| How to Use Coconut Oil for Acne Posted: 24 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST Having acne can be both painful and frustrating. If you're looking for a natural way to improve your skin, though, coconut oil may help. Before you start using coconut oil, determine your skin type and do a patch test to make sure that it won't irritate your skin. Then, open your pores with a steam treatment, warm the coconut oil in your palms, and massage it into your skin. By incorporating coconut oil into your skin, you might start to see an improvement in your acne! EditDetermining If Coconut Oil Is Right for Your Skin - Determine your skin type to work out if coconut oil is suitable for you. Wash your face with water as soon as you wake up in the morning and don't apply any other products. Wait for 4-5 hours and then check your skin the mirror. If your skin has dry or red patches, this means that you have a dry skin type. However, if your face looks oily all over, this means that you have an oily skin type.[1]
- Make sure that you don't wipe or blot your face during this time so that you get an accurate result for your skin type.
- There are also a few other skin types. For example, you have a normal skin type if your skin does not change, or a combination skin type if just your T-zone looks oily.
- Alternatively, a dermatologist will be able to professionally determine your skin type.
- Use coconut oil only if you have a very dry or very oily skin type. Look at your result from the skin type test. Coconut oil may be beneficial to your skin if it's too dry or too oily, however, it may not be useful if you have a normal or combination skin type.[2]
- Coconut oil can be useful for people with dry skin, as it can add oil and moisture which your skin needs to be healthy. Contrastingly, it can also be helpful for people with oily skin, as many harsh acne treatment products will strip your skin of too many natural oils. This means that your skin overcompensates by producing too much oil which exacerbates the acne.
- Coconut oil has a score of 4 out of 5 on the comedogenicity scale. This scale ranks ingredients from the least pore blocking (1) to the most pore blocking (5). This means that coconut oil may not be helpful in treating acne for all skin types.[3]
- Do a patch test to check that coconut oil is safe for your skin. Massage a small amount of coconut oil into the inside of your arm. Wait for 72 hours and check your skin again for any signs or irritation.[4]
- Redness, swelling, and itchiness are signs of irritation.
- You can do the patch test on a different area of your skin instead if you prefer. Try your neck, behind an ear, or a tiny area of your face.
- If you don't notice a reaction then you can assume that the coconut oil is safe for your skin.[5]
EditApplying Coconut Oil to Your Skin - Choose cold-pressed, organic, and virgin coconut oil. This type of coconut oil is the best for treating acne because it is free from any additives that could harm your skin. Purchase the coconut oil from a grocery store, a health store or online. [6]
- When you purchase the coconut oil, check that it's fragrance-free. Unrefined coconut oils are likely to be fragrance-free, but double check as fragrances can be a trigger for acne.[7]
- Steam your face first to open up your pores. Fill a bowl with steaming water. Arrange a towel so that it is draped over your head and shoulders. Lean over the bowl of steam for 3-4 minutes.[8]
- Hold your head at a distance from the bowl where you can feel the steam against your face, but not so close that it burns or that you feel as though you can't inhale fresh air.
- Warm 1 tsp (4 g) of coconut oil up in your palms if it's in a solid state. Depending on where you live, coconut oil tends to harden to a solid during the cooler months and melt into a liquid during the warmer months. If the coconut oil is hard, scoop out a small amount and massage it in your palm to soften it.[9]
- It's best to use your body warmth to soften the coconut oil rather than using a microwave or a stovetop. This is because the oil may heat up too much, which could burn your skin.
- Massage 1 tsp (4 g) of coconut oil into your face for 2-3 minutes. Apply the oil to your chin, cheeks, forehead, and nose. Gently rub it into your skin using a circular motion.[10]
- Be careful not to get the coconut oil in your eyes.
- Don't rush while you are applying the coconut oil. Take the time to thoroughly massage it into your skin.
- Wipe the coconut oil away gently with a facecloth and hot water. Rinse a clean facecloth under hot, running water and wring it out when it is saturated. Hold the facecloth over different areas of your face and let it soak up the excess coconut oil. Rinse the oil out of the facecloth as you move to a different part of your face.[11]
- Make sure that the water isn't scalding as this could burn your skin. It should be a hot, yet comfortable temperature.
- Don't scrub at or be rough with your skin using the facecloth. Using it to gently wipe the coconut oil off or to pat at your skin with is all that's necessary.
- Don't worry if your skin still feels a little bit oily. Any leftover excess oil will be removed when you use a gentle cleanser.
- Wash your face with gentle cleanser. Use a natural facial cleanser or some mild soap to gently remove the rest of the coconut oil from your face. If required, wet your face again before you apply the cleanser.[12]
- Follow the instructions about how to apply it on the label of the cleanser.
- Apply the coconut oil to your skin every morning and night. Follow a regular routine of using coconut oil, such as every morning as soon as you get out of bed and every night just before you go to sleep. Check your skin often for signs of improvement and stop using it if it keeps resulting in breakouts.[13]
- It may be helpful to take a photo of your skin every few days. This will help you to see if overall the coconut oil is making a difference to your skin.
- While coconut oil can cause your skin to breakout during the first few days that you use it, for many people it does eventually clear up and help to treat the acne. However, if you feel that your skin is getting worse due to the coconut oil, stop using it and try out a different product.
- Seek professional medical advice if your skin has a bad reaction to the coconut oil or if your acne continues to get worse over time.
