Today, coconut oil, such as cold-pressed coconut oil, can exist in almost every aspect of daily life. Its increased need takes into consideration the numerous wonderful benefits it provides for health and well-being. Clearly, this demand has resulted in the expansion of products available on the global market.
Nowadays, companies use coconut oil in the food industry, cosmetics and beauty industry, health and weight-loss industry, pharmaceutical industry, and for personal use. Therefore, the excessive want for coconut oil resulted in the development of different types of derivation processes and product quality.
You can find information, such as refined or unrefined, organic or non-organic, virgin or extra virgin, cold-pressed or centrifuge, on the labels of many coconut oil products. The different labeling demonstrates that not all of these products are the same, and therefore, not of the same quality.
Becoming familiar with these terms remains of the utmost importance when decoding product labels. This also helps you make an informed decision when purchasing. To avoid buying a product labeled “healthy” and “beneficial,” but in fact harmful, you need to be aware of its origin and process of production.
What is Cold Pressed Coconut Oil?
So, why cold-pressed coconut oil over any other kind of coconut oil? As the name suggests, cold-pressed coconut oil is derived without the use of heat. The manufacturer “presses” the raw coconut “meat” to extract the oil between rotating circular presses at a temperature of around 120ºF.
This method extracts the least amount of coconut oil compared to other extraction methods. However, it results in a high-quality and extremely pure product. Accordingly, coconut oil derived from using cold pressing methods remains the most expensive. Cold-pressed coconut oil is considered raw because it retains all the nutrients and beneficial compounds from the coconut.
While time-consuming and labor-intensive (and as a result, slightly more expensive), it remains one of the best ways to retain coconut oil’s nutritive benefits. The oil becomes pure, unrefined, and not deodorized. This results in the oil still having a pleasant coconut scent and taste.
Other commonly used derivation processes consist of centrifuge extraction or expeller-pressed extraction. Both these processes involve more mechanically intensive measures and use higher temperatures. Because of the increased heat, the oil loses some of the essential nutrients during extraction. The less heat applied during the extraction process, the less harsh the processing method on the oil.
Refined vs Unrefined Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil in its most natural state does not require any refining.
When it comes to cold-pressed coconut oil, the oil remains in its pure form. This process keeps the natural coconut aroma, taste, color, and all the other beneficial properties. Raw means that unrefined coconut oil becomes processed as little as possible and contains no additives.
Low-quality coconut oil derived from dried coconut meat using high heat does not work the same. The process of refining a product, in this case coconut oil, is intended for low-quality oil. This oil requires refining in order to be a commercially acceptable product.
In order to make this kind of coconut oil appear clear, white, and odorless, manufacturers use strong chemicals to bleach and clean the oil. This process removes the natural flavor, aroma, and beneficial properties. Unfortunately, this results in a harmful and potentially toxic product.
Unrefined coconut oil, also known as extra virgin coconut oil, remains a higher-quality alternative.
Why Cold Pressed Coconut Oil is the Best Natural Choice?
The term “organic” describes the cultivation process of the coconuts used in the production of the oil. Generally, not all coconut palms are cultivated equally. Taking into consideration the great demand for the product, coconut farms grow an immense number of coconut palms. They also use many modern chemicals and pesticides to improve the quantity and quality of coconuts.
The use of different types of fertilizer and pesticides during the farming process or other post-harvest applications can result in the presence of harmful substances in the final product.
Organic coconut oil grown without the use of pesticides means no genetic modifications. Accordingly, the oil extracted from these coconuts remains safe and assures high quality and pureness.
What are the Benefits of Cold Pressed Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil remains one of the most sensible purchases you can make as a beauty care product. If you strive to give your body all the amazing benefits that pure coconut oil can deliver, you should choose extra-virgin, natural cold-pressed coconut oil. That way, you’ll know you’re getting all the amazing qualities that make coconut oil such an all-around outstanding beauty product.
This type of oil retains all its natural properties without any additional harmful substances. These substances can decrease or reduce the cosmetic benefits of raw coconut oil. Let’s take a look at all the benefits of cold-pressed coconut oil:
1. Healthy and Clear Skin
There are numerous benefits of cold-pressed coconut oil for the skin.The nutrients in cold-pressed coconut oil include medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also known as triglycerides. The immunity-boosting and disease-fighting acids – lauric, caprylic, and capric – compose these fatty acids in abundance. Each of these three acids has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that help protect your skin from harmful elements from the environment. This keeps your skin healthy and lowers the appearance of acne.
2. Nurtured and Revitalized Skin
One of the significant benefits of MFCAs is their ability to revitalize dry or problematic skin. The quick absorption rate of coconut oil allows it to infuse cells with moisture and nutritive goodness. You can apply raw, cold-pressed coconut oil to your skin to moisturize it and soothe dry spots. Use it also as a substitute for many cosmetic products to preserve a healthy glow.
3. Rejuvenation
Coconut oil has the natural ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while also slowing down the skin’s aging process. These powerful moisturizing properties make the skin appear more supple while also supporting rejuvenation and regeneration. With aging, the skin suffers from a decreased ability to regenerate itself and loses its elasticity.
Coconut oil may stimulate collagen production, resulting in more youthful-looking skin. It is also rich in vitamin E. This further contributes to your skin’s ability to heal itself and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
It’s important to remember that all these benefits can only be provided by pure cold-pressed coconut oil. Otherwise, the presence of harmful chemicals will reduce the positive effects of coconut oil and may possibly harm the skin and overall health.
4. Long-lasting product
Cold-pressed coconut oil has a longer shelf life than any other type of coconut oil. It can be safely stored on your shelf in a container, away from sunlight or direct heat, for about two years without going rancid. However, you might end up using this oil for your beauty and self-care needs regularly. You may go through it and finish your supply well before the expiration date.
Natural Cold Pressed Coconut Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair
So, where to buy cold-pressed coconut oil? And what is the best cold-pressed coconut oil?
Consider purchasing products from companies that use sustainable sources and incorporate ethical production of coconut oil. This, as well as purchasing high-quality cold-pressed coconut oil for your personal health, remains important for the planet’s and communities’ recovery.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, increased demand for coconut oil has increased its production. To satisfy the needs of the consumerist world, large companies and corporations use questionable methods in the production process. This encompasses everything from harvesting to delivering the final product.
Rural farmers forced to do labor-intensive work in exchange for an extremely low salary leave entire communities hopeless and in extreme poverty. But major corporations continue making millions. This is why choosing a fair trade product produced with ethical practices and using sustainable sources is very important.
By purchasing Kapuluan’s raw, natural, cold-pressed coconut oil, you not only reap the benefits for your skin and hair. You also help us contribute to the wellness of the coconut-cultivating communities in the Philippines.
We plant a coconut palm tree for each purchased product. Every day, we strive to contribute to the long-term success and wellness of the Philippine coconut cultivating communities. By planting new coconut palms, we help coconut farmers rebound from the destruction of typhoons and increase the Philippines’ high potential to mitigate global warming.
Therefore, always seek more information on the product and its entire process of production before deciding to buy it.
