MICHELLE NIEDZIELA
HCD Research, Flemington, USA

Coconut oil, the most recent darling of the ‘natural world’, is touted as the skin care miracle we all need. People are recommending it for everything from hair care to diaper rash. Visit any Facebook mom group, skin care blog, or ask someone on the street, and you are likely to hear all sort of good coconut news. Now, there’s no denying that there are many benefits for skin; it’s full of goodness, packed with vitamin E, proteins, lauric, capric and caprylic acids. But isn’t coconut oil for cooking?

A major trend in recent years is the growing convergence of food and cosmetics. Consumers have become more discerning in their eating habits as they have recognized that the food they eat has a direct impact on their health and appearance. And a slew of nutri-cosmetics has since emerged to serve these consumers looking for nutritional supplements with beauty claims. Other consumers are changing their diets – some by eating fresh fruits & vegetables and even superfoods – to get added nutrients or to ‘detox’ their bodies.

Personal care brands are capitalizing on this buzz by appealing to them with food-based cosmetics as beauty solutions. Skin care ...