Using coconut oil for cellulite might sound weird, but this miracle remedy can help with your dimpled skin like nothing else!
In today’s increasingly self-aware world, women, especially, tend to be especially aware of sagging skin visible in their arms, thighs, and abdomen. This visible sagging skin is a result of cellulite. While most of you will already be familiar with this term, we will dive deep into what cellulite is, how it is formed, and whether coconut oil can help reduce its appearance.
What Is Cellulite and What Does It Look Like?
Cellulite, often referred to as “skin dimples,” is a common skin condition where fat deposits push through the layers of connective tissue beneath the skin. This creates an uneven, dimpled appearance on the skin’s surface, particularly noticeable when the skin is pinched. While it isn’t harmful or a sign of poor health, many consider it a cosmetic concern.
This condition is most often seen in areas prone to fat accumulation, such as the hips, thighs, abdomen, and underside of the arms. Although anyone can develop cellulite, it is significantly more prevalent in women; in fact, studies show that 80 to 90 percent of women may experience cellulite at some point in their lives, particularly after puberty.
Interestingly, genetics play a crucial role in the likelihood of developing cellulite. Factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and overall body fat percentage can also increase the chances of cellulite forming.
Does Coconut Oil Help Cellulite?
While coconut oil does not directly reduce cellulite, its collagen-boosting and moisturizing properties of coconut oil do help reduce its appearance to quite an extent. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the benefits of coconut oil for cellulite and how it can help smooth out your skin.
1. Moisturizes the Skin
If you have a normal to dry skin type, coconut oil can be a great alternative to your usual lotion because of its hydrating and moisturizing properties. Plus, brownie points for the beautiful coconut scent! An old study suggests that virgin coconut oil is quite similar, if not better, in its action as a moisturizer than mineral oil. It is these moisturizing properties that can help mask the appearance of “skin dimples” or cellulite on your body.
2. Tightens the Skin and Improves the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that can fight free radicals in your skin, making it look smoother and free of wrinkles, lines, and unevenness. Besides that, coconut oil also has collagen-boosting properties. Collagen helps firm up the skin, making it look younger and smoother. You could try using virgin coconut oil to increase collagen production in your skin, tighten it up, and prevent sagging.
Did you know collagen also helps treat wounds faster? This does not mean that you’ll dump away that Neosporin yet, but virgin coconut oil can definitely speed up your wound’s healing time and reduce scars over time!
3. Improves Blood Circulation
Using coconut oil for massages can really boost blood flow to the areas you’re focusing on. This is great because better circulation means more nourished skin and less buildup of unwanted fluids.
By massaging your skin regularly with coconut oil, you’ll see an improvement in its overall look and feel, making it appear smoother and healthier. Plus, this routine can help reduce the appearance of cellulite over time by improving the skin’s natural resilience and vibrancy.
How To Use Coconut Oil For Cellulite?
As we have already mentioned before, cellulite is more common in those who have an unhealthy lifestyle, that is, not having the proper diet or not exercising regularly. These factors can ultimately lead to visual effects like weight gain and cellulite. If you do have unhealthy food habits, the first step would be to stop extreme consumption of fat-rich foods. In combination with that, to alleviate the appearance of cellulite, here are the top 5 ways you can use coconut oil.
1. Straight Up Consume Coconut Oil
You are literally what you consume, and if you want to gain benefits such as hydrated, smooth, supple skin, improved heart health, reduced hunger, and better brain function, add coconut oil to your diet. Use it as your main cooking oil, and you will soon start seeing benefits for yourself!
2. Coconut Oil Exfoliation and Cellulite Massage
Reap not only the benefits of the moisturizing properties of coconut oil but also the goodness of coffee for your skin with an exfoliating scrub! Exfoliation is widely considered to be one of the most effective options for treating the appearance of cellulite. This is because exfoliating aids in removing the epidermal layer, breaking down toxic substances and fatty tissues underneath the skin, and even reducing stretch marks.
