Is coconut milk really good for your skin? In this article, we explore the amazing benefits of coconut milk for your skin and hair. It really is full of good stuff, and whether you drink it, use it in a recipe or make your own beauty products with it, you will reap the benefits. It contains essential amino acids and lots of antioxidants which lead to healthy and glowing skin. Read on to get a good idea of all the ways rich and creamy coconut milk can enrich your skin and hair.
1. Rich in fats
Coconut milk has a high-fat content which can have an excellent moisturising effect when applied topically to dry skin, and it also acts as a sealant to lock in moisture and hydrate. It’s easily absorbed, smoothes skin cells, and the fats help maintain your skin’s elasticity. Coconut Milk is, in part, made up of MCT’s (medium-chain triglycerides), too, which are said to be readily metabolised by the body for energy when digested and can help prevent dandruff and keep skin soft.
2. Rich in vitamins
This tropical white stuff is overflowing with Vits. It contains Vitamin C, E, B1, B3 and B5, which help maintain the flexibility of skin, nourish the hair follicles and boost hair growth. Vitamin C can help to reduce pigmentation and inflammation, and Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that protects the skin from damage caused by daily environmental stressors like sun exposure and pollution. Vitamin E has further benefits as it also moisturises, helping you on the way to that coveted dewy skin. Vitamin B1 and B5 are good for calming red, irritated or dry skin, and vitamin B2 can help to improve skin tone.
3. It’s full of minerals
Coconut milk is rich in copper, providing almost a third of your recommended daily amount in just 240 grams. Copper actively helps promote skin renewal, and while it is only needed in small amounts, it’s an essential mineral for the body and skin that cannot be made but must be obtained through diet. Copper also helps to develop elastin, the fibres that support skin structure from underneath.
Coconut Milk also contains 22% of your iron and magnesium requirements in one 240 gram serving, 110% of your daily recommendation of manganese and 21% of recommended selenium. There is growing evidence that minerals influence the health and wellbeing of your skin and copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium are all listed as essential. Selenium can help protect skin from UV stressors, and magnesium helps regulate cell regeneration and repair and is often dubbed the ‘miracle mineral’ for skin. Iron can stimulate cell turnover on the scalp and helps your hair to grow while preventing breakage. Manganese helps you absorb other vitamins, and it supports collagen production and fights free radicals – what a superhero.
4. It has a variety of anti-ageing benefits
The combination of all the vitamins and minerals in Coconut Milk can help reduce wrinkle formation and aid a more youthful and glowing. Collagen is key when it comes to slowing the ageing process down – it maintains our skin’s elasticity and strength. Vitamin C, Copper and Manganese all support collagen production. Magnesium helps to reduce the likelihood of free radical damage, which can cause an earlier onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Fatty acids also help to create fresh looking skin. All of which is a good reason to add coconut milk to your morning smoothie.
5. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities
Coconut milk has anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. The medium-chain triglycerides in coconut milk include acids like lauric acid, decanoic acid, caprylic acid, and caproic acid, which are known for these qualities. If you apply it directly to your scalp, it helps to reduce dandruff and scalp itchiness and it can also soothe sunburn.
6. It’s versatile
There are so many dishes you can make with coconut milk like smoothies, overnight oats, fragrant curries, decadent tropical desserts and more. When you digest coconut milk, you are choosing the tasty way to get good skin. Coconut is one superfood trend we’re happy to keep following.
Here are a couple of coconut milk based recipes to try:
Lemon Curd Ice Cream with Ginger Crumble
Coconut Milk Curry with Summer Vegetables
Mango and Coconut Overnight Oats
Did you also know that coconut milk makes a great base for homemade face and hair masks? Here are few ways of using coconut milk in your beauty regime at home:
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Quick Coconut Hair Mask
1. Massage coconut milk into your hair from root to tip and apply to your scalp and leave it on for 20-30 minutes
2. Rinse and wash with shampoo and conditioner as usual.
This quick trick is perfect for combatting dry and lacklustre hair. If you have an oily scalp apply to your hair only. Your hair will be left smelling great and feeling fabulously silky and smooth.
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Coconut & Banana Face Mask
Bananas are soothing and moisturising, and together with coconut milk, this vegan face mask is a great option for those with dry and sensitive skin.
Coconut and Banana Face Mask Ingredients:
1/2-whole medium-sized banana (ripe is preferred)
1 tsp of lemon juice
2 tbsp coconut milk
How to Make the Coconut and Banana Face Mask:
1. Mash the banana and mix in a bowl with coconut milk and lemon juice.
2. Cleanse skin, apply the mixture to your face, and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
3. Rinse off with cold-warm water.
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Tropical Body Scrub
Ingredients for the Tropical Body Scrub:
- 1/2 cup ground rice
- 1/2 cup Plenish Coconut Milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons grated ginger
How to Make and Use the Tropical Body Scrub:
1. Grind the rice in a food processor.
2. Combine the rice with the coconut milk, brown sugar and ginger in a mixing bowl.
3. Apply the over the entire body in circular motions working from the feet up to exfoliate the skin.
Rinse.
This is the perfect scrub to use to exfoliate before you go on holiday or before applying self-tan.
We might just be a little bit obsessed with Plenish Coconut Milk which can be used to make delicious food and great smelling beauty products. Do you have any coconut milk recipes you would like to share? Tag us @plenishdrinks using #Plenish.