By Louise McCoy
Epoch Times Staff
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/45955/
If you had a choice of remedies for acne, would you choose lauric-acid-filled nanobombs delivered by gold nanoparticles straight to the membrane of the offending acne bacteria? Or would you choose to apply coconut oil to your face and let nature take its course?
Lauric acid is only one of the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral substances in coconut oil. If you chose the nanobombs, go to Sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100414184224.htm.
One would wonder why anyone would choose a medication using nanoparticles to deliver part of a natural substance (coconut oil) that contains even more ingredients with skin-healing properties: capric acid and vitamin E. Although nanoparticles are now being used to deliver medications to certain bodily sites, their long-term side effects are little-known.
On “Coconut Oil Reviews,” Acne.org/coconut-oil-reviews/474/page5.html, 28 people shared their experiences using unrefined, organic, extra-virgin coconut oil.
Acne, well-known to almost every teenager, is an inflammation of the oil glands, especially on the face. It seems counterintuitive to put oil on skin already oily, and many people hesitated using coconut oil for that reason. But after trying it, they were pleasantly surprised to see their skin become more normal.
Not all of them had acne—some had dry skin or eczema—but most of them were benefited even though there were several individual methods of application. Some would wash their face, apply a little oil, either steam their face or just wait a few minutes, and then wipe it off. Others left it on overnight.
There was a wide variation in sensitivity to the oil. Four people found coconut oil made their acne worse, but most found the oil brought noticeable improvement.
The benefits they reported, along with clearing up acne, were healing scars, making pores smaller, and causing wrinkles to disappear. Generally, the total health of the skin is enhanced by coconut oil.
Although acne was greatly improved or cured in 21 cases, some broke out in whiteheads and stopped putting the oil on their faces. One waited two weeks before stopping. Others felt this was a detoxifying event and allowed the whiteheads to clear up.
Several people felt the oil was unsuitable to put on the face, at least at first, and used it on legs, arms, hands, and feet. For those who can put coconut oil on their faces, it does not cause the eyes to smart as many creams and oils do. Some chose to eat it—from 2 to 6 tablespoons a day, in smoothies, on ice cream, in soups, or just plain
Coconut oil has not been widely recommended by the media. One person had had acne for 25 years before discovering this use of the oil. For others, it was 12 and 7 years.
Coconut oil is very greasy and shiny when first applied, which almost everyone listed as a con. This did not prevent some from rubbing it all over their bodies after a shower, putting on flannel sleepwear, going to bed, and waking up with silky skin in the morning.
The oil is a solid up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer than that, it becomes liquid. Most people found a little bit goes a long way. Since it is nontoxic, it can be applied daily, even several times a day.
“Coconut Oil Reviews” mainly addressed coconut oil and acne, but many other skin conditions respond to coconut oil. See: Coconutdiet.com/skin_health.htm. It could be the dermatologist’s best friend or worst enemy. After a while, people would tell their friends, and, since it isn’t a prescription item, dermatologists might have to take up another specialty.
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Coconut oil is oil from mature coconuts. It has been used for food for hundreds of years, but many people are not aware it can be used externally to fight acne and other skin conditions, such as eczema.
(From: http://ezinearticles.com/?Coconut-Oil-For-Acne&id=4090233)
How coconut oil treats acne?
The idea that applying oil on the skin could help acne sounds absurd at first - most people with acne want to have less oil on their skin.
But it takes more than excess sebum to cause acne, and that helps to explain how coconut oil can help with acne.
To get acne you need two things: blocked pores and inflammation. It's inflammation that turns blocked pores into red and angry pimples. You get inflammation when your immune system attacks the bacteria residing in blocked skin pores.
Coconut oil helps to prevent inflammation, and hence it can also prevent acne.
The magic is in two fatty acids, lauric acid and capric acid. On the human skin these are converted into anti-bacterial and anti-viral substances. To put it simply. Coconut oil kills the acne causing bacteria on the skin. And with the bacteria gone there's nothing for your immune system to react to. This means less inflammation and less acne.
Coconut is also rich in vitamin E, which is a well-known skin nutrient. Vitamin E helps to soothe inflammation and repair skin damage.
So it does the same thing all those expensive skin creams claim to do.
How to use coconut oil for acne
Using your preferred cleanser clean your skin thoroughly. Don't skip this step as it can lead to more acne!
Steam your face by putting a towel over your head and leaning over a bowl of hot water.
Massage a small amount of coconut oil on your face.
Wring out a facecloth in hot water and drape it over your face. This allows the oil to go deep into the skin.
Wait for a minute or two and and wipe your face clean.
Using coconut oil this way also helps to get rid of acne scars.
Goodness from the inside out
The goodness of coconut oil is not limited to external use. It's also a great friend in the kitchen. Coconut (and its oil) not only tasted good, but it can help acne and your overall health.
It helps your body to fight Candida and yeast infections (both of which are linked to acne). It soothes chronic inflammation and helps to prevent blood sugar spikes. Chronic inflammation and blood sugar swings are the main factors behind adult acne.
Warning, not suitable for everyone
Though many acne victims swear by coconut oil, it's not for everyone. In some cases it can make your acne worse.
It seems that coconut oil can stimulate the skin glands to produce more sebum. This can cause more acne for some people, and especially if your skin pores are blocked. That's why it's important to clean your face thoroughly before applying the oil.
Unfortunately there's no way to know in advance how your skin reacts. So starts slowly and see what happens.
Not an end all and be all acne treatment
Coconut oil is by no means a be all and end all acne treatment. Please keep in mind that acne is an internal problem. Blocked pores and pimples are just a symptom of deeper issues (such as blood sugar swings and chronic inflammation).
To get over adult acne permanently one has to take a holistic approach that takes into account your diet, lifestyle and emotional health (stress).
Coconut oil will not solve the root cause of acne. But it can help to keep your acne under control while you correct the underlying problems.
