VIRGIN COCONUT OIL FACT SHEET

All about Coconut Oils

I bet you don’t know there is a difference.

Note: Volcanic Earth only uses virgin coconut oil in all its products. The coconuts are organically grown in Vanuatu and no artificial chemicals, additives or preservatives of any kind are used in its production. In fact it is made traditionally, the same way as the islanders have made it for centuries. This does make our coconut oil more expensive as other companies use coconut oil made by the copra method, which produces more oil (see below for a definition of copra method) but chemicals must be used in the purification process.

Virgin Coconut Oil can only be achieved by using fresh coconut meat and milk or what is called the non-copra method.

What is the difference between coconut oils?

Most commercial grade coconut oils are made from copra. Copra is basically the dried meat of the coconut. It can be made by smoke drying, sun drying, or kiln drying, or derivatives or a combination of these three. If standard copra is used as a starting material, the unrefined coconut oil extracted from copra is not suitable for consumption and must be purified - i.e. refined. This is because the way most copra is dried is very unsanitary. Most of the copra is dried under the sun in the open air, where it is exposed to insects and moulds. The standard end product made from copra is RBD coconut oil. RBD stands for refined, bleached, and deodorized. Both high heat and chemicals (e.g. solvent extractions) are used in this method. RBD oil is also often hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. Hydrogenated oils have been shown to increase serum cholesterol levels, which contribute to heart disease.

One of the main differences between Virgin Coconut oil and refined coconut oils is the scent and taste. All Virgin Coconut Oils retain a distinct fragrance and taste of coconuts, whereas the copra-based refined coconut oils have no taste or fragrance at all due to the refining process.

Why is coconut oil generally the best type of oil for you to use on your skin?

The answer is free radicals.

Most commercial creams and lotions are predominantly water. Their moisture is quickly absorbed into dry, wrinkled skin. As the water enters the skin, it expands the tissues, like filling a balloon with water, so that wrinkles fade away and the skin feels smoother. But this is only temporary. As soon as the water evaporates or is carried away by the blood stream, the dry, wrinkled skin returns.

As we age, connective tissue fibres are continually subjected to free-radical attack, which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its ability to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery. Once a free-radical reaction is started it can cause a chain reaction that produces more free radicals, which ultimately damages thousands of molecules. The only way our body has to fight them is with antioxidants. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, the chain reaction is stopped. For this reason, it is good to have plenty of antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect us.

Virgin Coconut Oil is especially useful in fighting free radicals, as it is unrefined and hasn't been stripped of any of its natural components through the refining process. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even promote skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil.

Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even promote skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil.

One of the classic signs of old age is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots or liver spots. It is a sign of free-radical deterioration of the lipids (fats) in our skin, thus the name lipofuscin. Oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein by free radical activity in the skin is recognized as the major cause of liver spots. Liver spots don't ordinarily hurt or show any signs of discomfort. If we couldn't see them we wouldn't even know they were there. But they do affect our health and our appearance. Because cells cannot dispose of the lipofuscin pigment, it gradually accumulates within many cells of the body as we age. Once lipofuscin pigment develops, it tends to stick around for life, but you can prevent further oscitation and perhaps even reduce liver spots you already have by using the right kind of oils in your diet and on your skin.

The ideal lotion is one that is made from oil that softens the skin, but also protects it against damage, promoting healing and giving the skin a more youthful, healthy appearance. Coconut oil fits that description. Pure virgin coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion available. It prevents destructive free-radical formation and provides protection against them. It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it may even restore damaged or diseased skin. Virgin Coconut Oil can help keep the skin from developing liver spots, and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause. While it is not a natural sunblock, Coconut Oil IS the perfect, natural treatment for relieving sunburn and is itself, a natural exfoliant.

		"I've sent my feedback about your products. Oh! my gosh! I couldn't believe it! What "Award Winning" products! I can see the difference on my skin. I absolutely love the Coconut Vanilla Bath oil. I use it on my hair & skin. I've noticed wow! what a difference? It smells so divine! The magic ingredients, I absolutely love it! Finally I've found a product that has been used over thousands of years and I'm so glad its got protection on the skin and dramatic difference! Even my friends at work said my face was glowing! Take care, Shirla".
Shirla Wall - Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia

Coconut Oil Skin Care will not only bring temporary relief to the skin, but it will aid in healing and repairing. Experience the lasting coconut anti-aging benefits. Coconut Oil skin elasticity helps bring back a youthful appearance. The oil will aid in removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine". As a natural moisturizer, coconut oil also penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin to strengthen the underlying tissues. Unrefined coconut oil is not only excellent for the skin, but for hair as well.

Virgin Coconut Oil is also known to help protect against degenerative disease, heart disease, arthritis, cancer and diabetes.

When isn't Virgin Coconut Oil the best type of oil for you to use on your skin?

When pure Tamanu Oil is more appropriate and provided you don't have an allergy to nuts. Made from the nut kernels of the Tamanu Tree, this rich, deep green oil is the best natural treatment for any of the following: -

• the treatment of acne or acne scars
• reduction and removal of age spots
• the relief of neuralgia, sciatica and rheumatism
• foot odor or body odor
• headache relief
• burns and/or scars
• insect bites
• psoriasis

To find out more about Tamanu Oil and and our Tamanu Oil body products, please visit our Tropical First Aid page.