My major skincare awakening happened about a year ago, when I fell asleep with Keihl’s cleanser on my face and woke up with a burn! That was not a great morning. What I learned from that experience, is how important it is to utilize products on your skin from reliable companies, that are almost if not actually EDIBLE. When you have a skincare awakening (hopefully yours will not involve burns), one of the first thing you realize is that you don’t necessarily need all of the beauty products you have. Keep it simple is my new motto. In the last three months I wash my face with a coconut cleanser that is basically coconut water, and I have started the habit of making a coconut oil mask every night that has left my skin much more hydrated and supple come morning. In the spirit of utilizing our food as medicine, there are many kitchen staples that can easily be used in the bathroom. Coconut oil is one of them! A truly versatile oil, coconut oil can replace several toiletry projects you may already use religiously. Below is a list of ten legitimate beauty uses for coconut oil. After all is said and done, don’t forget that you also can eat it! The recommended daily intake is around two to four tablespoons. You can eat it straight, blend it into smoothies, or even salad dressings and desserts. -XO Raw Girl
1. Face & Under Eye Cream
It has been established that lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid that is abundant in coconut oil, improves acne, making it a good option for some with oily and combination skin. For dark under eye circles, you can increase circulation in the area by using a small amount of coconut oil to massage under the eyes and keep the skin from wrinkling.
2. Make-up Remover
Coconut oil is an effective makeup remover and a great natural moisturizer! Simple dip a cotton ball in coconut oil and generously apply to face until makeup is removed. Be sure to cleanse your skin and moisturize afterwards.
3. Face Mask
Add a bit of honey (a natural antibacterial and moisturizer) to coconut oil and apply to your face. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes, then rinse. There are numerous DIY mask recipes you can find on the internet that have coconut oil as a featured ingredient. Experiment and find the mask that works for you.
4. Lip Balm
Coconut oil can be applied directly to chapped lips. You also can transfer a small amount to a container for lip moisture on the go, but be careful in the summer. Hot temperatures liquefy the oil, and you don’t want coconut oil dripping from your bag when you are on-the-go.
5. Body Moisturizer
Keep your skin soft and supple by applying coconut oil after a bath or shower to lock in moisture.
6. Bath Soak
Pour a little coconut oil into your bath with other oils and bath salts and enjoy a relaxing soak.
7. Body Scrub
Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or raw sugar to three tablespoons of coconut oil for a delicious body scrub.
8. Foot Treatment
If you have calluses or rough heels, exfoliate with a pumice stone right before bed. Slather coconut oil on your feet and put on a pair of socks to lock in moisture overnight.
9. Cuticle Cream
Apply to cuticles, then push them back with an orange stick.
10. Deep Conditioner
Massage warmed coconut oil to your scalp and hair. Wait 15 minutes, then rinse. For a leave in conditioner, simply melt coconut oil, apply to scalp and leave hair in a shower cap overnight. This is also an effective treatment for those with dandruff.