1. How is koqo's face.body.hair Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) different from other brands?

Our oil is unrefined coconut oil which contains the highest amount of nutrients found in coconut oil. It is handmade & wet-milled, which makes it more time & labour intensive to produce, the small batch production also ensures the highest quality of oil at all times. It is made from fresh coconut flesh and not dried coconut kernels. Unlike other coconut oil, the scent is always fresh, texture extra smooth and it keeps longer than other coconut oil. As a brand, we also set out to support community based, village based, home based industries & currently contributes towards fund for teenage education.

2. Where is the product from? Is it organic?

k o q o's face.body.hair VCO is made exclusively by hand in the traditional way in a Balinese village. It is made from organic coconuts, grown in the village, without using pesticides and fertilisers but natural compost made by the farmers.

3. Is it made from fresh coconut flesh? Does it have a strong smell?

YES! k o q o's face.body.hair VCO is made by wet-milling method which uses ONLY fresh coconut flesh and not copra (dried coconut kernels). This is to ensure the best unrefined quality, keeping most of the nutrients intact. Koqo's raw quality VCO smells of fresh coconuts with a natural pleasant scent that stays fresher than most oils. Due to its purity, it has a longer shelf life than most brands. (Most commercial oil is produced from dried coconut meat (copra), which is commonly contaminated by mould, flies, aflatoxin and unpleasant odour so these oils need to be refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) using high heat and chemicals. This RBD oil may have also undergone hydrogenation process to extend their shelf life and may will result in losing its healing properties.)

4. You say your product is unrefined & raw, what does that mean?

Unrefined is the purest and best grade of coconut oil. It is obtained with the least processing, without refining, bleaching or deodorizing (non-RBD). Unrefined coconut oil contains phytonutrients and polyphenols which have antioxidant, antibiotic, cancer-preventative, anti-inflammatory and other tissue-supportive and tissue-protective properties. The less processing you have, the higher the nutrient content and healthier it is for you. Our RAW coconut oil is using the traditional wet-milling process which is made by hand hundreds, if not thousands of years ago and has the least processing done to it. It is the purest form of coconut oil you can get, allowing you to receive the maximum benefits that coconut oil has to offer.

5. What is wet-mill? Why k o q o use wet-milling method & fermentation?

Wet-mill means the coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut milk (wet emulsion) & not dried coconuts (copra). Wet-milling produces the highest quality of coconut oil. k o q o's coconut oil is wet-milled and the oil is separated by natural fermentation. The fermentation process is a simple technique of extracting coconut oil, as has been done in people’s kitchens in tropical climates for hundreds of years. Coconut oil produced this way has the highest level of nutrients and contains phytonutrients and polyphenols known for their antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-cancer properties. First, the coconut milk emulsion is made from freshly grated mature coconut. The coconut milk is then allowed to sit and ferment. During the fermentation process, the heavier water sinks to the bottom of the container & the cream rises to the top, leaving a crystal clear layer of oil in the middle. The cream is skimmed off and the water is discarded leaving the oil to be filtered for greater clarity & purity. (The more common type of Virgin coconut oil you find in supermarkets today is derived from pressing the oil out of quick dried coconut where the fresh coconut meat is dried first and oil is immeditately pressed out of the meat which allows for easier mass production of virgin coconut oil. Most of them are produced by the dried coconut (desiccated coconut) industry.)

6. What are medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs)?

Coconut oil is one of the richest source of medium chain trigylcerides (MCTs) . The acids found in MCTs are called medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) which are the healthy fatty acids. Lauric acid which makes up most of coconut oil is one such healthy fatty acid, the other being capric acid & caprylic acid. To date, there are over 1500 studies that prove these fatty acids in the coconut oil to have many health benefits. Unlike long chain fatty acid in animal saturated fat, the MCFA can be easily digested, raises your metabolism and boost immune system. k o q o's coconut oil is unrefined, non-RBD, not only does it have a delightful flavor and aroma, but it is an excellent source of MCFAs and potent healing properties.

7. What are the different types of production of coconut oil?

REFINED COCONUT OIL The copra-based refined coconut oils are usually referred to as “RBD" oils which stands for: refined, bleached, deodorized. (Most commercial oil is produced from dried coconut meat (copra), which is commonly contaminated and have an unpleasant odour so these oils need to be refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) using chemicals. Hydrogenated Coconut Oil: This is the one refined coconut oil you want to stay away from as an edible oil. The small portion of unsaturated fatty acids are hydrogenated, creating some trans fats which is not good for health at all. Liquid Coconut Oil: It is “fractionated coconut oil” that has had lauric acid removed. It is also referred to as “MCT oil”. Just be aware that it is a highly refined product, and that it is missing the coconut oil’s star ingredient: Lauric Acid. VIRGIN COCONUT OIL Virgin coconut oil derived from expeller-pressing the oil from dried coconut. In this method, the fresh coconut meat is dried first, and then later the oil is pressed out of the coconut. This commonly used method allows for easier mass production of virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil derived through a "wet-milling" process. The oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat without drying first. "Coconut milk" is expressed first by pressing it out of the wet coconut meat and then the oil is separated from the water via fermentation and other processes.

