Composition of coconut oil
The rich composition of coconut oil explains its widespread use in cosmetology. The greatest value is the product that was obtained by cold pressing and has not been subjected to a refining process. It is he who retains all the most useful components that have a beneficial effect on the skin.
The product is a mixture of acids, the main part of which is lauric acid (about 54%). A minority of the composition (approximately 20%) is myristic acid, which is rarely found in products produced in cold regions. The remaining acids of the composition are presented in smaller proportions:
- palmitic;
- linoleic;
- stearic;
- oleic;
- hyaluronic
The product is also high in vitamins: A, C, E.
Benefits of coconut oil for pregnant skin
Since most girls, being in an “interesting situation,” try to use only natural cosmetics for body care, coconut oil will be an excellent solution when choosing a suitable product for stretch marks and cellulite. These two unpleasant phenomena can ruin a girl’s appearance during pregnancy and after childbirth .
The product affects the skin as follows:
- promotes increased production of elastin;
- relaxes;
- prevents dehydration;
- gives elasticity;
- accelerates the regeneration process.
The beneficial properties of the oil help prevent and combat the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite.
Does coconut oil help with stretch marks and cellulite?
The components included in this product have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Pregnant girls often face the problem of stretch marks and cellulite in the second trimester. This is due to the active growth of the fetus and, accordingly, the abdomen. The skin begins to stretch rapidly. To avoid the appearance of unsightly stripes, it is recommended to use coconut oil regularly from the first trimester - the skin will be prepared for heavy loads.
Coconut oil helps fight existing young stretch marks left after childbirth. In this case, you need to apply the product more often.
Fight stretch marks with essential oils
The ingredients used to prepare a remedy for stretch marks can be very different. The main thing is that they suit your skin type. In this regard, coconut oil is universal: a properly selected additive will enhance the effect and speed up the process. Mixing different oils is completely acceptable. Coconut and apricot oils go very well together. You can add grape seed or olive oil. It is enough to mix a few drops, rub into the area containing stretch marks and wait until completely absorbed. It will take no more than 10-15 minutes. The habit of regularly rubbing a few drops of unrefined oil before bed will make stretch marks less noticeable. The property of coconut oil to quickly penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and its high content of saturated fats helps strengthen cell membranes and effectively protect against free radicals.
Important to consider! Try using essential oil against stretch marks. Here's our top 10!
How to use coconut oil for stretch marks during pregnancy
To prevent the appearance of stretch marks, pregnant girls should treat all those places where the skin stretches the most with coconut oil in the early stages of pregnancy. The product is applied to the thighs, stomach, lower back, chest and gently rubbed in a circular motion. Particular attention is paid to breast massage. It has been proven that if it is carried out regularly during pregnancy, then when the baby is born, the mother will not have problems with lactation. The nipples are also lubricated with oil to prepare for the feeding period. The nipples will not crack, this will avoid extremely unpleasant sensations.
Coconut oil can be applied to the body and problem areas:
- while taking a shower, when the skin is steamed and ready to quickly absorb the composition;
- overnight, leaving until morning.
Coconut oil in its pure form is used daily, and if stretch marks appear, twice a day.
Coconut oil massage
A massage using this miraculous remedy will not only help to avoid the appearance of unsightly stripes on the body after childbirth, but will also become one of the most favorite and enjoyable procedures. The massage is carried out after taking a warm shower, which helps open the pores. This will allow the oil to be absorbed faster into the skin.
Coconut oil itself is very beneficial, but additional components will help increase the effectiveness of home treatments and enhance its effects.
With essential oils
A mixture of aromatic oils can be an excellent prevention of stretch marks or a means of combating them if they have already appeared. If your body doesn’t have a similar problem yet, you can add your favorite esters to the base – coconut oil. You will need literally 1-2 drops of ether. If stretch marks have recently appeared, it is recommended to use extracts of rose, neuroli, and orange first. Their action is aimed at increasing the elasticity of the skin, they prevent the appearance of new stripes.
In order for all the components of the mixture to mix well with each other, you need to warm them up a little in a water bath.
With aloe vera
Aloe itself is an effective remedy against stretch marks - it smoothes and moisturizes the skin. You can create an effective massage cream by mixing 100 g of aloe gel (available at the pharmacy) and coconut oil. The mass must be mixed until smooth. Additionally, it is recommended to add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Mix the cream again and transfer it to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. The composition is stored at room temperature and applied to the skin 1-2 times a day.
With vitamin E
Vitamin E helps maintain skin elasticity, so it is considered an excellent preventative against stretch marks. To prepare the healing mixture, you need to add 2 tbsp of coconut oil heated in a water bath. l. pour in 5 capsules of vitamin E.
The mixture is distributed over areas of the body with stretch marks, rubbed in with circular massage movements. To improve the effect, leave the mixture on the skin for another 10-15 minutes. Then the remaining composition is removed with a napkin or washed off with water.
Scrubs with coconut oil
Regular cleansing of the skin from old cells stimulates rapid tissue turnover, which, in turn, has a beneficial effect on its structure. The skin becomes elastic and elastic, denser, and therefore less susceptible to damage and tearing under heavy loads.
During pregnancy, girls try to use only natural products, the composition of which will not harm themselves or the fetus. Coconut oil with the addition of more solid components will be an excellent preventative against the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy. Peeling is given 5-10 minutes once a week.
With coffee
An aromatic tonic scrub that helps keep the skin elastic can be prepared at home. To do this, mix coconut extract and coffee grounds in equal proportions. In order not to constantly prepare the scrub, you can pour the resulting composition into ice trays and freeze.
Before you go into the shower, you need to take out one cube and wait until it melts. Then the paste is rubbed over problem areas and massage is performed in a circular motion for 5-10 minutes. After finishing the massage, the coffee scrub is washed off with warm water.
Important! To prepare the scrub, only fine and medium grind coffee beans are used. Larger particles can damage the skin, leaving microcracks on it.
The scrub can be prepared for future use and stored for a couple of months. When using coffee grounds as the main component, they are dried after finishing the hot drink.
With sea salt
Sea salt has a beneficial effect on the skin - it tightens, gives firmness and elasticity. Regular use of a scrub based on it will be an excellent prevention of the appearance of stretch marks after childbirth if you start using it in the early stages of pregnancy. Also, a scrub with coconut oil and sea salt will help fight cellulite; the consistency and appearance of the product, prepared yourself, can be seen in the photo below:
The preparation of the composition is very simple. You need to take sea salt and coconut oil in equal proportions. The second component is slightly heated, then sea salt is mixed into it and a massage is carried out.
Important! The finished mixture must be used fairly quickly so that the salt does not have time to dissolve.
Mask with coconut oil and turmeric
Turmeric has amazing abilities to stimulate blood circulation, resolve scars, scars, and eliminate cellulite. For pregnant women, it is recommended to prepare a mask of turmeric and coconut oil, distribute the mixture over problem areas and leave for 15 minutes. For every 40 ml of oil add 1 tsp. seasonings
Important! Turmeric stains the skin.
Product Application Options
The question arises about how to use coconut oil for cellulite and stretch marks. By evaluating photos of women who regularly used the product, we can talk about its effectiveness. If you want to achieve results faster, you can approach solving the problem comprehensively, using several methods at once.
In the fight against cellulite and stretch marks, you need to introduce coconut oil into your diet as a dietary supplement. A couple of spoons of the product can be eaten before physical activity or added to regular meals. It goes well with savory and sweet foods. Oil can be added to any drink, such as tea, coffee or milk.
It speeds up metabolism and the process of burning fat, which leads to getting rid of cellulite.
Side effects and contraindications
High-quality coconut oil cannot cause any problems, since its composition is completely natural. The only contraindication for use is personal intolerance. In this case, an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms of which will be itching, burning and discomfort in the area treated with the product.
To reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction (although it occurs extremely rarely, in isolated cases), the product can be diluted with other components, for example, olive oil.
During pregnancy, allergies can occur even to products that were previously used regularly and did not cause problems. This is due to changes in the body of a woman who is in an “interesting position.”
Reasons for appearance
There are several reasons for this type of problem, namely:
- hormonal changes occurring in the body of the expectant mother due to the fetus, which is actively developing. At this time, the skin practically does not produce collagen, which is why it becomes very dry;
- heredity that is not controlled by medical or cosmetic means;
- rapid uncontrolled weight gain, as a result of which the skin stretches.
Let's take a closer look at this product.
How to choose quality coconut oil
To choose a quality product, you need to follow simple rules:
- Assess the consistency: the oil becomes liquid at a temperature of + 25 0C. If it does not harden at lower temperatures, it means that chemical additives have been added to its composition.
- Assess color: When solid, the product is milky or slightly yellowish in color. The refined product may be white or yellowish.
- Assess the aroma: the refined product has no odor, the unrefined product has a light characteristic aroma. If there are impurities in the composition, the oil will have a strong chemical smell.
- Estimate shelf life: unrefined oil is stored for no more than 1 year, refined oil - a little longer.
It is better to purchase a product in trusted places, pay attention to the manufacturer’s brand, and when purchasing online, read all the reviews about it.
