The Versatile Benefits of Coconut Oil in Spa Treatments

Mar 2nd, 2023

Bowl with coconut oil on table next to whole coconuts

Coconut oil is a versatile ingredient high in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and other nutrients that support healthy skin - ideal for a myriad of spa treatments!

The coconut palm is a beautiful tree, and I’m very fortunate to live where they grow all around me.

Log in to view the full article

The coconut palm is a beautiful tree, and I’m very fortunate to live where they grow all around me.

Coconut oil is often thought of as the do-everything oil. It is very versatile as it is used for cooking, folk medicine, fuel, food and is great for the hair, skin and nails. And, let's not forget about coconut water! There are even songs written about coconuts—“Da Coconut Nut," “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts,” “Coconut Woman” (my favorite).

We’ve been consuming coconut products for a very long time, but not until recently has the coconut become the plant world’s celebrity. To date, there are more than 2,000 studies showing coconut to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.¹

Coconut Oil History

Coconut botanically is a drupe, not a nut. The name comes from the old Portuguese word coco, meaning head or skull after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features.

They are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and a cultural icon of the tropics; the coconut tree is considered the tree of life in many of these areas.

For centuries, South Pacific Islanders have used a balanced blend of pure coconut and exotic drift seed oils infused with flower extracts to nourish, hydrate and beautify their skin and hair.

The best way to formulate virgin coconut oil products is through innovative cold processing. Avoiding heat allows for the extraction of pure, crystal-clear, sweet-smelling coconut oil that is pressed within one hour of opening—just hours after hand harvesting.

A process called direct micro expulsion (DME), developed by Pure Fiji, is a cold processing technique done by hand in rural Fijian communities without the use of electricity. The coconuts are wild harvested, which reduces the need for artificial irrigation, fertilization and pesticides, thus reducing the impact on the local ecosystem.

Coconut Oil Benefits

DME retains the integrity and molecular structure of the oil, allowing the coconut oil to remain as nature designed it. The ingredient is exceptionally high in essential medium chain fatty acids (MCTs) like lauric acid 53.6%, myristic acid, capric acid and more. It's also packed with antioxidants, vitamin E and other nutrients that support healthy-looking skin.

Coconut oil's benefits come from these natural therapeutic compounds. Its potent MCTs provide us with energy and are hydrating, anti-fungal, antioxidant and antibacterial, fighting microbes within and outside the body.²

It also smells amazing! These good fats provide a firm texture at cool or room temperatures because the fats in the oil, which are healthy saturated fats, are made up of smaller molecules. At temperatures about 78ºF, it liquifies.

Coconut oil has a low molecular weight and the way it bonds with proteins enables the oil to be readily accepted into the skin and drawn into the deeper layers of the dermis, passing with ease through the cell membranes to nourish each skin cell.

Incorporating coconut oil in the treatment room will deliver a number of amazing skin benefits:

Reduces inflammation: A study found improvement with chronic skin disease³
Firms, tones and helps repair skin
Moisturizes and soothes⁴
Nourishes and protects by enhancing barrier function⁴
Noncomedogenic and unclogs pores
High in antioxidants to promote healthy aging and reduce visible signs of stress

Coconut oil can also be added to a myriad of treatments and self-care regimens, both in spa and at home, thanks to its many uses:

Daily moisturizer
Massage oil
Facial oil
Makeup remover
Night cream
Rash treatment
Hydrator for dry feet and hands
Cuticle oil
Bath oil
Guard for diaper rash
Lip balm
Sunburn soother
Hair oil (shine, frizz, repair, deep conditioning)
Scalp treatment (balances scalp and helps control dandruff)⁵
Shaving care (prevents ingrown hairs and razor burn, then rub in to moisturize)
Oil pulling (heals gums and whitens teeth)

Coconut oil body and skin care embody the tropical island experience, and luxury spas around the world are already offering their own customized protocols. Cold pressed coconut oil products are a beauty and body powerhouse, so start using them today to give your guests healthy, radiant skin.

References:

Kimberlee Geng is the U.S. director of education for Pure Fiji.