8. Can I use it in combination with other products?

Most certainly. Add it to your favourite lotions or mix with essential oil to create great smelling moisturisers. It is great as a natural massage oil & carrier oil.

9. How do I use it in humid & tropical climate?

We recommend misting your face with water or spring water then adding a drop of VCO to misted skin and pat or massaged onto skin till it is absorbed completely. The oil sits on top of the mist and is spread more evenly and easily onto skin so less oil is needed this way. As the water evaporates the oil gets absorbed into skin leaving skin silky soft.

10. Why has my bottle of VCO turn cloudy & white? It seems to have solidified. Has it gone bad?

Virgin coconut oil turns cloudy naturally below 24°C and solidify below 18°C. DO NOT PANIC! It will not affect the quality of the coconut oil and it will revert to liquid form when the temperature goes up again above 24°C. If the coconut oil solidifies, just stand the bottle in a bowl or a cup of warm water until it becomes liquid again before using it. Tip: Leave your bottle outside your air-conditioned room or inside the bathroom and drawer where it is warmer so it stays liquid naturally, at all times.

11. How to keep my bottle of VCO fresh?

Koqo's shelf life is 2 years but if stored well, it should last at least another year after its expiry date due to its purity. We advise to use within 12 months upon opening but as long as the oil stays clear and smells good, it is good to use. It is best to keep the bottled coconut oil away from high heat and direct sunlight. No refrigeration is required. Generally a good quality bottle of VCO can last up to 3-4 years without going rancid.

Yes! We use coconut oil for (nearly) everything!:) It is a great carry-on multi-tasker when you travel on flight and great to bring along for any tropical/sunny or winter /ski holidays! We use it for skin, hair, teeth, health and baking at home! As long as you are not allergic or intolerant to coconut (do a patch test) , it is fabulous for eczema as it helps to relieve and cool the itching and pain. Just apply a thin layer of coconut oil when necessary.

13. I am trying to lose weight, I can’t afford to eat more fat.

Yes, you can if it’s coconut oil. Coconut oil is converted to energy directly for use by the body and is not stored as fat. It helps fight obesity. Replace other oils or butter in diet with coconut oil today to manage weight issues. It has been observed that people living in tropical coastal areas, who use coconut oil every day as their primary cooking oil, are not fat, obese or overweight & have healthy hearts.

14. I heard it can be good for my teeth and gums, how do I use it?

Oil pulling is an ancient Indian remedy found in books written approximately 1500 years ago. The process is very simple. You simply swish a tablespoon of coconut oil into your mouth for 5-20 minutes, or do it while you are in the shower, spit it out and then brush your teeth. The purer the coconut oil, the more effective it is in pulling bacteria and disease-causing germs from the mouth. It helps prevent tooth decay, maintain oral hygiene and whitens teeth at the same time. Oil-pulling with coconut oil has been used for centuries as an effective method to cleanse the mouth of bacteria and help heal periodontal disease due to its high percentage of anti-bacteria MCFAs.

Koqo is the perfect oil for your KETOGENIC diet - a fat based diet which focuses on healthy and natural fats including moderate protein and staying away from carbohydrates which studies have shown to be the cause of many health issues. Coconut oil can boost brain function by directly feeding the brain energy via ketones created in the liver from coconut oil. Ketone bodies are what our body produces in the liver when it converts fat (as opposed to glucose) into energy. Ketones can feed your brain directly without the need for insulin, which can prevent brain atrophy. Add coconut oil to your diet by adding it to your coffee, tea, juice, smoothie, beverages, salads & yogurts. It is also ideal for baking and cooking. Or drink it neat daily to boost your immunity, improve energy, endurance & digestion. It also helps in the absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids. - See the update from Dr Mary Newport at www.coconutketones.com regarding Alzheimer’s disease. - A study published in the Journal of the Neurobiology of Aging discovered that the administration of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), the primary type of fat found within coconut oil, can be a strong supporter of cognitive function. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15123336)

16. Is there a difference between "Extra Virgin" vs "Virgin" Coconut Oil?

None at all, it is simply a marketing term. There are no accepted definitions, specific criteria or industry standard to distinguish "extra" virgin coconut oil unlike the olive oil industry. It is therefore important that you know how your coconut oil is produced.

17. Is it safe for pregnant women?

Yes, it is. It is a natural product, safe for everyone including pregnant & lactating women. Coconut oil provides pregnant moms with a vital combination of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins that are also good for their babies. It is especially useful for lactating moms as it helps to stimulate milk production. Breast milk contains lauric acid and coconut oil is the next best source of lauric acid. Infant formula usually contains coconut oil too. “Coconut oil contains large amounts of lauric acid, a powerful anti-microbial fatty acid that protects the immune system of the fetus and newborn. Pregnant and nursing mothers should eat coconut oil to increase the quality of the womb environment and breast milk” – Dr. Claudia Pillow As with most foods, consume in moderation or recommended dosage.

Yes and Yes. Pets love the smell of coconut oil. It is great for their fur, making it fuller & glossy & helps with their skin issues too. Pets love drinking it too so do include in their diet!

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