I know that I’ve mentioned it before, but coconut oil has been the saving grace for my skin. I’ve always struggled with dry skin and eczema, which can be absolutely torturous in the winter. Out of desperation one night, I reached for the jar of coconut oil in our pantry. I didn’t know what else to do. I was ready to claw off the skin on my face momentarily, and needed something. Anything. I totally expected to wake up with a face full of pimples, but I was desperate and truly at my wits end.
Believe it or not, I didn’t wake up with pimples. Instead I woke up with my skin feeling calm. I would have paid a million bucks for that soothed skin. So, feeling hopeful, after I washed my face that next evening, I rubbed a little more coconut oil between my palms, and gently pressed it into my face. The oily feeling only lasted a few minutes, before my skin quickly absorbed it all. The next morning, no pimples again. And the red irritated skin on my face looked calm and soothed. I continued doing this ritual every day, wondering if my red, irritated, itchy, burning skin would return, or if I had hit the jackpot with the coconut oil.
I am happy to report that I have been doing this routine for several years now, and it’s still working! I do change up my facial cleansers periodically, always looking for something natural, without chemicals, parabens and fragrances (and that’s vegan too). But, I only use coconut oil as my moisturizer. I have not had any pimple breakouts (other than a twice yearly visitor which is most likely caused by cuddling with my dog), and my skin is calm and happy. I did have the occasional flair of eczema, but I could quickly soothe and calm it, without the feeling that I wanted to claw off my skin.
One thing that I also did about halfway through this routine (exactly 1 year ago), was to completely go off gluten, as I was getting horrible stomach distress everytime I ate it. I don’t know if it was a coincidence or not, but once I went completely off the gluten, I haven’t had another outbreak of eczema. I’m not suggesting that you obstain from gluten, I’m just sharing my experience. I still use the coconut oil as my daiy moisturizer and love it. I buy a big jug of organic coconut oil at Costco for something like $20, which lasts forever and has a wonderful tropical smell. And, I’m saving a fortune on face cream too.
Oh, and coconut oil also makes a fab body moisturizer too.
I can’t say that this will work for you too, but I can say that I am happy as can be. Plus for $20, it’s a win win!
Hi Julie, this is good to know! I have terrible flare ups of eczema year-round. Do you use it all over yr body, or only on yr face?
Also, using oil on yr face, do you worry about sunscreen at all? I also have a family history of skin cancer and I’ve always heard that oil is terrible to put on yr skin if you are going to be in the sun. Do you use anything else for during the day?
I do use it on my body too. Maybe try using it at night, and then sunscreen in the morning? I do use sunscreen, but not as much in the winter because of all the rainy cloudy days in Oregon. I haven’t found the oil to be an issue with the sunscreen, but I don’t use it under the sunscreen either.
Coconut oil saves my hands every winter! So, so much cheaper than fancy lotions, and more natural, too! Plus I love the smell. I have always wondered if it was “safe” to use on my face since I am pimple-prone. But I guess I should give it a try! Thanks, Julie!
I loved reading about your experience with Coconut Oil. I have done the same thing. It is
interesting to how natural ingredients can be the best medicine for so many ailments. In addition to using coconut oil as a moisturizer, I recently started experimenting with something even more amazing. In addition to a little patch of eczema and lots of dry skin, I also have developed a terrible rash of red bumps on both legs and even worse on the tops of my feet. I had it checked out and even OHSU was not sure what caused it, though I am fairly certain it is yet one more symptom of my autoimmune problems. I was given steroid cream to use which I tried for a while to no avail, and then decided I did not want steroids soaking into my skin any longer.I thought I was going to have to live with this condition the rest of my life. Then one day, after eating a banana, I got the crazy idea to rub some of the banana skin onto my legs. It has done me more good than any prescription medicine. Go figure!
Becky, I was just thinking about rubbing banana peel on my face the other day! Haven’t heard of anyone doing it. I currently use coconut oil and love it. Let me know if you try it on your face 🙂
Just wondering what brand and where you get your coconut oil from?
I’ve been trying to decide which to get-I’ve read different things about refined vs. unrefined, virgin and extra virgin, organic etc. It’s all so confusing! Im just afraid of my skin breaking out and getting worse using the wrong kind.
Thanks
I tend not to drop a lot of responses, but i did a
few searching and wound up here Coconut Oil For Skin Care | Julie’s Kitchenette.
And I do have some questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it just me or does it look like some of the responses appear like left by brain dead people?
😛 And, if you are writing at additional places, I’d like to follow anything new you have to post.
Would you list of the complete urls of your shared sites like your linkedin profile,
Facebook page or twitter feed?