Does coconut oil make you darker

Coconut oil has been a rage for decades and this only continues today. A majority of people grow up either hearing about the benefits or actually using coconut oil on their skin and hair. Many people are also using coconut oil to help with the tanning process.

Do you wonder – can you tan with coconut oil? How can it affect your skin and the tanning process? Well simply put, yes, coconut oil can help you get a smooth and dark tan. Coconut oil helps attract and focus the sunlight onto your skin to help you get a darker tan quickly. 

In case you’re planning to use coconut oil to tan, read on to know why and how to apply it to your skin and how it works to help with tanning. 

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is the rich oil extracted from the fruit coconut. According to Research Gate, it is rich in essential skin nutrients like vitamin E and lauric acid, making it ideal for your skin. Besides that, the oil also contains myristic acid, caprylic acid, palmitic acid, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats.

Does coconut oil help you tan? While the high-fat content of coconut oil can nourish your skin, the SPF level is very limited. The SPF level of coconut oil is only 8, which is insufficient in blocking the UV radiation and the damage. It becomes necessary to apply a quality sunscreen with SPF 30 to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation while tanning. 

How Can Coconut Oil Help You Tan?

When most people begin tanning, they often wonder if and how tanning with coconut oil can help. 

Now that you know the oil can help you with the tanning process, here are a few ways it can benefit you:

Allows Intake of Vitamin D:

A majority of sunscreens and tanning lotions available in the market today claim their effectiveness. While they can help protect your skin, they might also block the vitamin D from the a tanning bed or the sun being delivered to your skin.

Vitamin D can play a pivotal role not just for your skin but also for overall health. Coconut oil doesn’t restrict the vitamin D from the sunlight to reach your skin. It can block the UVA rays but will not affect the absorption of the vitamin by your skin. 

Triggers Melanin Production:

When UV radiation from the sunlight reaches your skin, it penetrates to reach deeper layers of the skin. The radiation can trigger cells known as melanocytes to produce chemical melanin. Melanin is responsible for darkening your skin or producing a tanned look.

The process of melanin usually occurs when you are exposed to sunlight. However, coconut oil can also do that without you having to step out in the sun. It enables you to get tanned faster and requires less sun exposure.

Brings Natural Shine:

Prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV radiation can take away moisture from your skin. You may end up with dry and dull skin after sunbathing. Your skin may also lose its natural structure after tanning.

Coconut oil stays on your skin for a longer period of time and adds a shine to your dull skin. You can run coconut oil to nourish your skin from within to add instant shine.    

Moisturizes Skin:

Although many tanners tend to ignore it, proper moisturizing is key to a good tan. Your skin can lose moisture during the tanning process with exposure to radiation and the use of lotions or tanners. 

Heat can lead to loss of moisture, causing dry skin along with cracks, peeling, or even sunburns. Coconut oil is a rich liquid that doesn’t evaporate fast. It can moisturize the layers of your skin while ensuring it doesn’t get dry or break down from heat or stress. 

Antibacterial Properties:

Exposure to direct sunlight can damage your skin and sometimes might even lead to the breakdown of skin and openings. Such parts become a breeding ground for bacteria, microbes, and fungus leading to severe skin issues.

Applying coconut oil on the skin can prove beneficial since it contains MCT, also known as medium-chain triglycerides. The MCTs are renowned for their antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. You can apply coconut oil to tan not just on the affected area but all over your skin to avoid any infections.

No Side-Effects:

While you are tanning, you are already exposing your skin to plenty of things, and adding more stress would be the last thing you want. Coconut oil has no harmful ingredients and properties. It can take care of your skin without causing any harm or side effects. 

How to Use Coconut Oil for Tanning?

If you wish to enjoy the benefits of coconut oil while tanning, it is imperative to use it the right way. Follow these easy yet effective steps to get a dark and smooth tan with coconut oil:

Find the Right Coconut Oil:

While most people don’t realize, there are various types of coconut oil available in the market. You can use different types like non-organic, organic, unrefined, refined, virgin, and even extra virgin coconut oil. Besides that, they can also differ by the process of extraction.

We Recommend: Handcrafts Blends Coconut Oil

In order to get the desired results from tanning, it is essential to choose the most suitable ones. When you’re choosing organic oil for your skin, you must opt for unrefined, organic, or virgin coconut oil. They have the most nutrients that are good for your skin. 

Exfoliate Your Skin:

Similar to any other tanning session, you must prepare your skin by exfoliating. Choose a natural and gentle product to exfoliate your skin well. It will remove the dead skin cells and give you smooth skin that can hold the tan.  

We Recommend: Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant

Prepare the Coconut Oil:

When exposed to lower temperatures, coconut oil turns into a solid. If it is above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, the oil will be in liquid form, but it will be solid below 76 degrees. Before you begin applying coconut oil, you must ensure it is in liquid form.

If it is in solid form, you must first melt it. Take a bowl of hot water, place the jar of oil into the bowl, and let it sit for 15 minutes. You can even consider making special tanning oils at home to tan more effectively. 

Apply It to Your Skin:

Once your oil is melted, you can begin applying it all over your skin. Take a generous amount of coconut oil for tanning outside and massage it gently all over your skin. Make sure you cover all your body properly to ensure nourishment and get an even tan. 

Tan Outdoors:

After that, you can step out in the sunlight to expose your skin to UV radiation. Whether you are on your terrace or on the beach, don’t sit in the sun for more than 20 minutes at once. You must also keep changing your position to avoid overexposing a particular body part.

Besides applying sunscreen and lip balm with SPF, use sunglasses to protect your eyes from direct sunlight. You must also carefully choose the right time to tan outside to get a darker skin tone safely.   

Use Coconut Oil Frequently:

If you plan to stay out for long, it is wise to reapply coconut oil generously on your skin after every 20-30 minutes. It will offer you better results and protection. 

Related Questions:

What Is the Best Oil for Tanning?

Tanning enthusiasts use all kinds of oils to accelerate the tanning process, including both natural and artificial products. Coconut oil tends to work the best for tanning. It is organic, rich in nutrients, and helps you get tanned in less time. 

Can Coconut Oil Lighten or Darken the Skin?

Using coconut oil while tanning can help attract and focus all the sunlight on your skin, which helps accelerate the tanning process. The oil can also boost the production of melanin, resulting in a darker tan. Coconut oil can help you achieve a darker skin tone in less time. 

What Can I Use to Tan Faster?

There are numerous artificial products that claim to help you tan faster. You can invest in tanning oils or lotions available in the market or choose a natural oil to get a tan in less time. Coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, and even baby oil can be used for the tanning process.

Does Coconut Oil Make Your Skin Glow?

Coconut oil is abundant with plenty of nutrients that can do wonders for your skin and overall health. It can not only nourish your skin by hydrating it but also treat and prevent dryness from tanning. You can get glowing and smooth skin by using coconut oil.

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