Many of the natural beauty products in stores these days feature coconut oil as a main ingredient, and for good reason! It’s naturally antibacterial, an excellent moisturizer for both hair and skin, and of course, and it smells wonderful too! 🙂 But instead of shelling out the cash for those expensive natural beauty products, it’s much cheaper to learn how to use coconut oil in your beauty routine at home!
1. Moisturizing Body Scrub
Why waste your money on store-bought body scrubs when you can whip one up at home in seconds? Just mix 1/2 cup of coconut oil with 1 cup of sugar or coarse salt, and mix well. If you want, you can also add 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Use your homemade coconut oil body scrub once or twice per week to keep your skin super smooth and moisturized.
2. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the process of swishing with specific oils that have antibacterial and antiseptic qualities an extended period of time. Studies have shown this is an effective way to maintain and improve oral health (and give you whiter teeth)
As for the taste, using extra virgin coconut oil can make the experience a bit more pleasant for novices. Raw coconut oil is far more tasty on its own than other olive oil and vegetable oil choices! Just put a tablespoon of solid coconut oil in your mouth, wait for it to melt, then swish it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Spit the oil out (in the trash, not the sink), then rinse and brush your teeth.
Just make sure you don’t swallow. If you do, all of the grime and bacteria you just swished away will go into your stomach, instead of in the trash. Gross. Swishing the oil around creates friction that gently scrubs plaque and stains off your teeth.
3. Shaving Cream
Out of shaving cream? You can use coconut oil instead! Just rub some coconut oil between your hands to melt it a bit, then spread it over your skin and shave as usual. While you can use coconut oil alone as a shaving cream, combining it with other moisturizing ingredients can make it even better!
4. Treatment For Rough Heels
Has winter dryness left you with rough, cracked skin on your heels? Use coconut oil to help heal and soften heels overnight! Just slather it onto your feet before bed, then pull on a pair of socks. In the morning, your skin will be much softer and smoother.
5. Cuticle Oil
Treat dry, flaky, or peeling cuticles by rubbing coconut oil over them. It will help moisturize the skin around your fingernails and help protect your manicure at the same time.
6. Under-Eye Cream
Eye creams are often among the most expensive beauty items you can buy. Why waste all that money when you can use coconut oil instead? Spread a small amount over the delicate skin under your eyes to minimize dark circles and fine lines.
7. Hydrating Face Mask
Whip up a quick and easy face mask that will leave your skin feeling hydrated and rejuvenated! In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of honey, and the flesh of half an avocado. Apply the mixture to your face and let sit for 45 minutes. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
8. Skin Brightener
Use coconut oil to help lighten age spots and other areas of discoloration on your skin. In a small bowl, mix the juice of one lemon with 1 tablespoon of organic virgin coconut oil. Rub the mixture onto affected areas to naturally brighten and moisturize your skin.
9. Beauty Supplement
Work coconut oil into your diet to reap various health benefits, including boosts to your immunity and your energy levels! You can use coconut oil for cooking as an easy way to get more in your diet, or mix a spoonful into your morning coffee, tea, smoothie, or hot cocoa!
10. Dry and damaged hair treatment
For starters, coconut oil can work wonders for dry, damaged, and frizzy hair. The fatty acids soften your hair, and trap the moisture inside. The best way to apply it is to rub a small amount between your hands then apply it to your hair from roots to ends. Do this technique one section at a time, and comb through. The longer you can leave it in the better! Wrap your hair in a towel for at least 15 minutes and then follow with a gentle shampoo. If you are feeling bold, consider sleeping with it (cover your head with a shower cap to avoid getting coconut oil all over your pillow) and pursue your regular shower routine in the morning.
It’ll leave your hair feeling smooth and silky!
Note: These tips are not recommended for anyone with coconut allergies. To avoid an unexpected reaction, test a small amount of coconut oil on the inside of your elbow and wait to see if any skin irritation or reaction occurs before proceeding.
source: onegoodthing