Here is how to create your own DIY coconut oil exfoliating scrub with coffee:
- Take half a cup of ground coffee or coffee powder, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar or regular sugar, and 2-3 tablespoons of warm coconut oil.
- Mix all of these together well and store in a container or jar. Use it for 15 minutes before showering. Give extra love to areas with cellulite, such as your thighs, hips, and arms.
- Rinse off in the shower and use this scrub for 2 to 3 times a week for best results.
3. Mix Essential Oils with Coconut Oil
Love the smell of essential oils in your diffuser? Well, the good news is that most of these oils, such as lavender and frankincense oil, can be great for your skin, too! Mix these with coconut oil, and use the mixture to firm up and moisturize your skin.
But how would you know which essential oils can best utilize cellulite? Well, we have got you. You could go for rosemary oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and juniper oil, each of which, combined with coconut oil, can have great benefits and aid in reducing skin dimples.
4. Aloe Vera Gel & Coconut Oil
Aloe vera is well-known for its ability to tighten and smoothen out the skin. When combined with coconut oil, you can experience the magic of the blend as it works well on both cellulite and stretch marks!
- Take some clean aloe vera gel, 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil.
- Mix the above ingredients till they form a smooth, creamy paste.
- Apply cellulite to the areas of your body and gently rub the mixture in.
- Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes and rinse off with cold water. For best results, repeat 2-3 times a week.
5. Dry Brushing
This is quite a prevalent method for cellulite removal, and for good reason, too! This method helps eliminate toxins and fatty acids from cell lines. It aids in blood circulation and firmer skin, thus making it smooth and supple.
Dry brushing involves applying and massaging coconut oil in areas of your body where you feel you have accumulated cellulite. These regions are then rubbed with a scrub brush. For the most efficacious performance, remember to pick an organic, plant-based scrub brush. It would be best not to pick one with synthetic fibers.
Ideally, you should dry brush right after a warm shower, as your pores will still be open. This will make the dry brushing more effective and activate your lymph nodes as well. Move the brush upward in circular motions for the best results.
Few Things To Consider While Using Coconut Oil
Now that you have understood how coconut oil can be beneficial against cellulite and how you can use it, there are a few things you must be careful about. You must be mindful of any allergies and adverse reactions that you might have to oils. Since we have listed several types of oils above, scrubs, and aloe vera, here are a few things to consider before going ahead with the methods we have listed.
- If you have oily skin, you should only use coconut oil after consulting and approval from your dermatologist, as using too much can cause breakouts and acne.
- If you have normal to dry skin, ensure that you do a patch test first with the different oils or ingredients you may be using, and only if there are no adverse reactions after 24- 48 hours can you go ahead with treating your cellulite.
- In case of itchy, red skin, hives, or any other type of reaction, stop the treatment immediately, rinse off with cold water, and get in touch with a doctor ASAP.
- If you have decided to include coconut oil in your diet, do not overdo it, as it is high in saturated fats. Contact a dietician or nutritionist before getting a coconut oil supplement.
- You must note that pure coconut oil must never be ingested and is only meant for topical use. Even while using topically, be sure to dilute it always with a lighter oil.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women must steer clear from the use of essential oils and should only use them under a medical professional’s recommendations.
- Invest in good quality, pure oils, as synthetic or fake oil won’t have any therapeutic benefits.
Wrapping Up
Remember, coconut oil is NOT a miracle cure for cellulite, as it depends on many lifestyle and genetic factors.
With coconut oil added to your body care regimen, you will be showing off your beautiful, cellulite-free thighs with confidence! Remember, cellulite is a completely natural phenomenon in all types of bodies, and it is beautiful, too! However, if you do not like the appearance of cellulite and do not want to undergo medical or cosmetic treatment, coconut oil can be an organic and inexpensive way to reduce the appearance of cellulite over time.