Coconut oil can be very efficient as a tanning oil. For centuries, people in Europe, America and Australia have been craving certain elements of life that are obvious and natural in tropical and warm countries, like those in South America and parts of Asia.
Primarily, people love strong sunshine and a warm climate. Secondly, they want bronze-colored, sun-tanned skin. White people are crazy over tanning their skin, which people in other places, like India, don’t really care about, because they are born with naturally darker skin.
It is interesting that some people with fairer complexion try mimicking Westerners, whether they need it or not. So, since tanned skin is in such a huge demand, a perfect tanning oil will obviously be in great demand too as well. Some sort of oil that will not only give them a tanned skin, but also healthy, shining skin. Finally, if it can also protect against the dangers of scorching sunlight, infections, and wrinkles and will still make the skin shiny and smooth, then it would be very valuable. This is where Coconut oil as a form of tanning oil comes into play.
Coconut tanning oil is not necessarily pure coconut oil, although you can also use pure coconut oil for the same purpose. It may be a blend of many components such as coconut oil (virgin coconut oil is preferred), herbal extracts, essential oils, vitamins (generally Vitamin-B & E), Lipsimal Tyrosines, butter, hemp seed oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and copper based colors.
Let us see what this ideal tanning oil can do for the skin and the health benefits that are included with its use.
Why Use Coconut Oil for Tanning?
Nourishes Skin
Besides giving a tanned look, tanning oil should nourish the skin as well. Coconut oil takes care of this aspect due to the presence of various vitamins and fatty acids. It contains medium chain fatty acids like vitamin E (source: USDA), capric acid, caprylic acid, and, lauric acid. [1]
Coconut oil is helpful in boosting energy. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Protects Skin
During tanning, the skin remains exposed to strong sunlight and there are many chances of it being harmed by the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The stable, saturated fats of coconut oil are similarly present in coconut tanning oil and it cuts down this damage to a great extent by forming a protective layer on the skin.
Fights Infections
Once more, since the skin remains exposed for hours while tanning, it is an open invitation for microbes and fungal spores and is very susceptible to infections. Thanks to the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of fatty acids like Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Caproic Acid, Myristic Acid and Lauric Acid present in coconut oil, your skin is guarded against infections.
Retains Moisture
Obviously, when the skin is subjected to the scorching sun, the moisture will be lost from it. It is at this point that it starts cracking and wrinkling. The stable saturated fats reduce this loss of moisture from the skin considerably by forming a layer on the skin.
Reduces Skin Inflammation
Coconut tanning oil soothes skin in case of possible inflammation resulting from strong sun, dust, allergenic particles, or other environmental factors. It also keeps skin smooth and gives it a shiny look. These are all due to the presence of coconut oil.
Good Absorption
Coconut oil is very easily absorbed into the skin, so coconut tanning oil is as well. This makes the tanning ingredients present in it activate the melanin below the skin quicker and thus creates that highly desirable tanned look in a shorter exposure time.
Many tanning products include coconut oils as one of the main ingredients. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Other Benefits
Coconut oil present in the tanning oil aids in the formation of Vitamin-D, due to the reaction of sunlight on the fat layer below the skin. This is light, non-sticky and long lasting, meaning that it will not become rancid for a long time. What’s more, coconut tanning oil has a long shelf life, much longer than other tanning oils.
So, when you are picking your tanning oil from a wide variety, choose coconut tanning oil, which is any tanning oil that contains a predominant amount of coconut oil. Coconut tanning oil is one of the best tanning oils that is available. To mimic original tanning, you can use this oil without even going into the sun if you are careful to avoid exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation from the sun but still want that attractive, tanned look.
