I use coconut oil regularly on my hair and skin, and I really believe that it is the ultimate multi-tasking beauty product for busy mums. I love it because it’s a completely natural product with plenty of benefits for your hair, skin and health, with absolutely no nasties.
Not all coconut oils are the same. You need to make sure that you’re buying raw, organic, cold pressed, unrefined coconut oil from a respectable, ethical company. I’ve always used Fushi Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
A word of warning. Not everyone gets on with coconut oil. It is classed as comedogenic (pore-blocking) so it may not be suitable if you have particularly oily skin and suffer from bad breakouts. It’s one of those things you have to try to find out if it’s right for you and your skin type.
So have you ever tried coconut oil? If not, here are a few reasons why you should give it a go.
Coconut oil nourishes your skin
Coconut oil is extremely nourishing for your skin. It is hydrating, contains fatty acids, has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and contains Vitamin E and Vitamin K, among other things! So there’s plenty of good stuff in there and it’s all natural.
Please bear in mind, though, that coconut oil only offers a very low SPF protection. Therefore a hydrating product with a high SPF and broad spectrum protection is a better choice for your daily moisturiser, especially during the summer.
Makes a great night moisturiser
For the reason above, I use coconut oil as my night moisturiser. I apply after cleansing and then leave it to work its magic overnight. My skin always feels super soft when I wake up (I also sleep on a silk pillow which helps too – check out my post on ‘Fed up of bedhead and mum-buns? Try sleeping on silk‘).
You only need to use a little. Coconut oil starts as a solid and will liquefy as it warms. Use a spatula to remove a little coconut oil from the jar (never go straight in with your fingers – this applies to all beauty products!), warm in your hands (if it’s not already liquid) and then apply lightly to your face and neck. You’ll find a little goes a long way. You may look shiny initially but give it a few minutes and the oil will sink in to your skin leaving you with a nice glow.
Coconut oil removes make-up
Coconut oil can effectively remove make-up. I find it works really well on stubborn eye make-up that my cleanser leaves behind.
May help with persistent dry skin
I found coconut oil excellent for healing our son’s eczema breakout on his back, and also a persistent dry patch of skin that developed on my face. It was the only product that worked in both these instances, and we tried a lot, including the usual suspects E45 and Double Base. Coconut oil is now my go-to when my son’s dry skin comes back, and it clears it up within 24 hours. Even my hubby was impressed.
Effective as a deep conditioner for hair and scalp
If you apply coconut oil generously to your hair and scalp overnight (make sure you cover your pillowcase with a towel), when you wash it out the next day your hair will be super soft and nourished.
I have really thick hair, so I also apply a little coconut oil to the ends of my hair after washing, to help control my hair before styling.
You can eat it
Some say that coconut oil is a healthier alternative to some other cooking oils, as it helps the food to retain more of its nutrients during the cooking process. I’ve substituted it in several meals (including fried eggs) and noticed no difference in taste. Coconut oil is more expensive than other oils so you may not want to use it all the time.
Have you tried it?
Do you love coconut oil too? Have you found other uses for it that I haven’t included above? Please share any comments below!