Coconut Oil – 6 Key Beauty Benefits for You
Coconut Oil is quite an underdog in the beauty and personal care segment.
There are diverse opinions on this natural product. There are the believers who swear by it as the ultimate elixir for use in any number of personal care and cures. And then there are the skeptics who view it as a greasy, waxy, highly over-rated plant extract.
Let me look at it from the traditional medicine perspective.
Coconut tree, in many Asian countries, is revered as a “Wonder-Tree” since almost all parts of the tree are used by native communities. The Coconut Palm fronds, coconut fruit, shell of the fruit, bark of the tree, wood from the tree – all are used in some form or the other by native communities in the Asian-Oceanic regions.
Coconut oil is used as edible oil and is acknowledged by nutritionists as a “Superfood”. The medicinal properties of coconut oil are now accepted by both traditional and modern medicine.
It is a natural product, has no added active chemicals and has medicinal properties. It makes it the perfect ingredient for use in beauty treatments and routines.
There are so many incredible ways you can include Coconut oil in your beauty routine.
1. Body & Face Moisturizer
If you are a natural product and close to nature living freak, you will so much prefer a moisturizer for our body and face which is not a concoction of active chemicals you cannot even pronounce.
Coconut oil is very rich in fatty acids and has a unique property of being absorbed very quickly by the skin. Although it feels greasy as you apply it, it absorbs very quickly and you are left with soft, supple skin. This makes it perfect for moisturizing your face too and you can wear any make-up over it. I also use it on my feet before sleeping. Massage the soles of your feet with slightly warm Coconut oil on dry winter days before sleeping. It will moisturize your feet, relax you and help in good sleep.
2. Dandruff Cure
Coconut oil is recommended for anti-dandruff treatment. It has anti-microbial properties and lowers the yeast levels in your skin. Yeast causes itching and flaking in the scalp and this aggravates dandruff.
You could gently massage coconut oil into your scalp. Leave it in your scalp for 20 minutes and then use a mild shampoo to wash it. You will be surprised to find that you don’t need to use any conditioner after this routine as the Coconut oil conditions your hair very well. You could also apply coconut oil to your scalp in the night before sleeping as an overnight conditioner and wash it in the morning. Your mane will have a well-nourished, glossy look through the week.
3. Brilliant Body Scrub
Coconut oil can be a great ingredient in your homemade body scrub. Just add some brown sugar or salt to Coconut oil and you have 100% natural body scrub. The mild perfume of the Coconut oil is very pleasing and the scrub works as a great exfoliator. It gently cleanses your skin, opens up the pores and allows your skin to breathe. Use this Body scrub regularly and you will be left with a clean and radiant look.
4. Skin and Nail Care with Coconut Oil
Coconut works wonders as a general skincare lotion and tonic. If you are suffering from skin related auto-immune ailments such as psoriasis, then try applying Coconut oil or Coconut butter to the inflamed areas. It reduces inflammation, has a cooling effect and soothes your skin. Coconut oil mixed with Camphor powder is a great anti-allergic and will also cure insect bites. If you have sensitive skin and trouble using make-up, use the Coconut oil and camphor powder lotion regularly. It will reduce your allergy, boost your immunity and make your skin more amenable to make-up.
Applying Coconut oil regularly around your nails will help fight dry cuticles, cracked skin and will moisturize your hands. It also nourishes your nails and you will have minimum chipping and brittle nail issues.
5. Oral Care
Coconut oil is not a substitute for the regular oral health regimens of brushing and flossing. However, Coconut oil can also be used as a mouthwash that comes from the oil pulling tradition. Take a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil in your mouth, swirl it around for a few minutes and spit it out. It has a mild anti-bacterial effect, strengthens your tooth enamel and works as a mouthwash.
Coconut oil mixed with a little salt also works as a tooth whitening agent. Massage it gently o your teeth and you will have a radiant smile.
6. Shaving Lotion
Coconut oil can be used as a soothing shave lotion for the face, armpits and, legs. I would so much prefer to use a natural product on the sensitive skin areas of my body. It hydrates your skin for a very smooth shave and leaves your armpits and legs with a fresh and healthy feeling. The scent of Coconut oil works as a deodorant. It is a good salve on the minor cuts during shaving. What more do I want?