how i used coconut oil to finally get clear skin

One frugal product replaced the creams and cleansers I’d used for years to, unsuccessfully, treat my breakouts. My skin is clearer and softer than ever.

I’ve written before, briefly, about my love of coconut oil as a skin care product. I wanted to go into more detail, though, because I still can’t believe how clear my skin is with so little effort and expense.

the background

I fought bad skin for so long. From the time I was an early teen, my face was constantly broken out. I tried several over-the-counter remedies before progressing to prescription creams. Sometimes my skin would get more clear, but it never lasted long. I don’t remember a time between junior high and my mid-twenties when I didn’t need at least a little concealer.

My complexion has gotten better in the last few years. Pregnancy notwithstanding, I probably had more days of skin I was happy with than not. But I still fought pimples. It was all so frustrating because here I was, 26-years old, still fighting the breakouts my mom had assured me I would grow out of.

J. and I in 2008, just after we got married. My skin looks pretty good here, but when I look closely I see bumps on my forehead and cheeks.

In addition to breakouts, I also dealt with an uneven tone and combination skin. I’m pretty fair-skinned, so harsh products always seemed to redden my cheeks and irritate my skin. My t-zone stayed pretty oily, but my cheeks would get dry, especially in the winter.

About the time I got fed up with my skin, I was also making more of an effort to eliminate chemicals from our cleaning and personal care products. I was using coconut oil for a lot of things, but I wasn’t sure about it’s effectiveness for treating pimples. I was fed up with all of the various other remedies I had tried, so I gave it a shot.

now

It’s been more than a year since I stopped using any other product on my face. I’ve had a few pimples, but most days I don’t wear any concealer at all. I finally feel like I have the skin someone my age- I’m 28- should have.

the routine

Let me be clear that I don’t use makeup remover, cleanser, moisturizer, toner, night cream, or any pimple-fighting product. A few days a month, if I think I might be headed toward a breakout, I’ll put a few drops each of lemon, lavender, and tea tree essential oils on a cotton ball and apply that to my face. But 25 days out of 30, it’s just me and my jar of coconut oil.

at night. To remove my makeup in the evening, I warm a small amount of coconut oil between my hands to make it liquid. I use my fingers to massage the oil all over my face, including my eyes. Then, I wet a washcloth with hot water and wring it out. I lay the wet cloth over my face for several seconds- probably 10-15, or as long as I can until I need to breath again- letting the steam from the hot cloth work it’s magic. I use the cloth to rub away my eye makeup and the excess oil.

In the winter, if my skin is especially dry, I’ll rub a small amount of coconut oil into the dry spots right before bed. The dry spots are always soft and moisturized in the morning.

That’s all. One application of coconut oil in the evening replaces all of my other skin care products.

Not only is my skin softer and clearer than it’s been in 15 years, but I’m also happy to know that I’m not using any products with long lists of ingredients I can’t pronounce. Plus, for someone who is frugal, I love that my $10 jar of coconut oil lasts for several months.

What household products do you incorporate into your beauty routine?

Searching for more natural health ideas? Check out my post with non-medicinal quick fixes for a headache, or this recipe for coconut oil face cream by Brandy at The Dutchman’s Wife.

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