Coconut is a very popular fruit in tropical areas. It grows on palm trees, which are the most cultivated in the world. Its hard shell hides a pulp rich in fiber and minerals. Its flavor and aroma make it a popular ingredient in recipes, smoothies, and ice cream.
Coconut oil has been around for some time and is a great ingredient in cosmetic product formulations.
Today we're going to tell you a little more about coconut, a tropical fruit that's not only delicious but also has great properties.
Chemically speaking, coconut oil has a unique fatty acid profile. Unlike many vegetable oils, which contain mostly unsaturated fatty acids (fatty acids with double bonds, such as linoleic or oleic), coconut oil is primarily saturated (fatty acids with only single bonds), and its most important fatty acid is lauric acid (about 50%). Saturated fatty acids have a linear structure that can stack tightly and are therefore typically solid at room temperature. Coconut oil melts around 25°C, so it melts on contact with the skin.
The saturated nature of coconut oil also means it is a heavy-duty oil ideal for dry skin types.
As for hair care, coconut oil has pretty solid research showing it penetrates hair very well (better than mineral oil and sunflower oil) and can prevent hair protein loss and styling damage. If you struggle with damaged hair or split ends, coconut oil is worth trying as a pre- and/or post-treatment.
Coconut oil may help with wound healing and has some antifungal activity.
If you want to know if a product contains coconut oil, you can look at the label and look for the INCI for Cocos Nucifera Oil.
And if you want, tell us in the comments your favorite products with coconut oil.