EditThings You'll Need - Coconut oil
- Bowl
- Towel
- Facecloth
- Gentle cleanser
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Potty Train Small Dogs Posted: 24 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST If your small dog is proving to be a challenge to potty train, start it on a simple routine. Since small dogs have small bladders, frequently take your dog outside to a designated space. Encourage it to toilet using command words and reward it with verbal praise or treats when it successfully goes. Be consistent in your expectations and your dog will soon get the hang of toileting in the appropriate place. EditEstablishing a Routine - Start potty training as soon as you can. If you're bringing the new dog home, ensure that you're ready to begin training immediately. The sooner your small dog associates toileting with the appropriate space, the easier it will be to train it.[1]
- Keep in mind that all breeds are different and your small dog is an individual. Some dogs pick up potty training quickly while others need more practice.
- If your dog is still a puppy, you can start the training process right away, but remember that puppies under 8 weeks old have poor bladder control and won't be able to get it down perfectly until they're older.
- Choose a designated place to toilet. Pick a place outside where you'd like your small dog to go. When you take your dog outside, walk it right to the spot. Avoid letting it wander around or run off when it's time to toilet.[2]
- Be in the habit of letting the dog toilet first thing when you go outside. Then let your dog go for a walk or play once it's finished.
- Make potty breaks part of the daily schedule. If your small dog is still a puppy, you'll need to take it to the toilet spot every 20-30 minutes, which gives your puppy a better chance of being in the toilet spot at the right time. If your small dog is an adult, plan on taking your dog outside at regular intervals throughout the day. For example, give your small dog the chance to toilet:[3]
- First thing in the morning
- Right before bed at night
- After being in a crate
- After meals or drinking
- Be consistent in your expectations. Dogs learn best by repetition, so stick with your toileting routine every day. If you don't follow your own schedule, the dog will be confused and is more likely to have an accident.[4]
- For example, if you usually take your dog outside after meals, but forget to one day, your dog may have an accident because it's used to going at a set time.
EditTaking the Dog Out - Lead your dog outside and say a command word such as "go potty." Keep your small puppy on a leash and walk it over to the place where you'd like it to toilet. Let it walk around the space for a bit. Once it starts to go, and say a word or phrase that they'll associate with the action. Later, you'll be able to say the cue word as a trigger; right now, you're still building the mental link.[5]
- For example, say, "do your business," or "go pee."
- Reward your dog with praise and food treats. As soon as you see your dog successfully toileting in the right place, say the cue word, then give it lots of verbal praise such as "Good job!" or a small dog treat. Reward it immediately so it associates going in that place with good things.[6]
- If you're giving your small dog a treat, keep the treat small as well. The treat should be soft and pea-sized such as a bit of chicken or beef.
- Give your dog another chance if it doesn't toilet the first time. If you've taken your dog outside as part of your regular schedule but it didn't pee or poop, bring it back inside and put it in its crate. Keep it in the crate for 15 minutes and then take it back outside to try again. Continue to do this until the dog toilets.[7]
- This will help it understand that it has to toilet in that one space.
- If you don't have a crate, keep your dog leashed and tie the leash to your belt. Then take it outside after the 15 minutes are up.
- Clean up accidents to prevent your dog from toileting there again. When you notice that your small dog has had an accident, immediately stop and clean up the mess. Use a pet odor neutralizer spray and blot the mess. It's important to remove the scent so your dog doesn't return to toilet there in the future.[8]
- If your dog has toiled on cushions, bedding, or blankets, add of baking soda to your laundry detergent. Wash the items and dry it completely. If you still smell urine, wash the items again with an enzymatic cleanser.
- Avoid yelling at your dog. Expect that mistakes will happen as your small dog learns to toilet in the appropriate place. Never yell or shout at your dog when this happens since dogs don't learn through punishment.[9]
- You should also avoid rubbing your dog's nose in its mess, striking the dog, or throwing things at it. These abusive actions will only frighten the dog and damage your relationship.
EditEncouraging Your Small Dog - Limit your dog's freedom inside the house until it's trained. If your small dog enjoys roaming throughout your house, it may find it easier to pick a spot in the house to toilet rather than go outside. Until it's potty trained, keep the dog in 1 or 2 rooms.[10]
- Confining your dog will also reduce the likelihood of accidents since it can't wander off and pee somewhere unexpected.
- Wait at least 1 month after your dog is potty trained before you open other rooms of your house to the dog.
- Make your dog comfortable with going outside. Small dogs may not like the going outside to toilet because it's cold or the grass feels strange. If you know it's cold outside, consider putting a sweater on your dog before you take it out. To help your dog get used to the texture of its toileting space, bring some of the material inside for it to check out.
- For example, bring a small patch of grass inside and set it in your dog's space for it to get used to.
- Supervise your dog during the potty training process. Your dog will need a lot of guidance until it learns to go outside to toilet. Stay with your dog and continue to give it lots of opportunities to go outside, especially if it shows signs that it needs to toilet. These signs include:[11]
- Whining
- Scratching at the door
- Pacing near your feet
- Following you around
- Crate your dog when you can't supervise it. If you know you'll be gone for a while and can't watch your small dog in the house, put it in the crate. Keep in mind that your dog may have an accident in the crate if you're gone too long, so try not to leave your dog for more than a few hours until it's potty trained.[12]
- If you need to be gone for an extended period of time before your dog is trained, ask someone to watch the dog until you return.
- While some people like to set out pee pads for their small dogs, this may send confusing messages to your dog. Your dog might prefer toileting inside and might stop going outside altogether if you set out the pads.
EditThings You'll Need - Leash
- Dog treats
- Pet odor neutralizer spray
- Cloths
- Baking soda and laundry detergent
- Crate, optional
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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