If you’ve gone grocery shopping at any time in the last few years, chances are you've noticed brightly-colored packages of coconut water popping up in the sports drinks section. Drinking coconut water has steadily risen in popularity for its many hydrating and electrolyte-boosting benefits, but it doesn’t end there. Coconut water is a 100% natural (and super effective) skincare savior. Yup, that's right–you can use coconut water to get healthy, glowing skin without the harsh chemicals and preservatives found in other beauty or skincare products.
Want to know what coconut water can do for your skin? We’ve got the low-down right here. Continue reading below for our complete guide to what coconut water is and why you should add it to your skincare routine ASAP.
What is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is the clear, watery liquid naturally present inside a coconut (not to be confused with coconut milk, which contains both coconut water and coconut meat). It's made up of mostly water (94%, to be exact) along with vitamin C, electrolytes, and a small amount of carbohydrates. Because of its high electrolyte content, a glass of coconut water helps with rehydration and recovery almost better than regular water. Many people also drink coconut water for its potential long term health benefits, including reducing high blood pressure, boosting antioxidants, and kidney stone prevention.
The skincare benefits of coconut water are just as noteworthy. Keep scrolling below for our breakdown of all the benefits coconut water can have on your skin.
Why You Should Add Coconut Water to Your Skincare Routine, ASAP
1. It’s an amazing cleanser.
Because coconut water is so lightweight and naturally antibacterial, it makes a great cleanser for dry skin and sensitive skin types. Use it on its own, or in a gentle cleanser–like these vegan PACIFICA BEAUTY Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes–to effectively remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil at the end of the day.
2. It hydrates like no other.
Almost nothing matches the hydrating power of coconut water (it is 94% water, after all). If you suffer from parched skin or the occasional dry patches, try adding a coconut-water infused skincare product, like this AVETTE Coconut Water Cream, into your routine. It's made with hyaluronic acid, another moisturizing agent, to help lock in all the added moisture you get from the coconut water. We also love this FIRST AID BEAUTY Hello FAB Coconut Water Lotion, which infuses skin with revitalizing enzymes, electrolytes, and firming amino acids in addition to boosting your skin's moisture content.
3. It helps with acne.
Adding coconut water to your skincare routine helps naturally soothe inflamed skin, blemishes, and other forms of irritation. Acne-prone skin types may benefit from this PACIFICA BEAUTY Coconut Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic, which lifts away dirt and impurities from your pores without stripping skin of its natural oils.
4. It’s anti-aging.
Because coconut water is packed with age-reversing vitamins and antioxidants, it helps calm free radical damage and improve your skin's elasticity. This ANDALOU NATURALS Coconut Water Firming Cleanser is packed with coconut water and brightening vitamin C for the ultimate anti-aging cleanse, in addition to radiance-boosting electrolytes.
5. It controls oil without irritating.
Combination skin and sensitive skin types, rejoice! Coconut water softly minimizes excess oil production without drying you out or stinging. It doesn’t get gentler than this APTO SKINCARE Soothing Toner with Coconut Water. Oil-absorbing witch hazel combined with super-soothing aloe vera and coconut water work to to keep skin as smooth and balanced as possible.