Topical Application Of Coconut Water Is Anti-Aging
Tropical And Topical
You have probably heard about the many beauty and anti-aging benefits of drinking coconut water. This delicious beverage offers vitamins, amino acids, sugars, and electrolytes to help hydrate and nourish you on the inside which results in improved skin on the outside. But, did you know that there is scientific evidence that the topical application of coconut water is anti-aging, too? Yes, I said “topical” not “tropical.” Although, coconuts are indeed tropical…
Before we go any further, what does “topical” mean? “Topical” is just a fancy word for something that you apply to your skin like a cream, lotion, or medical salve.
I have experimented with the effects of different foods and drinks for skin care since I was just a kid. Obviously kids are too young to need an anti-aging skin care routine, but weirdos gonna be weird. (My inspiration came from Cosmopolitan magazines that my aunt gave me!) You can read more about that in this article if interested.
Coconut water has always been one of my favorite edible items to use for skin care, because of it’s soothing and nourishing effect!
So grab your sunglasses, flippy flops, and beach towel, because you’re about to go on a tropical (and topical) journey to coconut beach! Weeeeee!!!
In This Article:
- Coconut Water Vs. Coconut Milk
- Nutritional Facts
- Topical Anti-Aging Benefits of Calcium
- Topical Anti-Aging Benefits of Potassium
- Topical Anti-Aging Benefits of Phosphorus
- Topical Anti-Aging Benefits of Magnesium
- Topical Anti-Aging Benefits of Amino Acids, Sugars, and Electrolytes
- Why Food? Why Not Face Cream?
- How To Apply Coconut Water To Your Face: 2 Methods
- How Often Should You Use Coconut Water On Your Face?
What Is Coconut Water, And How Is It Different Than Coconut Milk?
Coconut water and coconut milk are not the same!
When coconuts are green and not fully ripened, they contain a magical liquid called coconut water. By the time the coconut has fully ripened into the brown husky shells we are all familiar with, the coconut water has been absorbed into the white “meat” of the coconut.
However, coconut milk comes from the utters located under a coconut which are relentlessly squeezed until the milk shoots into a pail. I kid, I kid… Seriously this time… The milk comes from the “meat” of the mature coconut. That “meat” is shredded, mixed with hot water, and compressed in a filter to extract the coconut milk.
Here are some major differences between coconut water and coconut milk:
Coconut Water
- 45 calories per cup
- 0% fat per cup
- 4% Calcium
- 10% Potassium
- 13% Phosphorus
- 4% Magnesium
- Delicious drink
- Sold in bottles or cartons for drinking
- NOT good for curries!
- 500 calories per cup
- 48 grams total fat (62% daily value per cup) Back when I worked at a Thai restaurant, I’d order so much fattening delicious curry that the cooks had to cut me off. Ha!
- 3% Calcium
- 42% Iron
- 11% Potassium
- Too high in fat to drink!
- Delicious in curries… Soooo damn delicious
- Sold in tin cans (like canned vegetables)
Anti-Aging Benefits Of Coconut Water On Skin
Topical Anti-Aging Benefits Of Calcium
Jude Phillip, a professor of Biomedical Engineering at John Hopkins Institute for Nanobiotechnology, recently conducted research on cell motility and aging. In the most simple terms, cell motility just means cell movement. Jude and his research team found that on average there was a decrease in cell movement in older people.
In a scientific article found in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, calcium is listed as a prominent regulator that assists in certain cell activities such as motility.
According to the National Library of Medicine, when cell regulators, like calcium, are applied topically, they can have an anti-aging affect.
In other words, topical application of the cell regulator, calcium, can increase cell motility and help you look younger! Coconut water provides a gentle and natural source of calcium.
Topical Anti-Aging Benefits Of Potassium
Potassium is another cell regulator that you can apply topically to achieve an anti-aging effect. According to an article called, “Regulation of Potassium Homeostasis,” by the National Library of Medicine, “potassium plays a key role in maintaining cell function.”
Potassium is even called “THE regulator,” because “it is involved with more than 60 different enzyme systems in plants,” according to The California Foundation for Agriculture.
Coconut water has a significant amount of Potassium that can be applied topically to help you on your anti-aging quest!
“REGULATORS!!! Mount up!” Sorry, Warren G. I couldn’t help myself.
Topical Anti-Aging Benefits Of Phosphorus
In a journal article from Oxford University called, “Molecular Regulators of Phosphate Homeostasis in Plants,” Phosphorus is described as a plant macronutrient that is “involved in the regulation of many biochemical and physiological processes and is an essential building block of cell components such as nucleic acids, membranes, and energy sources.”
So, because phosphorus is also a cell regulator, it too offers anti-aging benefits when applied topically, and there is a good amount of Phosphorus in coconut water!
Topical Anti-Aging Benefits Of Magnesium
Dermatologists recommend the topical application of magnesium to help alleviate acne, dry skin, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Wow! Magnesium for the anti-aging win!! Coconut water offers a natural and gentle source of magnesium that your face will appreciate.
