oil as lotion it was back to normal! Since then Virgin Coconut Oil is the best lotion as far as I'm concerned!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado) on 08/09/2010
★★★★★
I have coworkers always asking what I use that makes my skin glow so much, so of course I tell them about all of the fabulous benefits of coconut oil(as well as apple cider vinegar as a toner beforehand). In the winter time I let it get hard in the jar and use a butter knife to hack chunks out and then use it like a bar of soap- rubbing it all over my body after a shower. Its one of my favorite ways of using it. I guess I could also make the process less dangerous by pouring some melted coconut oil into an ice cube tray and using the cubes the same way.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/09/2010
London, I use coconut oil on my skin in the winter as well. I put it in a small jar and I put the jar in a bit of hot water or else, if I don't have the time, I just take a bit out of the jar with my fingers and as soon as it comes in contact with my skin it melts fast! Great moisturizer and a lot cheaper than what you buy in the shops. Great for the sun as well, I now have a deep tan which lasts forever and didn't burn at all! But as someone said here today not good against warts. It did nothing for me neither, only ACV!
Coconut Oil
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 08/08/2010
★★★★★
I don't know what it is about coconut oil, but it makes your skin GLOW. I use no other moisterizer on my body and face, and its incredible how soft and glowing my skin is. It smells great too. However, in the winter I have to use olive oil, or hemp, or flaxseed oil, because coconut hardens. Also great for sunburns.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Busymom (Smalltown, Sunflowerstate, Usa) on 05/29/2013
★★★★★
After suggestions on this website, I started using Coconut Oil as my moisturizer. I'm in my 30's and have never had a huge problem with acne, but after having kids, my skin is a little crazy. I'm clear 2 weeks of the month, and broke out 2 weeks of the month. I've spent $$ at the spa, facials, high-end otc potions...nothing. No change. I never would have thought that the answer was sitting in my kitchen cabinet! I clean my face with a gel face wash, tone with Hydrogen Peroxide (DON'T GET IT ON YOUR EYEBROWS!), then moisturize with coconut oil. I let it sink in for a few minutes, then dab off the oily areas with a clean facial cloth. It doesn't look oily throughout the day, and looks great under makeup. My acne is cleared (I've been doing this for 3wks), and no more red cheeks! My pores look tighter too.
Every other day I use a turmeric mask. 1/2 tsp turmeric, glob of honey, 1/2 handful of sugar, few drops of milk. Let it sit for 15 minutes, rinse and tone with H202 a few times to get the orange off. This has cleared my acne, and my skin is as soft as my baby's. All from ingredients in my kitchen!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dart8 (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 05/23/2010
★☆☆☆☆
While I am a fan of coconut oil generally, it has been a horrible experience for my face and, to a lesser extent, my chest.
Long ago I replaced almost all my cooking oils for coconut oil and am glad I did. I have recently begun taking a spoonful in my coffee every morning and am seeing some energy level increase. I love how it makes the skin on my body feel and it is helping with some cystic skin problems I had. But my face? Nightmare!
When I first applied it I was hoping to eliminate a few dry patches (likely exzema) and aid in my determination to not grow old so gracefully (am 52). Within about 24-36 hours my skin began to itch, redden, bubble and thicken. Everything I read said "stay with it - your skin is just eliminating toxins etc. It will all be better soon". Well I stuck with it for 5 days of extreme discomfort and self-isolation. Today I am throwing in the towel, washing it off and going back to my old routines. I wish I had a more positive report but this has been my experience.
I have been using Extra Virgin Coconut oil and when the redness started I began reducing the amount I used and when that didn't work I put lots on (trying to cover all my bases)... sadly, this just didn't work for me.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sp (Nashville, Tn) on 04/25/2010
★★★★★
Hi Blanche and Grace, thank you for your information!! It is very useful.
I recently have been adding VCO to the face oil mixture that I made and my face feels great. I used to spent $$$ on face creams, but since discovering EC, I have found a way to give my skin and face what it needs naturally and save a lot of money.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/06/2010
Hi Blanche, I am 52 and I wash my face with Alep soap (not a brand name, just a very old type of soap, Syrian I believe....). I don't know whether you can get it but it is partly olive oil and partly bay leaf oil. It is a great soap because it hydrates but it doesn't leave the skin oily. Sometimes I use coconut oil after washing with Alep soap. Here in France it is called Savon d'Alep and I believe that it is sold in many other countries too. I have also found it in Switzerland (we are lucky to leave in France but near Switzerland and Germany so we get the best out of three countries). Some people think that I am in my 30's.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, Usa) on 03/05/2010
Blanche I wanted to thank you for keeping your word when you said you would post about your experiment in couple of months. I was looking forward to hearing from you. That is great news!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Blanche (New Iberia, Louisiana) on 03/05/2010
★★★★★
Well, I wanted to report back on my experiment with coconut oil versus a well known moisturizer. These are the only products I used on my face for 2 months, except for makeup. I clean my face with a tiny bit of mild soap, and sometimes only warm water.
Wow. I examined both sides very carefully with a magnifying mirror in good sunlight and I see no difference. So:
Soft and smooth: BOTH SIDES
Elasticity: BOTH SIDES
Feel on skin: COMMERCIAL PRODUCT ABSORBED QUICKLY; VCO A LITTLE GREASY, WHICH I SOLVED BY GENTLY DABBING WITH A TISSUE THEN IT WAS OK.
Faded brown spots: VCO SLIGHTLY BETTER.
