- Why is coconut oil beneficial?
- Coconut oil for hair
- Replacements for makeup
- Benefits for skin
- Dental uses of coconut oil
- How to use on your hands & feet
When talking about the beauty benefits of coconut oil, you might first think of using it as a hair mask, but there are an unbelievable amount of brilliant ways to use it in your daily pamper routine!
Today we're sharing how you can try it out for your hair, skin, teeth, hands, feet and even incoxrporate it as part of your makeup collection.
Why is coconut oil beneficial?
If you think coconut oil is destined for the kitchen cupboard, think again! Coconut oil is being hailed as an all-powerful, miracle beauty product. The oil is rich in fatty acids and has natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. It even has a natural SPF.
Are you sold? When picking up your own pot of coconut oil, be sure to find one that is 100% 'pure' or 'raw'. Any additives could impact how well it works and its suitability to be applied to the skin.
Coconut oil for hair
1. Deep condition for long locks
You might have heard of this beauty secret. Repair dry and damaged hair at home with an easy hair mask.
Take a small amount in your fingertips and work through the length of your hair. Focus especially on the tips of the hair and any areas that show particular damage or frizz. Leave it in your hair for as long as possible. We'd suggest wrapping your hair up in a towel to keep your clothes clean.
You could even put on a shower cap and leave it to work its magic overnight. Wash your hair as normal with a mild shampoo to remove the oil.
2. Instant frizz tamer
Heading out the door with frizzy hair? Not with coconut oil! Take a few seconds in your morning routine to smooth your hair over. Take a tiny amount between your fingers and warm it up. Gently run your hands over your hair for instant smoothness and shine.
TOP TIP: Remember that a little goes a long way. Avoid applying the oil to the roots or you could end up with a greasy looking hairdo!
3. Dandruff remedy
Skip the anti-dandruff shampoos and start giving your scalp a nourishing coconut oil treatment. Just rub a small amount all over the root and scalp. Give yourself a relaxing head massage whilst you're at it. Not only will it moisturise dry skin, but it'll promote hair growth.
4. Protect your hair
We all love a summer holiday, but chlorine, salt water, and the sun can leave your hair feeling worse for wear. Before venturing to the pool or beach, give your hair the protection it needs by lightly coating the ends with coconut oil.
TOP TIP: Coating your hair with coconut oil will also prevent tangling and knots.
5. Richer colour
Apparently, coconut oil can even be used to achieve richer hair colour, prevent damage and lessen fading. This is because the oil is able to penetrate the hair quickly.
Replacements for makeup
6. Remove your makeup
Waterproof mascaras and stubborn gel eyeliners are no match for the power of coconut oil. Add a small amount of coconut oil to a cotton wool pad and wipe off makeup as normal. Make sure to clean your skin afterward with water and a face wash.
7. Prime your skin
Everyone needs a good primer in their kit, but did you know that coconut oil can step up to the challenge? Cover your face with a small amount to soften skin and give a radiant glow. Applying foundation and other makeup over top.
8. Clean your brushes
Brushes need the same treatment as your hair - even synthetic ones! For a nourishing brush cleaner that'll keep the bristles soft, mix together 2 parts mild, antibacterial soap to 1 part coconut oil. Clean your brushes as normal using clean water.
9. Lip balm
Did you know that your favourite lip balm could actually be doing more harm than good? With ingredients like menthol, alcohol and salicylic acid, lip balms tend to dry out our lips over time. Make the swap to coconut oil for a lip treatment that's guaranteed to moisturise, without any hidden nasties.
TOP TIP: For on the go use, transfer some of the oil into a small pot. An old mints tin works best. You can even mix in a bit of old lipstick to make a tinted lip gloss.
10. Make this DIY lip scrub
Nothing ruins the look of a beautiful new lipstick like chapped, peeling lips. Make your own lip scrub with Mad In Crafts recipe. Jessica combines 1 part honey, 1 part melted coconut oil and 1 part brown sugar for an exfoliating treatment.
