How do we get the coconut oil?
Coconut oil is squeezed out from the walnut’s fennel which is this white part usually transformed into flakes. As in every oil, this one can also be refined (sometimes whitened and left without many nutrients) or unrefined i.e. extra virgin, which has all the vitamins and minerals. If in the coconut oil you look for skin caring qualities, you should use the extra virgin one. When kept cold, coconut oil turns into a buttery-like paste. In higher temperatures or in contact with your body, the oil melts and turns into a fragrant but colourless liquid.
Coconut oil qualities.
Unrefined coconut oil smells beautifully, but its biggest advantage is its richness in laurel and caprylic oil. These substances have antibacterial, antifungal and antivirus qualities. So indeed, the coconut oil seems to be a perfect care product for the oily skin – which is full of surprises that we want to pacify, not spread all over our face! Also, coconut oil is packed with vitamins such as E, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, folic acid, zinc, potassium, iron and linoleic acid. It’s made of small parts which are easily absorbed by the skin.
Why remove your makeup with coconut oil?
Supporters of the coconut oil base their opinion on the simple rule that similar things attract each other – so it can be used as a makeup remover especially for those, who have oily skin. It means that the coconut oil will mix with our own grease and dissolve all the makeup, even waterproof mascara. Thanks to its consistency, it will not harm the hydrolipidic film. Nissiax83 likes how fast it works and that it doesn’t irritate the skin. Red Lipstick Monster likes how the coconut oil easily removes even waterproof cosmetics leaving the skin well moisturised. Some other bloggers also praise the oil saying that it’s great for removing the eye makeup – supposedly it strengthens eyelashes and gently moisturises the skin. What are their tricks on using the coconut oil as eye makeup remover?
How to remove makeup with coconut oil?
- Put a small portion of coconut oil (in solid state) on a cotton pad, place on your face, massage gently and rub the oil off your ace with another cotton pad. Repeat as many times as you need to clean your skin. At the end, use a cleansing gel or soap suitable for your skin type. Then rinse your face with water.
- RLM gives another advice for eye makeup removal: mix coconut oil with micellar water. Mix both on a cotton pad and use to remove makeup from eye area.
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You can also melt the coconut oil in your hands and massage your face with your fingers until complete makeup dissolution. Then, gather it from your face with a cotton pad. Finally, use your favourite toner.
What do the experts say?
Surely, coconut oil removes makeup very quickly (we tested it ourselves!). However, not everybody agrees it has a positive effect on our skin. A lot of people point to it leading to dryness, blocked pores and even irritation after a long-time usage. Let us back it up with a quote:
„Coconut oil dries the skin. Even up to a point that after long-term usage it causes wrinkles because it’s a heavy oil to be used on skin. It can even cause pimples and irritation in the lip and eye areas”.
Sometimes, Gazeta Wyborcza also fights with the myth of magical coconut oil qualities. Bożena Społowicz, who is a skin coach, openly criticizes any form of using the oil on the face saying that it may worsen the acne, dry the skin and speeden its aging processes. It seems that Bożena is supported by a dermatologist Ewa Chlebus.
„There are two direct negative effects the coconut oil has on the skin. First, it blocks the hair follicles. Thick oil sticks to the stratum corneum, reaches the hair follicle and blocks it creating an inflammation around it. It’s the same mechanism as with acne. It creates pimples, lumps and sometimes even itching.“
Indeed, the coconut oil as used for makeup removal is not emulsified by anything. It will mix with natural grease of our face, but we should also remember about the hydrolipidic construction of our skin. It means that when we wash and moisturise our skin, we should remember about its two layers - aqueous and fat. That is why, oils aren’t used solo, just as the humectants aren’t used solo. Instead of the coconut oil it is actually better to use special mixtures of washing oils or makeup removal milks which will please both dry and oily skins.
What about your experiences? Did you actually like using the coconut oil in your makeup removal routine? Let us know in the comments below.
We also have other tips for eco makeup removal. Check them out here (click).
(http://pl.glov.co/blog/glov-blog/eko-demakijaz-twarzy-jak-dbac-o-skore-bez-uzycia-chemii)
