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"  &amp;quot;First it was coconut milk, then coconut water, and now coconut oil\u2014and I think a big part of the recent popularity is that it&amp;#039;s natural, not synthetic, which is so appealing,&amp;quot; says Francesca Fusco, MD, a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC. Coconut oil, unlike mineral oil (another proven highly effective moisturizer) delivers on the same skin softening but possibly more effectively. &amp;quot;Research has shown that from the use of coconut oil on skin, hydration improved and skin surface lipids remained in tact,&amp;quot; she says. And when it comes to &amp;quot;thick, scaly, fissured feet, or rough leathery elbows and knees, coconut oil might have the advantage over regular moisturizer.&amp;quot; And it could also be the answer to chronic skin conditions such as eczema, too. &amp;quot;Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer and good anti-inflammatory, so its use for eczema is on the rise,&amp;quot; says Ted Lain, MD, a dermatologist in Austin, Texas. &amp;quot;We know that it has inherent moisturizing properties just from its oily consistency, and that the anti-inflammatory effects are likely related to antioxidants such as polyphenols.&amp;quot; Lain points out a recent double-blinded study comparing mineral oil to coconut oil as topical treatment for children with eczema. &amp;quot;It showed that 46 percent of patients using the coconut oil had an excellent response as compared to only 19 percent of patients using only mineral oil.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;The combination of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial and hydrating properties make it truly unique,&amp;quot; says Whitney P. Bowe, MD, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology PC in Westchester and NYC. &amp;quot;Coconut oil is primarily composed of saturated fats and contains medium-chain fatty acids, which not only help to repair the skin barrier and trap water, thus hydrating the skin, they also reduce inflammation.&amp;quot; Bowe suggests gently rubbing a few drops of the oil into the skin around the eyes nightly using your fingertips, but rubbing a more generous amount onto legs, elbows, knees and heels &amp;quot;to help smooth the skin and trap moisture.&amp;quot; Along with hydration, and lessening inflammation, coconut oil has also been shown to be capable of quenching free radicals. &amp;quot;The antioxidant property of coconut oil is thought to be due to cphenolic compounds (specifically ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid),&amp;quot; explains Bowe.  But the benefits of coconut oil don&amp;#039;t stop at the skin, says Fusco. &amp;quot;The real benefit, with which I have the most experience, is with scalp and hair application,&amp;quot; she says. In one study, coconut oil reduced protein loss in both damaged\u2014and undamaged\u2014hair when used before shampooing and as a leave-in treatment. &amp;quot;Coconut oil is able to penetrate the hair shaft due to its low molecular weight and affinity for proteins,&amp;quot; says Fusco, who tells her patients to use Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy Conditioner, which is formulated with coconut oil, &amp;quot;because it is easier to rinse out than pure coconut oil.&amp;quot; However, there are tons of real life testimonials that say slathering the real deal on strands and skin are all a part of a daily beauty routine\u2014and that most don&amp;#039;t mind the luxe feel or the results. Smoother hair. More shine. Not to mention crazy soft skin. But not everyone should apply it head-to-toe, such as those prone to breakouts and who have very oily skin. Fusco suggests dropping some into your go-to face cream to take the hydration factor up a notch without going oil overboard. And Lain agrees: &amp;quot;I feel comfortable recommending this as a daily moisturizer to patients for their face and body,&amp;quot; says Lain. &amp;quot;My only reservation is for people with acne-prone skin, as it may be comedogenic, however, the anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits of the polyphenols also make coconut oil part of a rejuvenating skincare regimen.&amp;quot; The other undeniable pro? The smell. &amp;quot;Coconut oil has an appealing aroma too,&amp;quot; says Fusco. &amp;quot;It reminds us of summer, vacation and pina coladas.&amp;quot; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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