I spent years wondering why the supposedly-awesome coconut oil for skin wasn’t cutting it for the dry skin on my face. It was SO frustrating! This discovery totally rocked my world, and I’m still using it daily, 5+ years later.
Huge thanks to Wilder Supply Co. who asked me to try some of their skin care products and originally sponsored this post. (All sponsored partnerships on this site are 100% my own thoughts, and I only publish work for products/companies I’ve personally tried and love.)
Written by: Beth Ricci
Every winter without fail, I get terribly dry skin on my face. The day after the we turn on the furnace for the first time in the fall, it starts. My face – especially in my T-zone – gets itchy, dry, and flaky. After my shower, it feels tight and awful, like that feeling you get when wearing a face mask that has dried and is ready to wash off. I do not appreciate this facet of my undeniably otherwise-flawless beauty. 😉 Not cool, face, not cool at all.
So what’s a natural living, crunchy mama to do?
[Enter, stage left, hero character]
Does Coconut Oil for Skin Actually Work?
Coconut oil is the darling of the natural living crunchy community. Every real food blogger worth their (unrefined sea) salt will tell you that there are literally hundreds of ways to use the stuff, from making delicious baked goods, homemade toothpaste, or eye makeup remover, to lubricating your you-know-what and using it as a massage oil in the bedroom.
Ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Remember how Windex is the cure-all? Same idea, less hilarious and more natural.
It’s commonly claimed that using coconut oil for skin is the Awesomest! Moisturizer! Ever! too. For years I kept some in a little sealed container in my bathroom, carried it in my purse, and even packed it for trips, just so I could swipe a little out with my finger to help moisturize my dry skin. It worked… sorta, but not great. I also tried jojoba oil for a while (holy expensive, batman). It was better, but still not awesome.
The Ideal Moisturizer for Your Skin, According to Research
According to this recent study on moisturizing products for dry skin, the ideal moisturizer will have the following attributes:
Reduce and prevent further TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss)
Restore lipid barrier, i.e., duplicating and enhancing the skin’s moisturizing retention mechanisms
Hypoallergenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance free, non-comedogenic
Absorbed immediately, providing immediate hydration
Cosmetically acceptable
Affordable.
How I First Learned About Coconut Oil Alternatives
My life was forever changed when an email landed in my inbox from Hannah at Wilder Supply Co. (Update September 2016: Wilder was formerly called Taproot Farms. Same great company, different name.)
(Seriously though – if any face moisturizer could be called life-changing, it’s this one.)
Wilder Supply Co. is a family-owned business located on an off-grid homestead in Chickaloon, Alaska. They offer a variety of products including lip balm, face/body oils, shea butter, perfume, and goat milk soap (made from fresh goat milk from the family homestead).
[annnd… now cue the dramatic music]
She wanted me to review some skin care products from their shop. I was all like, OK, sure, sounds fun. I was tired of using coconut oil for skin and being disappointed. Little did I know that my face moisturizing routine as I knew it was about to be forever changed.
I tried a few different products: a peach lip balm which works beautifully, and a sandalwood goat milk handcrafted soap – smells incredible, feels totally luxurious in the shower. I LOVE the silky smooth feel of it.
Then… I tried the Moroccan Argan Oil.
Backstory: when Hannah asked me what I’d like to try from their shop, I mentioned that the argan oil looked interesting (I had never heard of it before) because I had suffered from dry, itchy skin on my face for so long, and my current coconut oil for skin routine was not really cutting it.
This was followed by a discussion of the various oils and some brilliant explanations from her which pretty much explained everything as to why the other oils hadn’t worked for me. Here’s what I learned from her, and from my own rabbit hole of research that blew my mind:
What Does the Scientific Research Show About Argan Oil and Coconut Oil?
Well, first of all – the body of research on plant oils for therapeutic skin purposes is fairly small. Unfortunately, the laws in the United States on what skincare and cosmetic companies are allowed to include in their products are extremely loose. The U.S. only bans 11 ingredients, which is in stark contrast to the 1,328 chemicals banned by law in the European Union (28 countries). Canada’s laws are similarly strict to the E.U. with hundreds of ingredients banned.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the E.U. also requires safety assessments on all products prior to being sold, whereas the U.S. does not. They point out that “the hazard-based, precautionary approach of the E.U. acknowledges that chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects simply don’t belong in cosmetics – regardless of the concentration of the chemical being used.”
