Is cooking coconut oil good for your skin

Using coconut oil for skin care couldn't be easier—or more budget-friendly. Smooth on a simple DIY face mask twice weekly to hydrate, minimize wrinkles and enjoy smoother, younger-looking skin.

The media’s buzzing about using coconut oil in cooking (here are our top 10 coconut recipes), but did you know you can use coconut oil for skin care, too? Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits of using coconut oil on your face and an easy DIY face mask recipe you can make from ingredients right in your pantry.

Is it OK to use coconut oil on your face?

If you have slightly dry or sensitive skin, say hello to your new best friend. Coconut oil provides extra hydration as an all-natural light moisturizer for younger, radiant-looking skin. Not only is it effective for smoothing out rough elbows or soothing chapped hands, using it on your face helps to reduce redness, minimize wrinkles and calm your complexion. Coconut oil’s high content of vitamins and antioxidants promote cellular repair and prevent moisture loss. However, if you are prone to breakouts (and even if you’re not), make sure you test a small patch of skin first. Also, it’s important to use raw, organic, cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil to avoid additives or chemicals that could irritate the skin. Always keep cooking and skin care coconut oil containers separate to avoid cross-contamination.

Does coconut oil absorb into skin?

Yes. Because cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids which quickly absorb into the skin, many expensive retail face creams and lotions use coconut oil as a base.

Can you put coconut oil on your face overnight?

While you can smooth a very thin layer of cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil over your face and leave it on overnight, you do run the risk of leaving an unsightly oil stain on your pillowcase. To reap the benefits of coconut oil, try using this DIY coconut oil face mask twice weekly after a shower or before bed as an easy path to smoother, more supple skin.

Why use a coconut oil face mask?

A coconut oil face mask is an easy and inexpensive way to supply your skin with extra moisture and improve its texture. The addition of other skin-loving ingredients like plain yogurt, which contains lactic acid and helps with exfoliation and wrinkle reduction, as well as raw honey, which acts as a natural humectant that helps retain water in the skin, triples the benefits of this simple skin care treatment. And all the ingredients can come from your pantry.

DIY Coconut Oil Mask

Shutterstock / BLACKDAY

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 Tbsp. raw, organic, cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp. plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp. raw honey

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. In a small microwavable bowl, melt coconut oil in the microwave for just a few seconds to soften.
2. Stir in plain yogurt and raw honey until well blended.
3. Smooth the mixture onto your face and neck with gentle upward circles, avoiding the eye and lip area. Leave on for 15 minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water. Rinse with cool water. Follow with the moisturizer of your choice.
5. Use twice weekly.

Makes 1 mask.

And here are more ways to use coconut oil in your beauty routine.

Want more homemade beauty solutions? Follow Taste of Home on Instagram (@tasteofhome) and stay tuned for more updates from the Beauty Pantry.

No time to DIY? Try Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Face Mask

Available on Amazon ($7).

Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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