courtesy of hip-apotheca

June,what a busy month for me.And now we have July,it'll be even busier especially for us who live in Indonesia.Ramadhan month is coming so if you happen to visit Indonesia during that month,you'll see alot of people do fasting(absence from eating from the sunrise to the sunset). The ramadhan month is when moslems do fasting during the day and it also means that you're supposed to be absent from anger,bad mouthing,basically it's like a holy month. Do good deeds,and avoid bad deeds.It isn't that easy,telling ya here;)

I have alot of interesting stuffs to post,but now I'll do the post about this product Adara Organic Coconut Virgin Oil.This will be a long post because there you can see the differences between each oils'quality,but it'll benefit you all I'm sure.So be prepared!;)

It's not a secret that I do really adore coconut oil,especially the virgin coconut oil one.I know that some people missunderstood about coconut oil and think that it's too oily to be applied directly on skin.Sure it is,IF the coconut oil is like this one:

The yellow coconut oil,usually used for cooking application.Consistency is thick,and oily.This kind of coconut oil isn't the one that I apply directly on my skin,instead I use this:

The virgin coconut oil,it can be used for many application and has health benefit also even if you drink it directly.It's clear,as clear as water.It has delicious smell,some really good ones even have fresh smell just like fresh coconut water smells.The consistency is runny,not as oily as yellow coconut oil one.This one is the best for skin application.

What makes them both coconut oil above different?It's the extraction process.Coconut oil(and other oils in general) can be extracted through "dry" or "wet" processing as below-this is technical,so you can jump on to the other points if you're not that technical:

Dry processing

requires the meat to be extracted from the shell and dried using fire, sunlight, or kilns to create copra.The copra is pressed or dissolved with solvents*, producing the coconut oil and a high-protein, high-fiber mash. The mash is of poor quality for human consumption and is instead fed to ruminants; there is no process to extract protein from the mash. The preparation and storage of copra often occurs in unhygienic conditions, yielding poor quality oil that requires refining. A portion of the oil extracted from copra is lost to spoilage, to insects or rodents, and to the process of extraction.

*The solvent extraction method 

is very popular, and uses hexane, which is a poisonous chemical. The process is very effective and usually recovers 99% of the oil. However, in order to get rid of the hexane, the oil is heated to a high temperature. This changes the flavor profile and for some delicate oils like olive oil, may ruin the flavor altogether.

RBD

RBD stands for "refined, bleached, and deodorized." RBD oil is usually made from copra (dried coconut kernel).The dried copra is placed in a hydraulic press with added heat and the oil is extracted. This yields up practically all the oil present, amounting to more than 60% of the dry weight of the coconut.This "crude" coconut oil is not suitable for consumption because it contains contaminants and must be refined with further heating and filtering.Another method for extraction of a "high-quality" coconut oil involves the enzymatic action of alpha-amylase, polygalacturonases, and proteases on diluted coconut paste.Unlike virgin coconut oil, refined coconut oil has no coconut taste or aroma. RBD oil is used for home cooking, commercial food processing, and cosmetic, industrial, and pharmaceutical purposes.

Hydrogenation

RBD coconut oil can be processed further into partially or fully hydrogenated oil to increase its melting point. Since virgin and RBD coconut oils melt at 76 °F (24 °C), foods containing coconut oil tend to melt in warm climates. A higher melting point is desirable in these warm climates, so the oil is hydrogenated. The melting point of hydrogenated coconut oil is 97–104 °F (36–40 °C).In the process of hydrogenation, unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) are combined with hydrogen in a catalytic process to make them more saturated. Coconut oil contains only 6% monounsaturated and 2% polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this process, some of these are transformed into trans fatty acids.

Fractionation

Fractionated coconut oil is a fraction of the whole oil, in which the different medium-chain fatty acids are separated for specific uses. Lauric acid, a 12-carbon chain fatty acid, is often removed because of its high value for industrial and medical purposes. Fractionated coconut oil may also be referred to as caprylic/capric triglyceride oil or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil because it is primarily the medium-chain caprylic (8 carbons) and capric (10 carbons) acids that make up the bulk of the oil. MCT oil is most frequently used for medical applications and special diets.

Wet process

The all-wet process uses raw coconut rather than dried copra, and the protein in the coconut creates an emulsion of oil and water.The more problematic step is breaking up the emulsion to recover the oil. This used to be done by prolonged boiling, but this produces a discolored oil and is not economical.Modern techniques use centrifuges and pre-treatments including cold*, heat, acids, salts, enzymes, electrolysis, shock waves, or some combination of them.

