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Sonam (New York, Ny) on 04/12/2015: 
I have eczema (I've had it since I was a baby), and I recently had a flare-up after consuming too much dairy and gluten for a period of 2+ months. I started using coconut oil on my eczema patches, and I had the same experience as you -- my skin got worse (a lot worse, actually, because it literally looked like it was peeling and getting even more inflamed than before). But the main thing to realize is that this is SUPPOSED to happen when you use a natural substance like VCO. It works by drawing out toxins through your elimination organs, and for a lot of people - especially those with prior skin abnormalities - the way those toxins come out is through the skin. Hence the temporary worsening of symptoms. My skin got way worse for a little over a week, as my skin condition was pretty severe, so the healing took longer than it would for most people. But once that week passed, it was clear as day. No redness, no dryness, no itching. I noticed it recently started to get worse again, but that's because I've been lenient with my diet over the past 2 weeks, so I plan to get back on my strict dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free meal plan.
Anyway, the main point is that yes, it's normal, and even encouraged, for your condition to get worse before it gets better, as this is a sign that deeper internal cleansing is occurring. Good luck!
Vic (Niagara Falls, Ontario. Canada) on 01/22/2013:
Joyce (Dallas, Tx) on 01/20/2011:
Merryanne (Orange City, Florida, Usa) on 11/13/2010:
Jayjay (Atlanta, Ga, Usa) on 06/01/2010: 
1. Can you use too much VCO on the skin?
2. Have anyone's condition gotten worse before seeing results with VCO?
3. Should I take the VCO internally?
4. What are the side effects, if any, of using VCO externally?
5. How long should I be using the VCO before I see postive results?
Cat (Austin, Tx) on 05/10/2010:
My grandmother Guffys skin was as soft and smooth as a babys butt till the day she died at 94. One day, when I was a younger woman constantly on the go, she noticed how dry and ashy my skin was and elected to tell me about her method of bathing. It was the only thing she said she did to keep her body clean and soft. First, she never took long baths (and NO, she did not smell). She said bathing dried out skin. Second, she never used hot water on her skin. Third, she never needed lotions. I listened; yet, despite the evidence before me, I did not take her advise. Hot showers were invigorating, I exclaimed. Who ever heard of not bathing, I secretly thought. Why do not the young listen! For years now I have suffered with extremely dry and itchy skin. FINALLY! I recalled my grandmother Guffys bathing method for clean, itch-less, soft, ageless skin. Here it is:
1) Massage 2-3 tablespoons of (antibacterial, anti-fungal) coconut oil over your entire dry, naked body, but not your face. Be sure to include your private areas and feet - get utterly greasy with it! Let it soak 5 minutes.
2) Take a clean, white, DRY bath cloth, folded in fours and scrub your entire body. When one side of the cloth gets cruddy, refold to a clean side of the same cloth. Don't forget private areas.
3) Shower/rinse in very lukewarm to cold water and ONLY wash your private areas with diluted baking soda and water or an organic non-soap or as I sometimes do, diluted ACV.
3) Get out of the shower and barely pat dry.
Believe! This works! People who touch my skin always exclaim at how soft it is AND my husband who has scratched my back many a time has taken to gently rubbing my arms a lot. Just try it! It is not real expensive or hard to do and results are quick. If you are allergic to coconut oil, switch to a light olive oil or sesame oil. Soon you will do as I did - throw away all your bathing soaps and bottles.
Sue M. (Worden , Il. Usa) on 01/24/2010:
Cured (Niceville, Fl) on 01/05/2010: 
Better But With Side Effects
About 4 months ago I started using ACV as a toner which started to clear acne. I started turmeric capsules (i make these from the spice) and VCO as a face moisturizer about the same time (a month ago) so not sure which is giving me good results as they both work for acne. The first few week I experienced clearer skin but I did break out even more the second and third but now it is starting to get under control and the last few days it seems any break outs are not as severe and skin is almost blemish free.
