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All about Coco

All about...

Coconut has many uses. The coconut oil extracted from it can be used to sublimate your skin, moisturise your hair... Find out more about coconut and its uses in this complete dossier.

Discover all the benefits of Coconut oil!

Of all the vegetable oils you know,coconut oil is probably the one you use the most. And with good reason! This oil is a real cosmetic "Swiss army knife": it can be used for face, body and hair care, and much more besides..

Coconut oil is renowned for its many benefits and ease of use. It is also appreciated by many for its pleasant scent. Rich in virtues for skin and hair, Coconut oil has it all!

Discover all the benefits of Coconut oil!

Identity sheet

Name: Cocos nucifera oil

Origin: Philipines

Botanical family: Arecaceae

Parts used: Pulp (flesh, used to obtain coconut water and milk), shell (coasse), leaves, trunk, flower, roots

Storage: Coconut oil - As with any quality vegetable fat, an oil such as coconut oil can be stored for several months. To ensure optimum preservation, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from light and heat, in its unopened packaging.

In case of contact with eyes, rinse for several minutes, keeping eyelids open. If swallowed, rinse mouth.

Coconut shell powder - Store coconut shell powder at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Precautions: Coconut oil is not recommended for oily to combination skin. Coconut oil is comedogenic. This means it can clog pores and encourage the development of imperfections.

Coconut oil can be used on all hair types, according to your needs. Everyone's hair reacts differently. However, some people with dry hair find that it dries them out even more. To avoid this problem, coconut oil can be used in a hair mask or oil bath.

What is coconut oil?

The coconut originated in Sri Lanka and is now acclimatized in most tropical countries. It is the fruit of the Cocos Nucifera palm and can measure up to 30cm in diameter. The coconut is actually a smooth fruit, but covered by a thick shell (which protects the whitish, edible kernel) and a thick layer of brown fibers.Coconut oil is said to be multi-purpose. It's used in cosmetics, cooking and even home care!


History, origin and culture

The origin of the coconut has not been precisely established. It is assumed that Southeast Asia was the area where the coconut first developed. It then spread to other countries in the tropics.

In fact, coconuts would have floated in the seas and been deported onto the sands of beaches. After taking root there, the coconuts enabled coconut palms to grow on the same beaches. Later, coconut palms were cultivated by man in different parts of the world. Both wild and cultivated coconut palms can be found.

The coconut was discovered in the 13th century by Marco Polo, during an expedition. Seduced by the fruit, he decided to nickname it "Pharaoh's nut" and bring it back to Europe. It was in the 17th century, however, that Charles Perrault presented the first fruit to the Académie des Sciences.


So why the name "Coco"? Some legends say that it was given by Portuguese sailors who were part of the crew of the explorer Vasco de Gama. The holes in the coconut's shell reminded them of a grinning, 3-eyed head called "Coco" or "Cocâ" that would devour disobedient children!

The tree and its characteristics

This tree originates from the tropical zone of the Pacific Ocean.
It is also found in Africa, America and Asia. A member of the Arecaceae botanical family, the coconut palm has evergreen foliage in the shape of a palm or parasol. It is distinguished by its dense foliage, often used to decorate and adorn.

It reaches a maximum height of 30m in its natural environment. It grows very quickly.
Hardy to the cold, coconut palms are found in warm, sunny regions with sandy soils.

In its natural environment, the tree's longevity easily exceeds 100 years. Coconut leaves are very long, up to 6m in length. In tropical regions, the coconut tree produces pretty little yellow or white flowers all year round.
The fruits we all know are coconuts. Round and brown in color, coconuts grow for around 4 to 7 years. The largest can be 25cm in diameter. The hard shell protects a white, pulpy pulp from which we extract water and coconut oil, among other things.

This flesh is edible.

The tree and its characteristics

Coconut in figures

  • 50 to 500: A coconut tree can bear up to 500 coconuts simultaneously!
  • 70 years: The coconut tree can bear fruit for 70 years. However, production starts to decline after 50 years.
  • 73%: India, Indonesia and the Philippines together account for 73% of the world's coconut production.