What does this all mean? It means that the biggest cosmetic brands (the ones who could afford to fund studies) have little need to do so, and wouldn’t want to anyway, because the results on their products wouldn’t be good.
Here’s What we DO Know, Based on What’s Available:
- According to this 2013 study on jojoba in dermatology, jojoba oil isn’t actually an oil. It’s a wax ester that is very similar to the skin’s natural sebum. So, while it feels really nice on the skin (and worked better than coconut oil for me), it can’t soak in to the layers of the epidermis and moisturize as effectively as an oil like argan.
- Coconut oil for skin is a very light moisturizer that sinks in quickly, which appeals to a lot of people because it doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on the skin. It works well for some, but not those with very dry skin. This 2019 study found that coconut oil was effective as an emollient (softening skin) but that it was not found to leave an effective barrier to seal in moisture (aka “occlusive” – for the “most occlusive” example, think of petroleum jelly leaving a thick layer on skin). Dry skin needs something more occlusive than coconut oil, but less so than petroleum jelly (not a product I recommend, for the record).
- According to Table 1 in this study, coconut oil is not considered an effective occlusive (protective barrier), emollient (softens rough skin), or humectant (draws moisture). That same study points out that it does have excellent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, so if you don’t have very dry skin or acne-prone skin (see comedogenic note below), it may be a great choice for you. (It’s also worth noting that other studies do refer to occlusive and emollient effects of coconut oil, and I’m sure there’s truth to that, however other plant-based oils seem to be referenced as more effective in this regard.)
- According to this comedogenic chart, argan oil is non-comedogenic with a rating of 0, so it won’t clog your pores.
- Conversely, coconut oil is listed with a rating of 4 (which means it can easily clog pores). That doesn’t bother many people, but if you have a tendency to get clogged pores (blackheads, acne breakouts, etc), coconut oil may exacerbate that problem.
- It is worth noting that the concept of comedogenicity requires more research before we can draw too many conclusions. Still – anecdotally, many people report that coconut oil just doesn’t leave their skin feeling hydrated (like me), or it leads to acne breakouts (hence the comedogenicity discussion).
- To sum up my own experience – while jojoba oil provided a protective layer without sinking in well, and coconut oil sinks in but doesn’t leave much of a protective layer, argan oil does both (see research below), making it more effective overall.
- In this 2014 study involving 60 women, the researchers concluded that argan oil improved skin hydration by restoring barrier function (keeping irritants, microbes, and allergens out) AND maintaining the water-holding capability (keeping moisture in).
- A follow-up study in 2015 by the some of the same researchers concluded that argan oil has an effective anti-aging effect by significantly improving skin elasticity.
So while coconut oil might work well for people who have skin in the middle of the spectrum (generally non-problematic skin), it doesn’t usually work great for those of us who tend to have dry or oily skin issues.
My Personal Experience with Argan Oil
As soon as I got the package in the mail, I started using the argan oil every morning, especially after a shower (I don’t shower every day – it helps to avoid drying the skin too much)
I dab a few drops on my driest areas (right between my eyebrows, forehead, around the base of my nose) and massage it in. It literally only takes a few drops, and my skin drinks it up thirstily.
It is especially effective if I give my face a quick, gentle exfoliation first. In the shower, I just gently scrub my face with a washcloth and it works great. I don’t feel a need to buy special products, or to be particularly harsh with scrubbing. It’s also most effective when applied to damp skin because your pores are more open.
Since using the argan oil, I have noticed an absolute 100% improvement in the way the skin on my face feels on a daily basis. That tight, dry feeling is gone!
As far as I can tell, the results are long-lasting too, because on the days I don’t shower, I sometimes don’t even use the oil because my skin is still happily moisturized from the day before.
It’s incredibly effective (this is about as close to defining something as a miracle product as I’ve ever gotten) and it’s frugal too, considering how little of it you need at a time. At the risk of overstating my case, to be honest, I am utterly blown away and thrilled with this product. Truly.