*Screw press (expeller)

Mechanical extraction is how things were done for centuries. Applying heavy pressure to seeds until oil starts seeping out. An expeller is a big screw that is tightened until it crushes the nut/seed and causes the oil to run. This method provides yields of only 65-70% of the oil. Many companies then try to extract the rest of the oil using the chemical solvent(see above).Mechanical pressing may create high temperatures, especially when squeezing hard nuts. This usually happens when working with automatic machinery in high volume. The issue with high temperatures, as we mentioned before, is that they change the flavor of the oil.Which brings us to the term “cold pressed”. Some companies go to great efforts to maintain a temperature below 90 degrees Fahrenheit when pressing the oil. In Europe the term “cold pressed” is regulated and oils cannot exceed that temperature. But in the US, there is no such regulation. Cold pressed could mean anything under 400 degrees…

Centrifuge

This process consists of grinding and pressing of coconut meat(using expeller machine). This coconut milk, with the aid of a series of centrifuges, separates the oil from the water components of the milk. The centrifuge works using the sedimentation principle, where the centripetal acceleration causes denser substances to separate out along the radial direction (the bottom of the tube). By the same token lighter objects will tend to move to the top (of the tube; in the rotating picture, move to the centre).The centrifuge works like a cream separator used for separating cream from cow's milk. It requires a series of passes through 6 different centrifuges before a pure oil is isolated.

Despite numerous variations and technologies, wet processing is less viable than dry processing due to a 10-15% lower yield, even compared to the losses due to spoilage and pests with dry processing. Wet processes also require investment of equipment and energy, incurring high capital and operating costs.As for Virgin Coconut oil,after having expelled process,the milk can also be fermented for 36–48 hours, the oil removed, and then the cream heated to remove any remaining oil. So,basically some producers do combine some methods of extraction above.What we should pay attention is the extraction that involving hexane,a poisonous chemical to separate oil from the milk emulsion.The best extraction is the cold pressed one,and separate the oil through centrifuges machine,and it should be unrefined.

Although virgin coconut oil has been favourite for many people to be used for skin application,many others just don't fancy it.Especially those who live in sub tropical countries.Why?because coconut oil is easily solidified under 25C temperature.Check this table below:

courtesy of engineeringtoolbox

vco when almost solidified-a bit blurry in color

That's why some people who live in sub tropical countries find it difficult to apply virgin coconut oil directly on their skin because it's creamy at their room temperature unlike other oils that are still liquid.Nature has given its best,each oil has been based on its own natural condition for human consumption.We who live in tropical countries,we don't like heavy oil that feels thick because it'll trigger acnes,despite the uncomfortable feeling to the skin that it has.So this is why our nature give us coconut oil,because it's the lightest oil among other oils.Those who live in sub tropical countries,may dislike virgin coconut oil for its creamy-hardly spreadable texture,and nature has given them oils for that purpose(let's say olive oil).Yes it's thicker,but they need it more since it's more moisturized to their skin due to the climates that they have.I who live in tropical country,I don't like olive oil for my cleansing oil since it's too thick(even if I buy the light virgin olive oil one).Virgin Coconut Oil is the best for me as the matter of fact that it's the lightest oil,and this oil is easily absorbed by the skin too.

Virgin Coconut oil is also a good carrier oil in aromatherapy application.Carrier oils are oils that are used as base oils,to dilute essential oils before applying it to the skin.Why?some essential oils can be potent and irritant when they're applied directly to the skin without any other oils to be mixed with due to the fact that essential oils are extracted from plants which some of them are medicinal.Virgin Coconut oil is also a fixed oil,means they are not volatile/evaporized easily at normal temperatures.The volatile/evapozed oils are essential oils,and that's why essential oils must be kept in dark stores/packaging to avoid it from direct sunlight that can make them evaporated easily.

So,let's now talk about this Adara VCO that I bought.I found about this Adara VCO on some US sites and blogs back then.It was quite popular.I was curious to try,so I looked for more info about it,turned out to be...it's made in Indonesia! That's a..whaatt? to me since I've never heard this brand on local market.This is produced by Sambu Group,a producer of Kara coconut milk.I bet all moms in Indonesia know this brand,it's been here ever since I was teen(or kids maybe?).This is how it was:

Wrapped with plastic as sealing.It has cap that prevents from leaking although you place it in pouring position(see pic below):

On the back of it you can read the usage:

-Skin drink:to moisturize the skin

-As make up remover

-As massage base oil

-As hair nourishment

It has other 5 variants scents as you can see on the top pic of my post(rose,peach,lavender,green tea,and jasmine).What I chose was the unscented one.

Ingredients:

100% organic virgin coconut oil,no preservatives,no additives.

I use this product mostly as cleansing oil to remove make up(make up remover).So how this product compared to other virgin coconut oil on the market that I've tried?Well,this is just pretty much the same.If there's one thing that can be considered as difference,it will be that this Adara is a bit less oily so that this one is absorbed faster than others VCO that I've ever tried.Consistency is remind the same as other vcos on the market,it's runny and light.

So if you live in Indonesia,I'll say that you can substitute this Adara VCO with others VCO on the market since it only has very little slight difference.In fact,although this Adara is made by an Indonesian company but this one isn't widely available on Indonesia market.You can get this one online on some US and Singapore online stores,or maybe you can ask their representatives to send it to you.This one is priced pretty much higher than average others VCO that are available on local market here,so with almost the same result that it gives,I think if you're an Indonesian you can substitute it with other brands.Please bear in your mind that this one is for skin and hair application only,unlike others VCO on the market which can be drunk,so I don't know if this one is edible or not.