Topical Anti-Aging Benefits of Amino Acids, Sugars, and Electrolytes
Dermatologist Marie Hayag, believes that the amino acids and sugars in coconut water provide moisture and nourishment to the skin.
Diane Madfes, dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, says the electrolytes in coconut water provide a soothing effect on the skin when applied topically.
When your skin is properly nourished, soothed, and hydrated, you will radiate a healthy glow! As I said earlier, I’ve been using coconut water topically for over 20 years, because of the anti-aging work it does to my face and neck. Can’t forget the neck!
Why Food? Why Not Face Cream?
If you are able to find a face cream with all of the same vitamins and nutrients that are found in coconut water, I would say that would be great in a perfect world. However, we do not live in a perfect world.
Many popular cosmetics sold in the U.S. contain unsafe chemical ingredients that aren’t even legal in other countries! Canada and some European nations have banned around 1,300 skin care ingredients, but many of those same ingredients are still legal in the United States which has only banned 11.
Tina Sigurdson, of The Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C., says “Beauty products aren’t preapproved before they hit the market, which surprises a lot of people.” She explains further that companies aren’t even required to ensure product safety, and the FDA has no control over cosmetic product quality, which can be read in this letter from the FDA to Senator Feinstein about the topic.
In other words, it is up to you to protect yourself and your family, because no one else will do it for you. Using edible items for skin care is one way to feel confident that what you are using is not going to cause health problems, like cancer, later on down the road.
Keep checking Seen and Green for future posts with more information on cancer causing cosmetic ingredients.
How To Apply Coconut Water To Your Face: 2 Methods
1. Washcloth Method
- Pour a small amount of coconut water into a bowl, and set it on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
- Pull your hair back, so it is out of the way.
- Gently wash your face and neck with soap or your face wash of choice using warm water.
- Dip a clean wash cloth into the coconut water.
- Gently rub the washcloth across your face and neck to provide an exfoliation effect. Make sure to only move in directions that counter skin sagging, like from nose to ear and from eyebrows up to the scalp line.
- Stop on areas where you see the most signs of aging, and hold the washcloth there for at least 1 minute.
- Do NOT wash the coconut water off of your skin when you are done.
2. Mist Bottle Method
- Pour a very small amount of coconut water into a clean mist bottle, and set it on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
- Pull your hair back, so it is out of the way.
- Gently wash your face and neck with soap or your face wash of choice using warm water.
- Close your eyes and shield them with one hand while spraying the mist onto your face and neck.
- Do NOT wash the coconut water off of your skin when you are done.
- The shelf life of coconut water is only about one week in the refrigerator. So, if you used a plastic spray bottle, you can freeze it for later use. Or, just try to use everything in the bottle within a week.
How Often Should You Use Coconut Water On Your Face?
Variety is the key to success in skin care! That’s why I don’t recommend using coconut water on your face (and neck) every day. It won’t hurt anything if you do, but I recommend switching things up just to keep it fresh. Personally, I enjoy using coconut water topically about 1 to 3 times a week. Check back in the future for more posts on natural skin care hacks!
Sources:
1. Nutritionix, 1 Cup Coconut Milk, https://www.nutritionix.com/food/coconut-milk/1-cup
2. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Skin Anti-Aging Strategies,” July 1, 2012 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583892/
3. MDPI, “Calcium Signaling Regulates Autophagy and Aptosis,” 2021 https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/8/2125
4. Wadas, Gina, “New Study Examines Locomotion of Aging Cells,” March 5, 2021 https://inbt.jhu.edu/new-study-examines-locomotion-of-aging-cells/
5. Palmer, Biff F., “Regulation of Potassium Homeostasis,” National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information, June 5, 2015 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4455213/#:~:text=Potassium%20plays%20a%20key%20role,potential%20difference%20across%20the%20membrane.
6. California Foundation for Agriculture, “Plant Nutrients-Potassium,” https://www.bcaitc.ca/sites/default/files/resources/potassium.pdf
7. Oxford Academic, “Molecular Regulators of Phosphate Homeostasis in Plants,” Journal of Experimental Botany, April 2009 https://academic.oup.com/jxb/article/60/5/1427/480099
8. Shemek, Dr. Lori, PHD, “Magnesium for Skin: Why It’s the Best Wrinkile-Fighting Supplement,” Dr. Lori Shemek, January 17, 2020 https://drlorishemek.com/magnesium-for-skin-why-its-the-best-wrinkle-fighting-supplement/
9. Quinn, Daley, “Benefits of Coconut Water For Skin: How to Get That Dewy Glow,” Healthline, February 19, 2021 https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/benefits-of-coconut-water-for-skin
10. Becker, Katie, “10 American Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned In Other Countries,” Cosmopolitan, November 8, 2016 https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g7597249/banned-cosmetic-ingredients/
11. Dayle, Cristinzio, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services letter, October 5, 2016 https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2/6/2619f3d2-f537-405c-b6e0-759aacb7d09c/C2C841EA1ADC6C76FC295473995A1A24.response-feinstein-cosmetics.pdf