Now, not only does it work well and not cost me an arm and a leg (side note: yes, the price seems high at first glance compared to drugstore junk, but my first bottle lasted me almost four years!!), but consider these amazing factors as well:
Interesting Facts About the Origins and Production of Argan Oil:
- Argan oil is one of the rarest, most highly-valued oils in the world (source). It is a plant-based oil that comes from the Argan tree, which is exclusive to Morocco. It is called the “tree of life” there, and it has been used by locals for centuries.
- Every part of the plant is utilized: “Getting oil from the fruit of the argan tree involves drying it, extracting the nuts, cracking them to reveal the kernels, and pressing them to release the oil. The byproduct of pressing is a thick argan paste, which is sold locally for cosmetic products. Nothing else is wasted, as the outer pulp provides food for village animals, while the shells are burned for fuel.” (source)
- The process of extraction and selling this oil is done in a sustainable fashion. Almost all Argan oil is distributed by local co-operatives of women in Morocco (source). To this day, the most efficient method of extraction is hand-pressing the kernels, which provides valuable jobs to women in the country.
What are the Health Benefits of Argan Oil?
- Argan oil has incredible health benefits. According to this study, it’s rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are both traits held in high regard in the beauty industry. The industry often adds synthetic versions of these things to products to be able to market them as anti-aging and healing, but of course, the natural (non-synthetic) version is far superior.
- According to the same study, “daily topical application of argan oil has also been shown to improve skin elasticity and skin hydration by restoring the barrier function and maintaining the water-holding capacity. Additionally, topical applications onto skin provide a softening and relaxing effect on the skin.”
- This study discusses multiple amazing health benefits of argan oil beyond skin moisturizing, including UV protection, and even cancer prevention (yes, really!)
The Bottom Line?
I first wrote this post in 2013, and it has been viewed nearly four million times since. There has been some pushback to criticism of our beloved coconut oil (of which I’m still a huge fan – I use it all the time for cooking, and a few other things!) but overall, I have heard from a ton of others who were relieved to know that they weren’t the only ones struggling with coconut oil for skin as a moisturizer!
I still use and love my argan oil to this day – I get mine from the same company: Wilder Supply Co. (<– get a special R&H discount through that link). I trust their quality.
They’re a small family business that prides itself on offering natural, affordable products of exceptional quality. They also value sustainability and top-notch service, which pretty well makes them my ideal company.
Related:
What do you use to moisturize your skin? Have you tried argan oil?
Sources:
- Sethi, A., Kaur, T., Malhotra, S. K., & Gambhir, M. L. (2016). Moisturizers: The Slippery Road. Indian journal of dermatology, 61(3), 279–287. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.182427
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Ghassemi M.R, Kazerouni A, Rafeie E, Jamshydian N. (2013). “Jojoba in Dermatology: A Succinct Review”. G Ital Dermatol Venereol , 9(1): 5–14. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
- Varma, S. R., Sivaprakasam, T. O., Arumugam, I., Dilip, N., Raghuraman, M., Pavan, K. B., Paramesh, R. (2018). In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 9(1), 5–14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
- Chularojanamontri, L., Tuchinda, P., Kulthanan, K., & Pongparit, K. (2014). Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 7(5), 36–44.
- Draelos Z.D, DiNardo J.C. (2006). A Re-Evaluation of the Comedogenicity Concept. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 54(3):507-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.11.1058
- Boucetta, K.Q, Charrouf, Z, Derouiche, A, Rahali, Y, and Bensouda, Y. (2014). Skin Hydration in Postmenopausal Women: Argan Oil Benefit with Oral and/or Topical Use. Menopause Review 13(5): 280–288. doi: 10.5114/pm.2014.46470
- Boucetta, K.Q, Charrouf, Z, Aguenaou, H, Derouiche, A, and Bensouda Y. (2015). The Effect of Dietary and/or Cosmetic Argan Oil on Postmenopausal Skin Elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging 10:339-49. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S71684
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(1), 70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
- Villareal, M. O., Kume, S., Bourhim, T., Bakhtaoui, F. Z., Kashiwagi, K., Han, J., … Isoda, H. (2013). Activation of MITF by Argan Oil Leads to the Inhibition of the Tyrosinase and Dopachrome Tautomerase Expressions in B16 Murine Melanoma Cells. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 340107. doi:10.1155/2013/340107
Asha
Coconut oil works great for me.
I usually make the oil by myself or purchase from the local market.
Thanks for sharing the info on Argan oil…I guessed I have been underestimating its benefits.
