Should You Use Coconut Water On Your Skin?
About the author: Jana Levin is a beauty-obsessed Public Relations major from Los Angeles. She does not represent any of the brands mentioned. Jana is an expert in (mostly) chemical-free and safe-for-(extremely) sensitive-skin beauty products. For more, please visit our About page.
What is good for your body may be good for your skin – such may be the case with coconut water, as Natural Product Expert Jana Levin found out.
While I’ve always been a fan of the taste of coconuts, I never thought I would be praising the fruit’s moisturizing properties. But I’m doing just that. I have extremely sensitive skin that easily turns red and reacts to many mainstream products. My face is also on the dry side, so I love moisturizer. Because of these sensitivities, I have turned to unconventional methods for my skincare routine, in which coconut is a star player. (Please remember that everyone’s skin is different. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa, but if you have very sensitive skin like I do, or have been unlucky with mainstream products, this could be a great new ingredient for you.)
I’ve recently started drinking coconut water ALL the time. (I find regular coconut water to taste awful, but you can get chocolate flavored coconut water by ZICO that tastes exactly like chocolate milk. So good!) I was turned on to this drink–which is extracted from young, green coconuts–because I have heard a great deal about its health benefits, such as its high percentage of potassium. I was recently indulging in a cold glass of chocolate coconut water, when I began to wonder if the health benefits this thirst quencher provides for the body could translate to the skin, if applied topically. After all, coconut oil is such a great moisturizer, and according to a 2010 study is a great skin healer, so could coconut water have a similar effect? I was eager to find out.
The Experiment
Jana dips coconut water on a cotton ball and applies to her face instead of toner.
I ventured to my nearest market and bought the original flavored coconut water (I stuck with the ZICO brand), and my experiment was put into effect. I saturated a cotton ball with the white liquid and spread it on my face. Sure enough, there was makeup on the cotton ball, so I know it removed the little amount of makeup that I wear. Better yet, my skin was left glowing. It wasn’t red, which is usually how my skin reacts to any sort of cleanser, and it looked smooth and hydrated. The next day my mom was staring at me, and when I questioned her, she responded, “Your skin looks pretty.” What?! This is a compliment I have never received. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. I certainly got the results I wanted on a physical level, but what was the science behind my success?
The Science of Coconut Water
Using coconut water as a toner may aid sensitive skin due to the fact that it is rich in kinetin, a naturally soothing antioxidant. (Photo credit: Mags_cat)
A 2009 article notes that “…ingredients such as green coconut water… support hydration and preserve skin elasticity. The results of a clinical study showed that treatment with a cream containing Cococin™, a patented coconut water, significantly improved skin elasticity, which was manifested in decreased skin roughness and improved skin tone.” Hydrated, smooth skin? Yes, please! The article continued to assure: “Such ingredients can effectively be used for oral and topical applications and serve as a natural pool of nutrients and growth factors that support healthy aging.”
A study published in 2009 looks into the specific ingredients that make coconut water so beneficial. One of the components highlighted in the article, kinetin, has been identified as a great anti-aging ingredient. The article states, “Based on the results obtained from studies on the anti-ageing effects of kinetin on human skin cells, skin care products containing kinetin were subsequently developed to treat photo-damaged skin.” Though coconut water is not as potent a source of kinetin as the concentrated kinetin in products like Kinerase Ultimate Night Moisturizer ($135.25, Amazon.com), it is cheaper and can be consumed as well as applied topically. [Read More: Which Helps the Skin More - Eating ore Topically Applying an Ingredient?]
Bottom Line
From both personal use and scientific data – coconut water can be an effective toner or refreshing facial mist! As with any new product, however, you may wish to patch-test on a small bit of skin first.
Related articles
About Author
Contributing Writer Jana Levin is a beauty obsessed, Public Relations major from Los Angeles who is currently studying in Boston. As a redhead with the self-described “translucent pale, sensitive complexion” that comes with her colored mane, Jana is a fan of the more natural products. She’ll be giving insight into what she has tested out over the years, and why she chose to be (mostly) chemical-free with her beauty products. She believes in natural beauty, but still supports the science behind cosmetics. She aims her posts at those with sensitive skin like her own.
View all Jana Levin posts.(5) Readers Comments
Leave A Reply
Leave a Reply
Pony
Wow- I must try this. I see that coconut water in the store every time I am there, and I keep wanting to try it, but I always put it off. Now I really need to get some. I have yet to find my “just right” product for toning. Most of them burn my skin or dry it out. Thank you for this article!
Jana Levin
I know the feeling! Would love to hear how it works for you–just remember to do a patch test first!!
Robin
I love the taste of coconut water!!! I appreciate that I can apply it to my face and drink it at the same time
Pony
I picked some up the next day, and so far so good! It feels really nice and refreshing when I use it, and no irritation or drying. I call it a success! (and how often can you take sips of your toner while you’re doing your cleansing routine? Hahaha!)
Heather
I am one of the seemingly few who love the taste of unsweetened coconut water. Some may prefer it with vitamin C added as a preservative, since an off batch doesn’t taste good.
Consuming 12 ounces daily noticeably helps my dry skin. I also sometimes pour a little in my hand to use as a light hand lotion.