Most likely it is a detox effect and will pass as I now believe I have some candida die-off symptoms. Try it on a different part of your body say hands or a small patch on your back. As I read these testimonials of side effects--it is sad for the ones that stop (most I read sound like candida die-off) seems they are the ones that can benefit the most. I agree there are a few that should not take it--do your own research on the internet and treat the advice of at least american dr's like a grain of salt. This is the information age--do your own research! No--nobody wants to deal with diarrhea, vomiting, embarrassing acne, flu like symptoms, brain fog and other possible side effects. These are temporary side effects of toxins that are in the body--and the body needs to expel them in some way or another. Start with a small amount--and start as young as possible (i read it is good for diaper rash) before you develop ailments that one by one rob you of YOUR life!
Leah (New York, New York) on 07/26/2009:
Sia (NYC, NY) on 03/07/2009:
Shannon (New Glarus, WI) on 03/04/2009:
Ed (London, Hornsey) on 03/04/2009:
I tried so many things. At first the steroid cream I used did the job in the short term. But it was no long term cure I was comfortable with. If I stopped using it it was back in a week. Maybe less. So I stopped using that pretty early. I also used aveeno yeast cream, aloe vera (from a bottle and from a plant), going on a yeast free and sugar free diet (to be honest this lasted about a month and a half, and don't think I went completely all out. But tried to cut the main stuff out), and garlic- none of these things worked.
Funnily enough, when I went to the states, it practically seemed to go on its own.
Then I decided to use coconut oil. externally (100% coconut oil- the brand is pukka). I applied it about once every day, not very much was needed as it is a very oily product. Actually I started by using this and taking it internally, eating crushed coconut from a jar with a spoon. but now I just apply it externally. I've been doing this for about 4 to 5 months now, and it is already feeling like a miracle cure, so I hope it carries on like this! I only had one major flare up since, whereas before I was getting one every other week. I hope I'm not speaking to soon, but it's really helped my confidence, and probably changed my life for the better. And something so simple! Just gotta thank the people on this website (and this website for this).
Of course a downside could be seen as it coming back if I stop using it. But who knows, it might even go for good!
Candy (Hobe Sound, FL) on 01/24/2009:
I started using the CO for other things and one of the best is on a canker sores. It does not hurt unless you rub it too hard. I had no pain all day and did not have to put more on until bed time. I put a dab of CO on a Q-tip and applied it to the sore.
Christine (Tokyo, Japan) on 10/08/2008:
Thank you
Melanie (Brownsburg, Indiana) on 09/05/2008:
Ione (Sacramento, CA) on 08/13/2008:
Che (Roxas City, Philippines) on 07/26/2008:
My skin suffered the tear and wear of using numerous brands of different brands of cosmetics til the combination of these different chemicals being used on these cosmetics, resulted to facial skin damages. Wrinkles, and the worst which made me embarrassed everytime when people got surprised to see the black spots on my face which i knew from prolong used of differrent chemicals. I have tried numerous products to get rid of it. Some will give me an effect of two weeks but afterward the damaged on my face becomes worst. My face dont seem to response to any cosmetic, the more cosmetics i used the worst it becomes so, i thought of experimenting on natural remedies.I have started making my own formula when i came across this site which made my research more valid. Every night, as i watched tv i massage VCO on my legs and arms it made my skin so soft @ flawless. When i wear skirt, people thought i have stockings on my legs.
For my face, 3x a week, i combined
1 tsp of molasses or
honey
1/4 tsp of ACV [APPLE CIDER VINEGAR]
1/2 tsp of VCO [VIRGIN COCONUT OIL]
1 tsp of turmeric
1/2 tsp of oats
Make to a paste, splash face with warm water and gently massage the paste on your face. Let it stay 10-20minutes. Rinse it with warm water.