How to obtain coconut oil

Harvesting coconuts

Coconuts are harvested when they fall to the ground.
This is when they are ripe. Green coconuts are picked directly from the tree. Picking coconuts can be a long and tedious process.
That's why some Coconut growers unfortunately choose to use monkeys to do the picking. These pig-tailed macaques were already traditionally used for arboriculture.
However, many producers and manufacturers refuse to use them, out of ethical concern for these animals.
WAAM Cosmetics has chosen to work with a coconut producer who does not use monkeys. Coconuts are picked directly by hand by men, using a scythe.

Coconut oil extraction

CHOOSING THE EXTRACTION METHOD

Today, two methods are used to extract Coconut oil:

Extraction by mechanical cold pressing

Approved by organic certification bodies, this is the best extraction method. The fresh coconut albumen is cold-pressed to preserve all its properties. The oil is then called Virgin Coconut Oil. Its smell and taste are preserved.

Industrial extraction (solvent extraction)

This method is less respectful of the raw material. It is no longer Coconut oil, but Coprah oil. It is made from the dried flesh of the coconut. The oil is then refined to eliminate bacteria and mould, and deodorized. Unfortunately, this process alters the oil's properties and benefits.

We have chosen to use cold-press extraction to obtain a superior quality coconut oil.

How to obtain coconut oil

What makes Coconut oil so special?

Coconut is a fruit whose every part can be used to produce natural products.
We can use the pulp, the copra, the coconut shell...
Coconut can be used to produce coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut shell powder, coconut sugar and syrup or coconut flour.
It's a mild oil that can be used on all parts of the body. It also has remarkable antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Benefits of coconut oil

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Face

  • Protects and repairs even the driest skin
  • Fights aging
  • Helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles
  • Improves oral hygiene
  • Cures mouth ulcers

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Body

  • Soothes, heals irritation and facilitates healing
  • Protects against external aggressors (cold, wind, sun)
  • Cares for sensitive skin, such as baby skin
  • Prevents and reduces the appearance of stretch marks
  • Treats breast-feeding cracks
  • Fights fungal infections

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Hair

  • Nourishes and revitalizes hair
  • Restores shine
  • Activates hair growth
  • Strengthens color-treated hair
  • Fights lice

    How to choose good quality coconut oil?

    There are many coconut oils available on the market. So how do you choose the best quality oil from all this choice? First of all, you need to choose your product according to its intended use. For food use, make sure you buy an oil that says it can be used for food.

    For cosmetic use, you can turn to different products, but we recommend pure, natural, virgin or extra-virgin coconut oils, and ORGANIC if possible. A label of this kind is also often a guarantee of quality. However, these labels can be very expensive. As a result, many brands offer quality coconut oil even though they do not have a label.
    Next, pay attention to the oil extraction method. Coconut oil obtained by first cold pressing will be of better quality, as its nutrients will be preserved. In fact, when heat is used for extraction, it often alters the quality of the oil.


    Benefits of coconut shell powder

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    Body

    • Exfoliates
    • Purifies
    • Matifies
    • Eliminates dead skin and impurities
    • Astringent

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    Hair

    • Exfoliates the scalp
    • Purifies

    FAQ

    Texture and fragrance
    Is coconut oil a fatty oil?

    This oil can be a little greasy when first applied to the skin. However, it quickly melts into the skin.

    Do your oils smell of coconut or are they odorless?

    Our coconut oils are only extracted using a first cold-pressing process. This preserves all their properties. These oils are not deodorized, so they smell of coconut.

    Applications
    Can coconut oil be used to remove make-up?

    You can use this oil to remove make-up, but be sure to wash your skin afterwards as it can be comedogenic.

    Can coconut shell powder be used on the face?

    Yes, as a scrub, diluted in vegetable oil for example. It can even be used to clean and whiten teeth.

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