Beth
If coconut oil works for you, then great! It didn’t work well for me at all, sadly, so thank goodness for argan oil! 🙂
Jaja Shah-Mohen
As for me, argan oil makes my skin blotchy and feels raw! I swear by coconut oil/olive oil and pure aloe vera gel. But I use argan oil for my hair and that works! LOL
Beverly perkins
How do you make it yourself ?
niran
boil coconut milk until it turns into oil.
hmm
i read almost each and all of these comments and notice that you are quite a shady chick. don’t know weather to trust you or not. leaning more toward the not since you aren’t very honest without yourself either. deleting things that people point out so that you would feel better yourself.
hmm...
I don’t trust people who can’t distinguish between whether and weather. You have quite the Capitalization fail as well. hmm…
Jan
I am pretty sure you can do what you like on your own blog.
Nothing wrong with deleting negative posts in an effort to keep things positive.
Beth
Haha! I totally missed these comments from a few months ago. The internet sure has all kinds, doesn’t it?
I’m guessing that Hmm #1 and #2 are different people. I’m also guessing that Hmm#1 is simply a troll with nothing better to do than leave bizarrely snarky comments on random sites on the big wide internet.
I don’t think I’ve ever been called a shady chick before. I think I’ll take it as a compliment, so thanks! My mysterious air of badassery knows no bounds. Me and my moisturizing skincare routine and 9pm bedtime, with my four kids, minivan, and husband. Yeah, I’m shady all right. 😉
Ha!
Susan Lord
Beth, great response and attitude! Aloha
DJ
Awesome! Loving the response.
Joy
Im glad argan oil works for you. Unfortunately it doesnt me ive tried it numerous occasions for at least a month every once in while hoping it would work at all and i would completely breakout terribly oily n itchy hoping it change over. I dont shower every day. I have extremely sensitive skin and coconut seems to shrink my pores for 6 years best my skin has ever looked. I look very young it has for me.
Honest Abe
Try the argan oil again, but this time try to get someone to pay you to promote it! I’m sure you’ll love it so much you’ll make a shill blog about it!
Beth
Hey “Honest Abe”!
I literally used my argan oil just this morning after my shower, THREE YEARS after publishing this post. I’m on maybe my third bottle since then – it lasts months and months and months because I use such a tiny amount daily. Still loving it, still feel 100% as passionate about how awesome it works for me. Still think there are others who’d benefit from trying it as well.
But hey – your cynicism and snark are at majorly impressive levels. High five for setting the bar low! 😉
Fruity
Seriously dude? You must not be aware how successful blogging works (I’m not a blogger, fyi). Companies who have a product they want to promote seek out a bright blogger with a wide audience of followers who might be interested in said product(s). They offer a sample for the blogger to try, hoping she’ll tell her readers about the pros and cons, price point (and in this case how little the price matters since it lasts so long), possibly posting before-n-after photos showing how well it works.
Nobody would read blogs if all they wrote about was the boring goods we use every day already, and as such have already decided if we like em enough to buy again.
Hope this helps?
Thanks to Beth for Keeping it Real Ü
Raffi Lakhdar
Sorry to hair Argan oil didn’t work for you. In my personal experience, I have never heard of Argan oil side effects…not even once. Yet not so pleasant experiences with Argan Oil-ish products do exist. But if you use the 100% pure organic Argan oil ( USDA-Certified ) like the one here: https://loyalnaturals.com/organic-argan-oil you may have a great experience like many others. I hope this help.
Sandy
Hi Raffi,
Likewise, Argan oil did not work for me either. I have sensitive/acne prone skin. USDA certified Organic Argan oil made me breakout more and made my face look reddish. It works beautifully on my body and hair. Also, someone I know with nut allergies cannot use Argan oil. Coconut and Moringa oil have worked wonders for my skin!
Sandy
Catherine
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, Beth. I have also read some information about coconut oil and according to this article: http://www.wikicoconutinfo.org/pure-coconut-oil-nutrition/, this product is high in saturated fats. Thankfully, the USDA has removed coconut oil from its list of limited foods, partly because of all the good things it has to offer. The majority of fats in coconut oil is medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) with a high content of lauric acid. Lauric acid and other MCTs behave differently in the body than other types of fat. They absorb directly into the bloodstream, causing a quicker feeling of satiation, which helps people eat less. The direct absorption also provides a natural boost of energy. So instead of feeling sluggish and overfed, a meal prepared with coconut oil can leave you feeling energized. MCTs also increase the good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood and help balance cholesterol levels.
Beth
I LOVE LOVE LOVE coconut oil in my diet! Yes times a thousand to all the benefits you mentioned! It’s an amazing superfood. I just don’t love it as a skin moisturizer. 🙂
Connie
How do I get some
Sensible Not Crunchy
Go to the drug store. Go down the hair aisle. Every 5th bottle is argan oil
Beth
Those drugstore bottles that say “with argan oil” on them are NOT pure. They’re most likely a ton of synthetic ingredients, with argan oil being somewhere down on the list. It won’t perform the same on your skin whatsoever. The company that I buy from (and use still to this day, three years later) is linked in the post!
Gina
Let me know more, ( especially about company you are endorsing) I am older and dont want to waste time or money…..I will sing praises but call shysters out-NOT implying you are at all!! Internet is a curse and blessing
Beth
You’re right – it’s tough to trust people on the internet sometimes. I can’t force anyone to take my word for it, but I can tell you that I’ve been using this exact brand of argan oil on my face continuously since I first wrote this post in January of 2014. I also got my mom hooked on using it, and she ordered hers from the site, paid with her own money, and loves it and uses it to this day also. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Becky
I started using this product because of your blog. I don’t think you get any kickbacks for it as I wasn’t asked how I heard about them. But! Nevertheless I have to say, I too- LOVE this product! It is the only thing that has come close to hydrating my skin! Thank you for posting this!
Beth
You’re right – I don’t get kickbacks. They paid me to write an honest review post years ago, and it continues to be one of the most popular posts of all time on my blog. I still use and LOVE my argan oil. It’s the best. 🙂
spa in los angeles california
We have master some terrific goods the following. Certainly truly worth bookmarking with regard to returning to spa in los angeles california. I ponder how a bunch try you placed to help make the form of fantastic informative web-site.
Corinna Alder
Love vitamin E . What do you think ?
James Green
This is one of the few and amazing articles I have red about coconut oil. Thank you.
livestockcommissionagent.info
That is right, but additionally folks usually ask
for the least dangerous as a substitute of essentially the most healthy.
Bader Eddine
Awesome –
Thank you for helping spread the word about this natural gift, Argan oil.
Cindy
Beth,
I hope you received my post. It did. Or print.
Cindy
Hi Beth,
I don’t know what to do. I am so glad I ran across your post. I am looking to buy Shea butter in bulk so I can make my own body lotion. I have very sensitive dry skin. I tried different organic oils. I didn’t care for how they worked on my body. The best product I ever purchased was organic Shea butter from a vendor at the military base. However she doesn’t come everyday and I am out of the Shea butter. I also go swimming a couple days a week at the gym.I know that the pool water is terrible for my skin, but it is so hot here in Vegas. The Shea butter worked great for keeping my skin moisturized from the pool water too. Do you know where a good place to buy Shea butter in bulk that is honest and reliable. Thank you for your prompt reply.
Beth
Sorry, I don’t use shea butter, so I’m not sure.
Gigi Taormina
I am looking for products that are paraben free. Since bath water winds up in our oceans; naturals oil must be not only good for us but also for the environment .
Kristen
Yep, coconut oil never worked for me the way that it is touted on many healthy mom blogs. But, when I started doing some independent certificate studies I found that coconut oil is almost never used by itself for cosmetic purposes. It is best utilized in combination with other carrier oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, olive, or rosehip seed oil. When you combine coconut oil with other oils appropriate for your skin, I imagine you would see different results. Although I’m glad that you found the Argan oil was a good fit for you. 🙂
Alexander pope
According to me coconut oil is world’s greatest skin moisturizer.My grandmother’s skin is still glowing or charming because she told me that with the longest usage of COCONUT OIL on skin has made her much beautiful.Thanks for sharing.
Karley
I’ve found that coconut oil is great for using as a hair mask once a month. I brush it through my hair, put it in a bun and sleep in it, wash it out the next morning. I’ve also used it to remove eye makeup. However, I have extremely dry skin and it literally seals in the dryness. I was excited to try it so after a shower I coated my entire body in it…which resulted in a spider web-like pattern of red dryness. Never again, coconut oil ! I’ve come to love the Alaffia unrefined Shea Butter. It works amazing and soaks into my skin fast.
Anu
FYI – every part of the coconut tree is used too!! Which is why they call it “Kalpavriksha”, which in Sanskrit, means the “divine tree”.
I haven’t used Argan oil for my face yet but have used it on my hair and it made my hair too greasy and a bit brittle too. Coconut oil works for my hair and body (I massage my hands and feet with coconut oil every night). I don’t use oils on my face but sometimes I massage the face using coconut oil and it is effective in cleansing it. I wash it off later.
Margaret Mitchell
Hi i don’t know about anybody else but I’m still getting over the fact that she actually said she doesn’t shower every day whaaaaaaaat why the heck not # 1 STINKY #2 unhygienic in more ways that I care to think about #3 and ur giving advice on skincare . As mch as I like to read great tips an advice I switched after reading that especially coming from a woman . Just yuk
Kay
Wait what? Seriously? How ironic for you to be saying she has no credit to be talking about skincare because she doesn’t shower everyday, considering that #1. showering everyday is actually unnecessary because it usually (depending on the products you use) strips your skin of natural oils, #2. not showering everyday is not fucking “unhygienic” or “yucky,” but good job buying into the misleading beliefs made by skincare/hygiene companies (you must be one of those people who also thinks its a good thing if your skin feels super tight after cleansing…poor thing). And #3 what the hell does being a woman have to do with anything? “You’re a woman so you have to be prim and proper and smell like a delicate rose” are you from the fucking 19th century? Get that shit out of here. Just yuck. *micdrop*
Mario Joseph D'Souza
Great reply, particularly the language. You took the words from my mouth.
THOMASINA
100% WHAT YOU SAID EVERY WORD
Linda Johnson
Lol lol kinda what I was thinking.
Norm
In the nineteenth century the majority of the people did not bathe every day. They sponge bathed all the smelly areas, such as underarms, crotch, feet. Not all people at that time had hot running water as we do now and unless they were very well off they did not have soap for bathing, that came in much later in the century.
CATHERINE BRITTINGHAM
WHAT WORLD IS MARGARET MITCHELL IN (GONE WITH THE WIND) PUN OF COURSE! REMARKS ARE MADE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO CANNOT PHYSICAL SHOWER EVERY DAY, LUCKY IF THEY CAN STAY INDEPENDENT AGAINST ALL ODDS. MY MOM TOOK SPONGE BATHS AT THE SINK SHE COULD NOT GET IN THE TUB OR IN THE SHOWER STALL, SHE LIVED ALONE , COULD NOT AFFORD HELP, WHEN FAMILY ARRIVED SHE WAS TOO EMBARRASED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NEVER WEAS SHE NON HYGENIC OR “YUCKY” IF MARGARET IS SO JUDGEMENTAL ABOUT ” YUCKY ” PEOPLE WHO OFFEND HER AND HER ATTITUDES DONATE TIME AND SUPPLIES TO THE NEEDY, AND SEE HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES.
thambiah
In Srilanka , people from north only wash their head once in a a week on Saturday (oil bath) only, other days wash their body very well, in a hot country our people say washing head every day not good for your hair and skull??, and they use sesame seed oil for their body.
for cooking use both coconut and sesame seed oil.
Karen valenti
It’s a known fact that showering everyday is not only unnecessary but sometimes a contributor to skin problems. The skin needs to release its own natural oils to bennifit the skins health; as the skin is the body’s largest organ, not just there for beauty to smell like a peach or flowers. (That’s not to say one shouldn’t clean private areas daily. ) Showering every other day, unless you have a sweaty, dirty job, is sufficient to your body’s cleanliness . Just as washing your hair everyday isn’t good for your hair . Everybody is different , as we all have different skin types / hair types. Wearing the same dirty clothes, even after showering, is usually what causes odor.
Amy
Well put! I was trying to think of a diplomatic way of replying to Margaret Mitchell ‘s comment and I couldn’t come up with anything as nicely and effectively stated as you. Great job! I wanted to add that it is also better for the environment and saves water (especially concerning us affected by drought)… I used to be a 2 shower a day kind of person, and have learned over the years the negative effect it has on my skin and my pocket book. I seldom comment on blog’s, but I couldn’t resist ? Thank you!
And, I also thank red and honey for the argon tip. I am going to look into it for me and my little redheads too ?
zayn
I do disagree much on this….. Have you ever visited an African country ? The heat ,sweat,toxins and you don’t feel taking bath daily is necessary. ..
I actually feel what ever part of the world you are in taking a shower daily is very necessary : we encounter dirt’s daily and they lay on our skins ,how then do you clean them off ?
Tera
It’s actually not good for your skin and hair to shower everyday.
thambiah
In Srilanka , people from north only wash their head once in a a week on Saturday (oil bath) only, other days wash their body very well, in a hot country our people say washing head every day not good for your hair and skull??,
and they use sesame seed oil for their body.
for cooking use both coconut and sesame seed oil.
AJ
That is your opinion, as this article is the opinion of the writer, an my comment is my opinion. Showering daily, or worse, multiple times a day, especially with manufactured synthetic products is more damaging to our bodies inside and out and probably why so many have skin, hair and even vaginal health issues to begin with. It also depends on what a person eats and does in their daily life to determine how fast they may (or may not) develop body odor. She didn’t say she didn’t use deodorant and the like. You might actually be surprised to know how many people nowadays don’t shower daily and you wouldn’t be able to pick them out of a group either. Our bodies are fully capable of producing all of the things it needs to be healthy when fed healthy, nutritive foods. The point is to use natural products whenever possible to keep your body running smoothly. Just as over using antibiotics and hand sanitizer causes us to become ill more frequently, so does washing off our body’s natural defenses. The point of washing is to remove dirt and bad bacteria, not to sterilize our entire body daily so that we are stripped of our immunity to our environment. If you don’t agree, don’t do it. That doesn’t mean you need to pass judgment on others via comments because they don’t agree with your views. It’s time for people to agree to disagree and stop spreading hate and judgement. There is far too much of that in the world already.
Fruity
Very well articulated, thanks for adding your comments.
I wish there were more voices like yours in these comments areas online.
Of course we are conditioned these days to gravitate toward the bleep-heads who want to stir stuff up, so it ain’t goin’ away.
But thanks?
BillsMiss
So correct!!! A Dr explained it to me this way: “we have good bacteria and bad bacteria growing on our bodies, present in our homes, etc. There is a contact battle between the good and the bad and when left to their own devices the good will most certainly always win. The problem is everyone now days is so concerned with sanitizing everything that they only manage to kill the good stuff which allows the bad stuff to run rampant.” You know all the products you see that say kills 99.9% of germs? That’s mostly the good ones.
Sandra Uychich
I agree with you. How on earth is she giving advises about skin treatment if she doesn’t even shower every day…disgusting.
April Miller
Are you that funky? That you need to shower everyday.
Dawn
you’re joking right? Not everyone has strong body odor nor do most need to shower daily as it can be detrimental to the health of your skin and hair. I shower every 2 or 3 days and am far from disgusting! Might use an hygiene wipe occasionally if necessary. But that it a rediculous statement.
Beth
This comment thread is pretty amusing. Thanks to those who leapt to my defence. 🙂
My only reply to you, “Margaret Mitchell” is this. Come to my city for a week, meet up with me every day, and I bet you a million bucks that you won’t be able to tell which days I’ve showered, and which I haven’t.
Serious offer. (I’d love to make an easy million.) 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lin
Not showering daily (or weekly or monthly!) doesn’t have to mean not washing. A washcloth and a sink are all you need! This routine keeps me incredibly clean without exposure to the drying and dangerous effects of chlorine.
Bader Eddine
Argan oil shouldn’t make your hair greasy nor brittle. If it does, then it isn’t 100% pure!!
Here is an article on how to get your hands on genuine Argan oil: https://www.arganfarm.com/buy-argan-oil-stressfree/
All the best!
John Marris
I use coconut oil for as a hair mask.Will you believe it really works and gave good results.Moreover,it has many benefits in cooking,massaging,moisturizing,makeup removing etc. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda Lyn
Great info! I have been searching online to see what natural oils I should be incorporating into my skin – I found everything I was searching for here.
Nicole
I loooove Taproot Farms !!!!!!
Products and prices are great !! ?