Powered by MCTs and powerful fatty acids, coconut oil has been touted as a likely panacea for countless health issues. Early research shows that coconut oil can lower HDL cholesterol, stave off heart disease, curb your appetite (and therefore aid in weight loss), and improve brain function, and that’s just naming a few. Not too shabby, right?
But the benefits of coconut oil don’t stop there. As people are increasingly seeking out healthier alternatives for wellness, coconut oil has solidified its place in beauty and skincare routines the world over. The truth is, coconut oil is essentially a miracle cure-all, and if I had to guess, I would bet that the low cost of this magic elixir makes it even more attractive.
Once the versatility of coconut oil was discovered, it’s popularity soared. People ran with it, using it for everything from taming frizzy hair to cleaning their make-up brushes. When it comes to using coconut oil, the list of hair and skin care applications is long, perhaps even daunting. To help you get the ball rolling, we’ve put together a list of easy ways to incorporate coconut oil into your hair and skincare routine.
1. Treating Dry and Damaged Hair
From heat styling, curling, straightening, and coloring, we put our hair through so much, and overprocessing can undoubtedly lead to dry, damaged hair. Repair and hydrate your hair with a simple DIY. Apply coconut oil to your hair and let it sit overnight. Wash it out the following morning to reveal healthy hair that’s deeply hydrated and shiny.
2. Face and Body Moisturizer
Because it’s loaded with fatty acids, coconut oil enhances your skin barrier and deeply hydrates dry skin, making it an excellent moisturizer for your face and body. For best results, use it on damp skin right out of the shower.
3. Makeup Remover
Try some coconut oil for a makeup remover that’s tough on makeup but gentle on your skin. Just apply some coconut oil to a cotton pad, wipe away the day and watch your makeup melt off (even waterproof mascara). Once your makeup is removed, wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove any traces of coconut oil.
4. Shaving Balm
Shaving can strip your skin of essential oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Use coconut oil to soften your hair, protect your skin, and get a smooth, close shave without itching, irritation, or razor burn.
5. Breath Freshener
The antibacterial properties of coconut oil make it a useful addition to your oral care routine. Just replace your regular mouthwash with coconut oil and swish for 20 minutes daily. If 20 minutes feels like a really long time, start with 3-5 minutes and work your way up. Known as oil pulling, this process tackles germs and bacteria, and the result is fresher breath and healthier teeth and gums.
6. Body Scrub
Mix coconut oil with either sugar or coarse salt, and slough off dead skin with this cost-effective DIY exfoliator that smells divine.
7. Itch Relief
Use coconut oil to ease the itching and discomfort of burns and bug bites. What’s more, coconut oil can be used to soothe the inflammation and itching commonly associated with eczema.
8. Tame Frizzy Hair
Rub a tiny amount of coconut oil in your palms to tame flyaways and frizzy hair for smooth and silky locks all day long.
9. Eyelash Growth Serum
The fatty acids in coconut oil can help stimulate hair growth for longer lashes. Using a Qtip, dab a bit of coconut oil along your lash line at night. To jazz things up, you can also mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Clearly, we weren’t kidding when we said that coconut oil is a miracle cure-all. While this list certainty isn’t exhaustive, it’s a good introduction to help you start adding coconut oil to your hair and skincare routine. Like anything else, your best bet is to play around with it, try a few things, and see what works best for you. Who knows, coconut oil might just be your new one and done solution for your beauty and wellness routine.