Another common doubt of using plant based oils as cleansing oil is that it may trigger acne,and or that it will feel greasy.Here I said,you don't need to worry about it as alot of plant based oils have low molecular

weight so that it's easily absorbed by our skin.Unlike mineral oil which its molecular weight is too large to penetrate the skin so that it will just sit on top of the skin.In this case coconut oil(especially the vco one)has lower molecular weight than mineral oil so it's absolutely better to use this as your make up remover rather than using cleansing oils containing mineral oil on the market.True,many cosmetic brands using mineral oil as it is said to be benefited for those who have dry skin.Basically dry skin people need things that can"lock"moisture in the skin and hold it there so that it'll prevent dryness.Mineral oil works that way,since it has big molecular weight so basically it's just sit there on top of the skin and prevent skin moisture from going"out".That's why,some people thought they feel heavenly amazing result with mineral oil products since it's the way how mineral oil works! If you have dry skin problem and think that way about mineral oil,get this fact also:Mineral oil just sit on top of your skin.It prevents anything in or out,which means potentially block pores!In short way,it means = Acnes!.  You may feel temporarily being"moisturized",but that's because mineral oil lock your skin moisture,not because it has health benefit to the skin whatsoever.If you have dry skin,so it's better to use plant based oils that have health skin benefits(like evening primrose oil),and/or humectants(like hyaluronic acid,glycerine,etc)which act to direct moisture from the air into your skin.  If you have oily skin and use mineral oils,wow...think about it! Even dry skin ones aren't supposed to use that!.So,is there any of you who still in doubt of using plant based oils especially virgin coconut oil one as your cleansing oil instead of mineral oil one?

Virgin coconut oil in Indonesia is abundant,there're sooo many products and brands available here.Tragically,I know very well that some Indonesian women even in doubt of using it as their make up remover or in any of their beauty routine and instead choosing mineral oil based that are available on the market,simply because it's well packaged,and because the brand told them so.Or simply because they thought it'll be"greasy" or trigger acnes.In order to remove make up,mostly will choose soap based products as their make up remover(cleansing foam,cleansing soap,cleansing bar). The truth is,if you have oil based make up(and almost ALL of make up are oil based,unless it's pure mineral),so you'll need oil to remove it. Why?simple..only oil will dissolves oil.

Soap seems like oil dissolver,but actually it's an emulsifying agent between water and oil.In some cases,that works well but soaps are ineffective in acidic water. Also, soaps form insoluble salts in hard water, such as water containing magnesium, calcium, or iron.So this is why some soaps don't clean make up well because it doesn't work on certain condition.This principal also is good for those who have oily skin and are affraid of cleansing oil methods.Oily skin are affraid of using oils instead they use soap to reduce their skin's oil. However most soaps are alkaline,so that soap may destroy the acid mantle of the skin, causing it to lose its protective mechanism. Moreover removing the acid mantle disturbs the distribution of dead cells on top of epidermis. Also,the use of harsh synthetic cleansers can make matters worse by removing too many skin natural's oil,which only results in overstimulation of the sebaceous glands,which then produce more sebum->more oil on your face->acnes.  So the more some of you removing oil on the surface of face by soap,some of you found the face even oilier.Then without knowing why,the continuous using of  harsh soaps,which means more drying skin's natural oil,get overstimulated more,and the result is creating oil even more. This goes on and on like endless circle unless you realize what's going on on your skin.If you don't stop it,there's only 1 result:your skin will be damaged. If you have oily skin,consider using plant oils to cleanse your make up first then you can remove the excess of oils(depends on oils that you use-if there's any excess left) either with warm water or soap that has gentle foaming agents.As for dry skin people,soap isn't your best face cleansing option.True you can give it a try for some trully natural soap since they still contain glycerine in it. But in my experience,most soaps are alkaline so that it won't benefit your dry skin.There's no point of drying out the already dry skin,it will only cause..wrinkles.For body application it maybe fine,but not for face since face is more delicate.

Btw,remember my previous post about muslin cloth here?I've found muslin cloth here in Indonesia on a babystore but appaprently it is far away from organic muslin cloth that I want. The texture I mean,it's rougher.It's different so I don't think you can use it to wipe your face.

it's too rough to use it on face:(

All in all,I like this adara virgin coconut oil.For its result and benefit,I'll deffy give 5 points out of 5.But I have something that's bugging me which is:

I don't get it,is it made in singapore or Indonesia?This is a company located in Indonesia,and I think this is an Indonesian company.So I don't get it why they don't mention where this product is made?I mean,even lots of big companies in the world who make their product in china,they'll still label it as"made in china"though it's an American or European brand.I think this product should state where it's made,is it in singapore or Indonesia.That's for a better labelling.

That's all for now.Thank you for reading and..have a nice weekend!:)

article credit to:

wikipedia

blog.foodeducate