Coconut oil and Kertosis Pilaris

This has nothing to do with Wreakage or Exploring. I just realized I had too much to say on this subject, so decided to post it here, rather than in a long FB post.

Coconut oil and Keratosis pilaris.

So a couple days ago I began the search for Coconut oil because the internet claimed it would be a freakin' miracle for my 'chicken skin'. Google Keratosis pilaris (KP), if you want to know more.

Because you want to know about my personal hygiene, this I know, I'll tell you that I have this KP thing all over my upper arms. Red bumps that often pop out in acne like pimples. I kinda hate it.

So Coconut oil is supposed to help the red, the bumps, the shame and the embarrassment of not having perfect skin go away.

Since it's also inexpensive and natural I figured it was worth a shot.

So about 4 days ago I found some at the local, mostly all natural, grocery store.

Most of the internet research I did suggested using it along with an exfoliation routine. Most websites suggested a brown sugar and coconut oil scrub - which just sounded sticky.

So I went to my old stand by - baking soda.

Baking soda is awesome. It cleans stuff - like the counter tops, the grunge around the bathtub and my hair.

Yup, I wash my hair with Baking soda and water. That's it. (FYI: baking soda will not wash coconut oil out of your hair. So I did (for shame) use shampoo to wash the coconut oil treatment out of my hair)

Anyway, baking soda exfoliate; cuz it's already in my bathroom and I know its good a breaking down oils and the like.

KP is a excess of Keratin built up around the hair follicles. Keratin is what your hair and nails are made of and that's about all I know about it. And really all I care to know.

So back to getting rid of excess KP: 1. Exfoliation and 2. Moisturizing.

Which is all good and a routine I've tried before - with regular cream based moisturizers, which maybe(?) helped the KP but clogged my pours and produced acne. yuck.

Coconut oil is different. In fact it's down right weird.

At room temperature, and I mean a cool room, it's a solid that looks a lot like lard. Any heat and it liquefies almost instantly. It's clear, not yellow like olive or grape seed oil.

It doesn't taste like anything and it doesn't smell like coconuts - at least not the brand I bought.

When you hold a chunk of it in your hand looks and it melts like an ice cube, but it's not cold, so it's just plain odd.

Anyway - for the last few day's I've been following the exfoliation and moisturizing routine daily. My skin drinks up the oil and after about 30 minutes my skin does not feel greasy.

And, long story, finally getting to it's point - I am happy to report a decrease in the redness on my arms and a decrease in the bumpiness. It's not totally gone. I'm not sure it ever will be, but I am content that it's doing 'something' and that's good.

 Is it the exfoliation? Is it the coconut oil? Both? No idea.

Since I started both as new routines I can't say for sure which or both is the winner here. I'm not sure I care. As many people know once you find something that works (especially when it comes to vanity) it's best not to question it too much.

Bonus (or not) my cat likes the taste of it and now grooms my arms regularly. Maybe that's the REAL cure - cat saliva!

So there you go. Another internet claim about the the miracle that is coconut oil that as no scientific basis and is just one persons meager experience of 4 days - but OMG I used coconut oil on an unsightly skin condition and the results will astound you! 

I can't help up I love upworthyish headlines.





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