I'm going to finish the commercial product, but will continue to use the VCO, with perhaps a sunscreen on top. As far as my skin breaking out, couldn't test that because I am over 65 and don't have that problem anymore.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sultana (Birmingham, Uk) on 02/03/2010
thank you very much for a reply, I will try warming the coconut oil. Don't really want to try anything else as iv tried so many things and getting fed up now. What ive been doing is washing my face with warm water, applying vco then putting a warm damp flannel on my face. I leave that on for a couple of seconds then apply another layer of coconut oil. after a bit it still dries up but not as bad as before. I am slowly seeing a difference with coconut oil, its better than the other creams but I guess I'm just going to have to be patient. I have taking atleast 3tbsp a day with a glass of warm milk and definately noticed a difference. my hairloss has reduced and my gums aren't as sensitive as they used to be. Can I ask what brands are good?
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 02/02/2010
depending on your body and the climate where you live - coconut oil may not work well for very dry sensitive skin.
coconut oil is a cooling oil - meaning that it feels cooling to the skin and very dry skin needs more warming type oils.
try another oil - castor oil would be great, even extra virgin olive oil, or if you can find some cold pressed sesame oil that would be great too.
if you want to keep using the coconut oil i would suggest to supplement its use by adding some castor oil either mixed in or on top of it.
castor oil is also anti fungal and anti-inflammatory.
coconut oil only works for me in the warm weather. if i use it when it is cold here my skin seems to actually get drier and shrink up!
however in the summer it works great!!! oh and you could also try warming up your coconut oil too.
djh
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sultana (Birmingham, Uk) on 01/31/2010
Hi. Recently i have been suffering from really dry sensitive skin. I don't normally have this problem but iv been coming out with noticable dry red patches on my face. I have tried everything, but nothing is working. Iv started coconut oil, taking it internally and externally but iv found that it dries up really quickly. The rest of my skin is looking great but the patches are still dry and red. Maybe im using it wrong? for anyone else who has sensitive dry skin, please could you give me some advise on applying coconut oil. i really don't want to give up on it... thank you. x
Coconut Oil
Posted by Grace (Lowell, Boston, Usa) on 01/15/2010
★★★★★
I am 65 and I started using coconut oil on my face and under my neck. The sagging skin under my neck tighten and became firm. My face look younger and the skin firmer. I put the oil in the palm of my hands, and rub it on my face and neck, morning and night after washing my face. Use until results is shown. I used it for a couple of months, and will continue to use it because it works.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 01/06/2010
What a great idea!
I have been using VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) for about a month now on my face and body after my morning shower, and for the past week or so I have been melting a tablespoon of it in my coffee or food 2-3x a day.
I started out taking 1 tbsp a day for the first couple of days, and then added additional tbsp's working my way to three a day - I never had a problem with it, but wanted to play it safe!
Applying it topically - I really love the way it makes my skin FEEL - but I can't really tell if there is a huge difference in the way my skin actually LOOKS. I have had a couple of people comment, but that may be because I smile more, because I FEEL better from taking the VCO? Hard to tell at this point, but I plan on continuing the VCO FOREVER. Internally and externally - remember, your skin is your largest organ!
I can't wait to hear your results Blanche - please don't forget to post! :-)
(I'm not a Spring Chicken either - almost 50 here!)
Best,
Carly
Coconut Oil
Posted by Blanche (New Iberia, Louisiana) on 01/05/2010
I am fairly new to this site, and I think it is very interesting to hear about all the benefits gained by using natural substances for various ailments. I've been fascinated by all the posts from people who have used various natural oils for the face. I decided to do an experiment.
Today I bought a facial moisturizer from a well know product line that has 4 letters in the name. It is supposed to ease wrinkles, fade brown spots, and have skin looking younger within 2 months.
I decided to use that on the right side of my face, and virgin coconut oil on the left. I'll post the results in 2 months. I need to say that I am starting out with a few wrinkles and spots, since I am not exactly a spring chicken.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Bev (Long Beach, Ca) on 09/07/2009
★★★★★
Hi; I have been using Virgin Coconut Oil to oil pull for the past 2 to 3 months, 3 to 4 times per week for 20 minutes. I cannot believe how my skin looks all over. It's shinny all the time and soft. I don't use any topical lotions because I don't need to. I noticed when I get out of the shower, the water on my skin beads. There is no greasy feeling just soft. Hope this helps.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Elizabeth (New York, New York, Usa) on 09/04/2009
This is a reply to AKR from Jersey City:
As an alternative to coconut oil during summer months, try jojoba oil. It is lighter and more appropriate for warm weather and humidity, when our skin produces more of its own oils. But truthfully, coconut oil may only need an adjustment of application method to be used during summer months. You may want to try applying it when you first wake up, before completing the rest of your morning regimen (this gives it time to absorb). Then, with clean hands, give one last (quick--ten seconds or so) facial massage to press the oil deeper, and take a dry, soft cloth and sweep it over your face. Tissue can also be used, if preferred. This should effectively remove any excess, leaving just the coconut oil that your skin readily absorbed. A light dusting of cosmetic powder (or for those who do not wear makeup, any good skincare powder from a drugstore) applied afterward will even further reduce any shine or oiliness.
Coconut Oil
Posted by shygirllatina (Sun City, Ca,.U.S.A.) on 05/28/2009
I used coconut oil also in the evening and it also caused my skin to flush I didn't go out in the sun. I thought maybe it was just me also. Honey and bannana mashed and mixed together are also good for the skin. equal amounts of both.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Robin (Rural, VA) on 01/29/2009
Tr Aloe Vera Gel.
