Unrefined coconut oil is primarily used for skin and hair care due to its strong coconut taste and scent, and lower smoke point which makes it less ideal for high-heat cooking.
Detailed Uses of Unrefined Coconut Oil
While both refined and unrefined coconut oil can be used in cooking and baking, unrefined coconut oil shines particularly in the following applications:
- Skin Moisturizer: Applied directly to the skin, unrefined coconut oil acts as a natural moisturizer, especially beneficial for dry skin. It can help to lock in moisture and keep the skin supple.
- Hair Conditioner: Many people use unrefined coconut oil as a hair conditioner or deep conditioning treatment. It can help to improve hair texture, reduce frizz, and add shine. Apply to hair, leave for 30 minutes to a few hours, and then rinse thoroughly.
- Makeup Remover: Unrefined coconut oil can effectively remove makeup, including waterproof mascara. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for sensitive skin.
- Oil Pulling: In alternative medicine, oil pulling with unrefined coconut oil is used for oral hygiene. Swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth for 15-20 minutes is believed to remove bacteria and promote healthy gums.
- DIY Beauty Products: Due to its natural properties and pleasant scent, unrefined coconut oil is a popular ingredient in homemade beauty products such as lotions, lip balms, and scrubs.
Why Unrefined for These Uses?
Unrefined coconut oil, also known as virgin coconut oil, retains more of the natural coconut aroma and flavor compared to its refined counterpart. It also undergoes less processing, which some believe helps it retain more beneficial compounds for skin and hair. While refined coconut oil is processed to remove flavor and scent and raise the smoke point, the unrefined version's qualities make it better suited for topical applications where the scent and natural properties are valued.
