Coconut Oil for Wrinkles and Crepey Skin: Does it Actually Work?

By now you’ve probably heard of skin-saving properties of almighty coconut oil. Many beauty and skincare products are built around this powerhouse ingredient. From moisturizing to removing makeup, treating acne, it offers a plethora of skin benefits. 

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and caprylic acid. Both these acids are known to possess antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties. That’s what makes coconut oil a popular choice of ingredient in your cleansers, creams, and several other products. 

Did you know that some people also use coconut oil to treat crepey skin and wrinkles? Yes, that’s right. But does it actually work? In this article, we’re going to uncover the truth.

Read on to find out more!

Can You Really Use Coconut Oil for Wrinkles?

Coconut oil may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and crepey skin, however, research is limited. There’s not enough data that supports the use of coconut oil for treating crepey skin and wrinkles. 

That said, one study found that virgin coconut oil sped up wound healing in rats by promoting collagen turnover. And as you know, wrinkles and crepey skin is the result of the loss of collagen and elastin. 

As you grow older, your skin loses collagen. UV exposure can also break down collagen and elastin fibers. And the loss of collagen leads to skin losing its elasticity. This, in turn, results in wrinkles and crepe-like skin. 

Since coconut oil boosts collagen production, it may be helpful in treating wrinkles. But it’s important to understand that coconut oil is not for everyone. We will discuss that later in the article. 

Related: Best Body Lotions for Crepey Skin on Arms, Legs, Face, and Neck

How to Use Coconut Oil for Wrinkles?

There are a number of ways to use coconut oil for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and crepey skin. Here’s a few of them:

Leave it Overnight

You can use coconut oil as you would a night cream. Here’s how you do it:

  • Cleanse your face using a gentle face wash and rinse with lukewarm water.
  • Take 1 tbsp. of organic coconut oil and massage it onto your face and neck gently. 
  • Remove any thick residue with the help of facial tissue.
  • Leave it overnight.

Do this every night before going to bed. You can also consider adding a few drops of coconut oil to your night cream

As a Serum

You can also use this multi-purpose oil as a serum. To use it as a serum, do the following:

  • Cleanse your face with your favorite face wash and pat dry.
  • Take a small amount of coconut oil and smooth it evenly on your face.
  • Let it dry and follow up with other skincare products that you use after serum.
  • Use it twice a day.

As a DIY Mask

A DIY face mask is one of the best ways to pamper your skin. It provides tons of skin benefits and can be helpful in reducing wrinkles as well. 

Here’s how you can create a coconut oil DIY face mask.

Ingredients

  • ½ tbsp. turmeric powder.
  • 1 tbsp. Manuka honey.
  • ½ tbsp. lemon juice.
  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin coconut oil.

Usage Instructions

  • Take a small bowl and mix all the ingredients into a paste.
  • Cleanse your face thoroughly.
  • Apply the mixture on your face and leave it there for 15 minutes. 
  • Rinse with lukewarm water. 
  • Do it 2-3 times a week. 

Upon regular application, your skin will become more youthful and healthier overall.

As a Makeup Remover

Did you know that you can use coconut oil as a makeup remover and still reap some of the amazing benefits it has to offer? But it’s important to use organic, cold-pressed coconut oil. Removing makeup with this oil is easy. 

Liquefy coconut oil in your palms and gently massage it onto your skin. No washcloths or cotton pads needed. Once your makeup has lifted, rinse with warm water. 

Now, cleanse your face with a gentle facial wash as usual. 

Is Coconut Oil Good for Everyone?

is coconut oil good for crepey skin

You may be tempted to start using coconut oil today, but take note that it’s not compatible with every skin type. Coconut oil is comedogenic, meaning it clogs pores. It has a high comedogenic rating. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the worst), coconut oil has a pore-clogging potential of 4. 

So, if you’re prone to congested pores or have super-oily skin, this miraculous oil isn’t for you. In such cases, it can cause blackheads, whiteheads, and whatnot. If you’re still hell-bent on incorporating this ingredient to your skincare routine, you can try using it as a makeup remover. 

After removing makeup, make sure to cleanse your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser to wash away any residue oily residue. This will help prevent clogged pores and may also minimize the appearance of wrinkles at the same time. 

Also, you shouldn’t use coconut oil if you’re allergic to it. 

What Type of Coconut Oil Should You Use?

There are different types of coconut oil available on the market. It generally falls into three categories:

  • Refined
  • Unrefined
  • Liquid  

When shopping for coconut oil for face, you should look for virgin, unrefined, and cold-pressed coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil is rich in essential nutrients that are beneficial for your skin. 

Refined coconut oil may be void of some of these nutrients because it’s subjected to high temperatures while refining. Also, it has a shorter shelf life than unrefined oil. 

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Other Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin

In addition to reducing wrinkles, there are several other benefits of using coconut oil for skin. Here are a few of them:

May Reduce Acne

Coconut oil has exceptionally high levels of lauric acid. And as we mentioned before, lauric acid has antibacterial properties. Applying coconut oil kills acne-causing bacteria and can help reduce acne. 

That being said, it may not be suitable for you if you have oily skin. That’s because of the comedogenic nature of coconut oil. 

Reduces Inflammation

As you already know, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it may also calm irritated skin. Additionally, it also protects the skin by enhancing the skin barrier function. 

Improves Hydration

Thanks to essential fatty acids, coconut oil hydrates your skin. It also contains linoleic acid that improves moisture retention. According to research, it also reduces transepidermal water loss. Therefore, coconut oil is just perfect for people with dry and dehydrated skin.

Treats Skin Discoloration

Some people also use coconut oil to treat hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Many beauty bloggers claim that this oil has skin-lightening properties. And it may help reduce dark spots. 

Conclusion

Coconut oil may be beneficial if you’re trying to reduce wrinkles on the face naturally. However, it’s not suitable for everyone as it can clog pores. Additionally, if you want results fast, you should talk to your dermatologist and look for other treatments such as laser resurfacing or OTC products that focus on reducing wrinkles.

But if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, coconut oil is a great option. It’s affordable, natural, and easily available. But it’s important that you invest in the right products and avoid low-quality, highly-processed coconut oil.

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