Then i toned my face with ACV, Hydrogen peroxide and water and moisturize my face with alternating VCO and grapeseed oil. Amazing it gradually whitened my face naturally, wrinkles free with less expenses. I am 49 yr old grandma with 3 grandchildren mistaken as more years younger than my age. Thanks to this site, it made me more creative combining the natural resources that are abundant in our country Philippines. By the way, i make my own VCO and sell to my friends also. I use VCO externally and internally as it is the cleanest and the cheapest oil on earth. I enjoy the benefit of a monolaurin found in VCO the same benefit found in a mothers milk. I rarely got sick as VCO is a natural antibiotic, that can get rid of viral @ bacterial lepid coated illnesses.Thanks to this heaven sent site and to the people who openly shares thier beneficial testimonies. God Bless Us All as we continue to spread and share the good news. Email me @ let me know how this works with you.
Lazaro (Laredo, Texas, US) on 06/13/2008:
Crystal (Ohio) on 05/02/2008:
Lindsey F (Dover, NH) on 04/06/2008: 
Warning
I read on numerous internet sites and blogs about how it was a miracle product for all kinds of skin ailments including acne.
So I started using on my face and body--it has been a great replacement for body lotion, and has mildly improved the keritosis pilaris on my upper arms, but using it on my face was a BIG mistake! I am still suffering from the consequences (pimples all over, including places where I had NEVER had them before). I have since learned that people with small pores, like me, should not use thick natural oils on the face, because the molecules are too large. People with larger pores (darker skin usually) can benefit from it, but it can really clog up people will small pores! Jojoba and tea tree oils are the only oils suitable for my delicate face.
Just want to warn others!
Toni (Las Vegas, NV) on 04/03/2008:
Russell (Toronto, Canada) on 04/02/2008:
John Smith (Battle Creek, Michigan) on 03/10/2008:
Jennifer (Mesquite, Texas) on 03/08/2008:
Amelia (Adelaide, Australia) on 01/23/2008:
Rachel (Pittsburgh, PA) on 08/21/2007:
Dan (Arizona) on 08/07/2007:
I began using it about 4 months ago. Beginning with about six teaspoons per day, I immediately noticed an improvement in my skin. I had less acne and my skin became smoother. There was also less oil on my skin and scalp. Since the age of 16, and I'm 38 now, I've had a problem with EXTREME oiliness of the skin and hair loss. The oiliness was also associated with itching and scalp irritation, crusts developing around the corners of my nose and in the skinfolds of my ears, including flaky ear wax. Other symptoms I had, whether or not related to my skin problem, were body odor, bad breath, weight gain and an extremely high appetite. Most likely it all was due to a Candida Ablicans infestation.
The VCO tempers most of these symptoms quite a lot. I'm sure VCO is directly responsible for lowering my scalp irritation, lessening scalp itching, reducing acne, eliminating the crusty, flaky skin anywhere and everywhere it accumulated and making my skin much smoother. Blackheads were a big problem for me, and they seem to be reduced somewhat. What hair I do have on the top of my head is thicker and more lustrous.
VCO does seem to somewhat temper my extremely high appetite.
In addition to VCO, I do have about 400mcg of Selenium per day. Selenium seems to completely eliminate body odor, almost completely arrests the falling out of my hair and helps lessen the extreme amount of oil accumulation on my scalp and skin.
I should mention that nearly all of these symptoms went away when I was on a very low carbohydrate diet and without the use of coconut oil or selenium. Again, this shows that mine is probably a Candida (Yeast) related condition.
Back to the Coconut oil. Here are things associated with VCO that I have not experienced: I've not noticed any weight loss, nor increased metabolism. It does not seem to help my sleep patterns. I have not concluded whether it improves my bathroom regularity. My digestion has always been impressively great, so there's nothing to improve along these lines.. Sometimes I do experience a higher energy level than I'm used to while using VCO. Historically, I'm a pretty low energy person. VCO may change that, but it remains to be seen.
Rest assured that taking VCO orally does improve the skin and it happens right away. In my opinion, VCO may fight Yeast infections and Candida related problems. Best of luck.
Ray (Charleston, SC) on 07/23/2007:
Gevena (Trotwood, Ohio) on 07/16/2007:
Holly (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) on 06/30/2007:
