I first met Dr. Alina Sholar while I was in Austin this winter. It was time for a little touch up (if you know what I mean) and she was recommended to me by a beautiful Instagram friend who lives in the area. Dr. Alina is a plastic surgeon with an artistic bent and a keen eye. I was excited to hear what she had to say about the composition of my face. Everybody has a slightly different way of looking at things, and I am always awed by the artistic skill of the great aestheticians and when you get a chance to have a plastic surgeon look at your face all the better. I also spent some time on her blog and ran across an article on coconut oils as moisturizers. I have never been a fan for two reasons. One, I don’t like smelling like a fruit salad and two, it was too messy for me to use.
It turns out my instincts were correct. Here is the science on the subject graciously allowed as a repost by Dr. Alina Sholar. Visit her if you are in Austin. You will love her. I did!
For Goodness Sakes! No More Coconut Oil!
The use of coconut oil as “skincare” is an all-out raging trend. An internet search for ‘coconut oil for skin care’ returns thousands of results that declare coconut oil a miracle for cleansing, moisturizing and healing the skin.
Skincare science says:
* Coconut oil disrupts the skin’s natural barrier function and can promote aging.
* Coconut oil does not provide hydration. Because oil and water do not mix- in fact, they repel one another – coconut oil cannot deliver water (hydration) to the skin whatsoever.
*Coconuts are considered a tree nut so if you are already sensitive to any type of nut or have an allergy, coconut oil could cause an allergic or inflammatory reaction.
*Coconut oil used on the face has been linked to an increase in contact dermatitis.
*Coconut oil has no natural vitamin or mineral content that serves the skin. It’s fats flying solo.
👉🏼 The bottom line is this: don’t simply let current trends influence your skincare. Go with the science instead. . .
