Why we love coconut oil for hair and skin

Harvested from the raw coconuts of the coconut palm, which is also known as the “tree of life” because every part of this nutrient-rich tree can be used to sustain human and other animal life, there’s a good reason why coconut oil is thought of as a beneficial "superfood" for our hair and skin and used in many of the best products.

WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT IT?

Mainly composed of medium chain fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal properties which can help to enhance the health of your hair and skin. Packed with antioxidant polyphenols and nutrients like vitamin E, it aids moisture retention, making it a great ingredient for feeding and nourishing dry skin. And its linoleic acid (vitamin F) belonging to the omega-6 fat family can help to support, repair and soothe the skin barrier increasing its elasticity and “plumpness”.

As well as being a popular cooking oil, you can use coconut oil as a facial cleanser or to soften and moisturise your skin. But if you don’t want to use it in its pure form, look for products where it’s included as an ingredient. With all its skin health-boosting properties, we made sure there was not just coconut oil in our Paradise Found Shimmering Body Oil but also a blend of hydrating and nourishing antioxidant-rich avocado, macadamia & sweet almond oils to instantly revive your skin. An award-winning body oil for best cruelty free beauty product which gives a fragrant glowing sheen leaving your skin soft, supple and sun-kissed all year round.  

The lauric acid in coconut oil also has a high affinity for the proteins in our hair and a long, straight linear chain. These make it easily able to penetrate hair shafts for better absorption and protection, rather than just coating them, and is used in many of the best hair products. As a natural saturated fat, it can work to reduce protein loss from our hair, calm scalp irritation and itching, stimulate hair growth and heal hair breakage. When we set out at Guava & Gold to create conditioner which would feed and protect dry, damaged hair leaving it looking and feeling sleeker and soft to the touch, we chose to add coconut oil with all its soothing benefits as one of the ingredients.

So if your scalp has a tendency to become dry and itchy and your hair to break especially in the colder winter months, how about looking for haircare products containing this hair superfood, coconut oil, for visibly glossier, stronger and fuller hair?