During quarantine, I've decided to put aside the makeup (for the most part) and focus on healing my skin and hair. Coconut Oil is a staple in my house as it now is for many people now. Not only does it smell amazing, but people use it for cooking, dietary needs, candle making, literally you name it and you can use coconut oil to do it.
There are so many questions that come up when using natural oils. From how to use them to which ones to buy. I'm hoping to address that here and provide some clarity to that. I'm also hoping to share some ways that I use coconut oil that you could easily incorporate to your daily routine
How I use coconut oil
I mainly use coconut oil for beauty and skincare needs. I only buy extra virgin coconut oil as this has the pulp texture that is great for exfoliating. It doesn't matter which one you buy, as long as it's labelled "extra virgin". Most grocery store brands retail from $7-12. The refined coconut oil is a bit tougher to use because it tends to absorb more quickly rather than extra virgin.
1. Makeup Remover
If I'm running low on wipes, or micellar water, or even if my skin feels irritated from wearing so much makeup, I scoop out about a teaspoon of coconut oil from the jar, warm it up in my hands and apply it to a dry face. I leave on for about 3-5 minutes and once I hit the shower, I rub it off with a wash cloth soaked in hot water. You guys have to try this your skin will thank you. Once all the make-up comes off it feels like your skin can finally breathe. This is the best make-up remover ever, and its cheap and easy.
2. Overnight hair treatment
On dirty hair, that I know I'm going to wash the next day, I warm up enough oil in a microwave and apply the oil concentrating on the ends as opposed to the root. Since theres already buildup on the root because of the dirty hair, the oil might just ask more. Go to bed and once you wake up you're good to go! your hair will feel soft, strengthened and this will help your hair grow as well.
3. Teeth whitening
Oddly enough, no one expects that an oil can actually be good for your teeth. Doing a method called oil pulling, you swish around coconut oil in your mouth (like mouthwash), the oil then is activated in such a way that it pulls out all the plaque and bad breath causing bacteria.
4. Overnight Lip Mask/ Lip balm
To use coconut oil as a lip mask all you do is scoop up some of the solidified oil from the jar and apply it to your lips. Really easy and quick, go to sleep and bam soft lips.
*** there are so many other ways you can use coconut oil, but these are really the main ones for me
So,what are the benefits?
Skin: So many products on the markets are made with harsh chemicals that can really irritate your skin. Coconut oil is as natural as it gets. Coconut oil has fatty acids, its an anti-fungal, and most importantly its bursting with natural hydration. Coconut oil has Vitamin E and Vitamin A, which help soothe acne, sunburn, and wrinkles. It also aids in the skin's collagen production by helping the skin become more elastic
Hair: Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft quickly and efficiently due to the fatty acids that comprise the oil. Coconut oil protects the hair from damage caused by heat, and coloring, by decreasing protein loss. Coconut oil protects better than most oils because it is lower in molecular weight.
Coconut oil is amazing for your overall health, and if you haven't started using it now you should definitely consider incorporating it into your life in some way, shape or form. I hope this helped you and gave you ideas on how to do that!