11. Longer lashes... without extensions!
A set of false lashes can make any evening look a winner, but what if you could have long lashes naturally? Get a youthful look by applying coconut oil along the waterline with a cotton bud. Do this before bed for best results.
12. Highlight your cheekbones
Glittery highlighters can end up looking garish and unnatural. Give your cheekbones a subtle highlight with a small dab of coconut oil.
Benefits for skin
13. Body scrub
Exfoliate all over and remove dead skin cells with a body scrub. Heidi from Happiness Is Homemade shows how it's done with a lemon-lime coconut sugar scrub. All you need is sugar, coconut oil, witch hazel, zest of a lemon and your favourite essential oil.
While we're talking about exfoliation, find out whether you should exfoliate before or after shaving.
14. Moisturiser
While you're working coconut oil into your beauty routine, use it as your new go-to body moisturiser. Your skin will look super radiant!
15. Shaving balm
Coconut oil is resistant to water, making it the perfect shaving balm! Smooth over your legs and underarms before shaving to soften the hair follicles and leave skin smooth.
16. Face mask
Face masks are a great way to give the skin on our face the nutrients to repair at the end of a hectic day. Coconuts and Kettlebells have the perfect recipe, using honey, coconut oil, and lavender essential oil.
17. Bath oil
Coconut oil may be water-resistant, but it's perfect for your bath! Add a few scoops along with equal parts Epsom salts to the water and let dissolve in.
18. Undereye cream
Don't throw your money away on expensive eye creams. Take a small amount of coconut oil and smooth over dark under eyes for an intensively moisturising treatment.
19. For a smoother massage
Warm-up coconut oil in the microwave until it's melted to a liquid. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil - we'd suggest lavender for relaxation. All you need to do now is to find someone willing to give you a nice massage!
20. Night cream
Coconut oil has all the antioxidants your skin needs. Apply the oil all over your face before bed and leave it to work its magic.
21. Stretch mark cream
Did you know that coconut oil can prevent stretch marks? Unfortunately, it won't get rid of existing stretch marks, but regularly moisturising your skin will stop them from forming. Focus on the stomach, chest and thighs for best results.
22. Deodorant
Commercial deodorants are bad news. You'll be hard pushed to find one on the high street that doesn't contain an offending ingredient like aluminium or silica. Mama Instincts has a great recipe for an all-natural deodorant that'll actually do good for your skin, rather than flushing it with toxins.
23. Eradicate cellulite
Cellulite is a completely normal part of changes to the body. Whether it's a change from pregnancy or weight gain, it's caused by a layer of fat under the skin.
If you do decide that you want to get rid of the cellulite on your body, coconut oil could help you. Just rub over affected areas and, for best results, wrap skin in bandages.
24. After-sun soother
Caught a bit too much sun? Aloe vera is great for soothing irritation, but mix in a bit of coconut oil to benefit from antioxidants. It'll help prevent skin from ageing too.
Dental uses of coconut oil
25. Breath freshener
Have you heard of oil pulling? It's a breath-freshening technique that involves gargling coconut oil mixed into water for 10-20 minutes. It's known for killing germs and whitening teeth with its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Once you've finished gargling and the water has turned a milky white, spit the residue into the bin. If you spit down the sink, it could block the drain, so take care.
26. Whitening toothpaste
It seems there's nothing coconut oil can't do! Make your own toothpaste by mixing the oil together with baking soda. It'll remove surface stains for whiter teeth.
How to use on your hands & feet
27. The perfect manicure
When painting your nails, don't skip showing your cuticles a little bit of love. Rub a small amount of coconut oil into the nail bed to soften the skin.
28. Hand cream
As simple as it sounds - rub a tiny amount between your hands every time your hands are feeling worse for wear.
29. Foot cream
Don't neglect your feet. Coat them in coconut oil before bed and pop on your cosiest socks overtop to keep the oil off of your bedsheets.
Do you use coconut oil in your beauty routine? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
Gargle for 10-20 minutes, really?!
Yep, really! You can start with 5 minutes, and gradually build up to 20 minutes.