Coconut oil is very versatile because it has so many uses. Most people use this nutrient dense oil to bake or cook with, but you can also use coconut oil as a natural beauty product. This super rich oil can be used to deep condition your hair or even your eye lashes. The essential fats found in coconut oil are just as beneficial inside the body as they are outside the body. The luscious scent of coconut is also one of my personal favorites! I love to just open the jar, and smell the fresh coconut. The smell reminds me of warm weather, and tropical locations.
Body Lotion
This beauty potion can be slathered on your skin as a moisturizer after a shower. Using coconut oil on your skin rather than a traditional moisturizer can help to improve the overall texture, and condition of your skin. Our skin absorbs over 60% of what we put on it, so why not give your skin a treat, and use coconut oil instead of chemical laden products. Many store bought lotions contain fragrances that can irritate the skin in addition to preservatives that have been linked to certain female cancers. Parabens are preservatives that are found in a whole host of beauty products. These preservatives are harmful because they mimic the female hormone estrogen. Coconut oil works just as well if not better than regular lotions, without all the risk factors.
Tip: Avoid using coconut oil on your face if you are prone to acne. This oil works excellent on the body, but it tends to be a bit too rich to use on the face. However, some people with extremely dry skin can use it on their face, and see good results so it all depends on your skin type.
Deep Hair Conditioner
Here in Arizona the dry weather really takes a toll on my hair. I notice that since we moved here 5 years ago I need to get a trim more often, and I go through more conditioner than I did in the Northwest. To help keep my hair from completely turning into straw I use coconut oil as a deep conditioner about every other week. I slather the coconut oil on my hair until my hair is slightly moist from the oil. I will pay special attention to put extra oil on the ends. Then I will pull my hair back in a braid and leave it on all night. I do this so that the coconut oil has plenty of time to penetrate into the hair shaft. By morning I shampoo and condition my hair as usual. Since doing this my hair seems so much stronger and I notice less breakage.
Eye Lash Conditioner
Mascara tends to really dry out my lashes so I make it a goal to only wear mascara twice a week. If there is a special occasion or I have a lot going on then I might wear it more often, but the majority of the time I stick to the twice a week rule. I dab a small amount of coconut oil on my lashes each evening before I go to bed. I am very careful when rubbing the oil near the roots to prevent eye irritation. Continually doing this has helped my lashes to stay strong, moisturized and I have even seen some growth. My lashes take mascara better and they are slightly longer than before I started this treatment.
Cuticle Cream
Coconut oil is so infused with moisture that it can also be used to condition the cuticles. Just before applying polish I will rub in some oil on my cuticles and nail bed. My hands are so soft, and my husband certainly takes notice. I have not found an all natural nail polish, but I typically use clear polish or avoid it all together.
You can buy standard coconut oil on line, at your local heath food store or you also could make it yourself. If have any other uses for coconut oil I would love to hear about it.
Sarahberra :)
You can also make your own coconut oil in the comfort of your own home. Click on the link below to read my other article on ehow.com: How to Make Your Own Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
