The idea of a healthy lifestyle, along with the science underpinning it, has had an on again off again relationship with coconut oil but when it comes to lip care, is it a sensible choice to buy organic lip care products that contain it?

The appeal of this fruit, seed and nut (yes loosely speaking it is all three while botanically it is categorized as a drupe) comes naturally to us and its oil is known to be high in saturated fats. There is scientific evidence that as a part of a healthy diet it can increase good cholesterol while decreasing the bad one but even then it should be consumed in moderation. One may think what can possibly be wrong with using coconut oil for hydrating the lips, after all it smells yummy, costs next to nothing and many beauticians and top beauty brands have been using it for all sorts of purposes be it hair care, makeup or skincare.

Coconut oil may not be the hero everyone wanted it to be

Many experts and brands have been posing it as the elixir that can help us bid farewell to all our worries. Several models have an unwavering commitment to using it for maintaining their smooth complexion and glossy strands of hair but beware of the risks it can pose if you go overboard with it. It can cause lip acne according to dermatologists and you must cover your ground before following a fad otherwise your lips can end up in a worse state than the dry or chapped state that made you pick it in the first place.

There are all sorts of varying types of acne breakouts in the lip area and knowing the type one is dealing with can be the first step in finding a solution. Pimples are basically the kind that is formed when hair follicles that have been clogged get inflamed. They may be cause because of using products that are causing an allergic reaction as individuals can have specific sensitivities towards certain ingredients. Cold sores on the other hand are fluid filled lesions that are caused by the herpes simplex virus and take the form of an infection. Sometimes cold sores appear when you catch a flu or cold.

Avoiding substances that cause all these types of acne

Let us consider some of the key aspects we need to bear in mind when looking up “natural lip care products Pakistan '' and look at some of ways in which we can choose them based on their ingredients. One commonly used term you need to familiarize yourself with is comedogenic. These are ingredients that clog the skin pores and end up causing pimples and blackheads. Coconut oil is a case in point, as many experts including aestheticians, dermatologists and hair stylists absolutely loathe this trend of miracle products because it tends to blow things out of proportion. You must know that coconut oil is among some of the most comedogenic ingredients out there. People with acne prone or oily skin should be careful while using it and products that contain it because it may be excessively thick despite the commonly held notion that it can be used to treat all sorts of ailments.

Dermatologists say that coconut oil has been trending everywhere by virtue of its nutritional profile as it is high in antioxidants and fatty acids, both of which are required by our body, but these benefits can only be reaped by consumption through a healthy diet. The antioxidant properties are not much help while used topically because it also tends to block the skin pores. Whether you pick processed coconut oil or extra virgin, the tendency to clog the openings of your hair follicles that sit atop the oil producing or sebaceous glands.

Don’t let anything mess with your pores

Coconut oil can also cause allergies and bacterial growth because in certain skin types this thicker oil can be harder to get absorbed properly which results in it forming a layer over the dermis. This prevents the dead cells and bacteria from getting washed away while the skin continues to produce sebum or natural oils. This can be one of the leading causes of acne breakouts. Several beauty companies and experts refer to the comedogenic scale that is meant to rank butters and oils in terms of their propensity to clog pores. The scale goes from 0 to 5, with 5 being the most likely to block pores and coconut oil is normally ranked 4 on this scale.

You should instead go for non-comedogenic ingredients that are suitable for sensitive skin, especially if you have had trouble with coconut oil in the past or have acne prone skin. There are plenty of fruit based balms, salves and moisturizers that get the job done without being so heavy on your lips. You can also use other oils like jojoba, neem, sunflower seed and argan oil.