Coconut Water vs. Coconut Milk: Benefits for the Skin

Summer is just around the corner. If you close your eyes, you can probably smell the tropical breezes and the coconut drinks that await you. But what if you took that delectable coconut and applied it to your skin? Actually, it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Coconut-based skin care products have been all the rage for the past several years. Before we are immersed in the full throes of summer, let’s examine the differences between coconut water vs. coconut milk and discover how coconut can be your skin’s saving grace this summer—and throughout the year.

Coconut Water vs. Coconut Milk: Production

Production methods are the first factor that differentiates coconut water vs. coconut milk. Harvested from young coconuts, coconut water splashes about in the coconut as it waits to mature and become coconut meat. All that it takes to retrieve coconut water from the coconut is a machete to slice off the top of the coconut. No processing involved. Of course, if you don’t live on a tropical island, your coconut water most likely comes from a carton or can. But the fact remains that coconut water can be poured directly from the coconut into your glass.

Coconut milk, while still a whole food product, requires a bit of work. The meat must be extracted from the coconut and blended with hot water or coconut water. Then the mixture must be strained to remove the bits of coconut, so only creamy milk remains. Fresh coconut milk must be refrigerated. As it sits, a thick cream will rise to the top. This cream holds the luxuriant fatty acids that permeate coconut milk.

Coconut Water vs. Coconut Milk: Nutrition

Coconut water has caused quite a buzz with its rehydration capabilities. Full of electrolytes and high in potassium, coconut water contains a smattering of amino acids—the building blocks of protein—and is low in sugar, carbohydrates and calories. It is also fat-free, which no other coconut derivative can boast. However, coconut water doesn’t have any vitamins or minerals in high enough levels to make a dent in the USDA Recommended Daily Allowance.

Coconut milk, on the other hand, packs quite a nutritional punch. Coconut milk is rich in iron, calcium, and Vitamins A, B, and C. Along with a healthy dose of vitamins, thick coconut milk contains a sizable amount of saturated fat. How much? Approximately 57g of fat in one cup. Before dismissing coconut milk as too fat laden, remember that your body needs saturated fat. Saturated fat contributes to healthy lungs, brains and bones. Coconut milk contains plenty of health benefits, if it is part of a sensibly balanced diet.

Vitamin and fat content aren’t the only characteristics that set apart coconut water vs. coconut milk. Amino acids vs. protein also come into play. Coconut water contains amino acids—the building blocks of protein. The body requires amino acids to function correctly. Here’s the problem: there are amino acids, called essential amino acids, that your body won’t produce on its own. You must take in those amino acids through food or supplements, in order for your body to create the protein it needs. The good news: some of those required amino acids can find their way into your body through coconut water. Once absorbed, those amino acids begin creating proteins. Drinking coconut water contributes to the level of essential amino acids in your body. Those amino acids work to create proteins that strengthen the collagen layer of the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and firming the skin. In addition to the benefits of amino acids, the electrolyte and hydration properties of coconut water plump the cells, making them look more youthful.

While coconut water offers amino acids, coconut milk offers a complete protein. Remember that for amino acids to build a protein, all the necessary amino acids must be present. However, when you consume a complete protein, all the amino acids come to you ready to use as protein. When you consume coconut milk, you are contributing to your daily protein intake. Protein is a vital component in healthy skin and hair. Protein helps build collagen. In fact, collagen makes up 30% of the body’s protein use! Protein also creates and maintains the elastin in your body, which restores skin to its natural shape after it is stretched or pulled. Elastin is the friend of young, healthy looking skin.

Coconut Water vs. Coconut Milk: Skin Care

When comparing coconut water vs. coconut milk, both products should be lauded for their antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make them great skin cleansers. Oily skin especially benefits from coconut cleanser, since oily skin is prone to attract bacteria, which causes breakouts. Both coconut water and coconut milk also contain antioxidants, which attach to free radicals that can damage the DNA of skin cells. Antioxidants restore elasticity to skin, giving it a fresh, vibrant look.

Coconut Water: As a skin care ingredient, the electrolytes and amino acids in coconut water rejuvenate the skin. Electrolytes rehydrate tired, depleted skin cells, making them appear plumper. Plumper cells decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Electrolytes and amino acids in coconut water are also responsible for fortifying that important layer of collagen. A strong and smooth collagen layer means less likelihood of developing fine lines and wrinkles in the future.

Coconut Milk: While coconut water is not without its benefits, coconut milk emerges as the champion in skin care.

Moisturize & Heal: Coconut milk provides intensive moisture therapy to dry skin. When coconut milk is topically applied, the fatty acids in the coconut immediately begin working to soothe dry, chapped skin. Coconut milk also functions as a healing balm for ailing skin. If you suffer from psoriasis or eczema, pure coconut milk or coconut milk-infused products could be the answer to a persistent and painful skin dilemma. And, unfortunately, sometimes the lure of sunny summer days brings the stinging pain of sunburn. Coconut milk soothes painful and aching sunburns and restores moisture to damaged skin.

Renew: Coconut milk is rich in copper, as well as in Vitamins C & E. Working together, this trio renews skin by attacking free radicals and restoring and strengthening skin elasticity. Coconut milk works as an anti-aging ingredient, regenerating the skin. Coconut milk can help you say goodbye to wrinkled, sagging skin. The anti-aging properties in coconut milk mean the restoration of skin’s elasticity and the reduction of dark spots on your skin.

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