Coconut Oil for Health and Skin Care

Coconut oil continues to gain popularity not only in the kitchen but also on your beauty shelf, and for very good reasons. The oil is packed with nutrients that can nourish and heal your skin from the outside and increase your resistance power from the inside. For centuries, people living in the tropical parts of the world have been using coconut oil as a kitchen and bathroom staple. From ant-aging to good digestion, we show you eleven different ways you can use coconut oil for health/skin care. Discover other general Uses for Coconut here.

coconut oil for health and skin care

Coconut Oil for Skin Care

Coconut oil has a good shelf life which makes it perfect for using in many skin care products. Here is how you can use it for your own beauty treatments.

Lip gel:

While many lip balms often have a natural base such as coconut oil or shea butter, they often still contain synthetics so that the ingredients do not melt when it gets warmer. These toxic substances can find their way through the skin and mouth into your body. A small jar of coconut oil makes for an excellent natural lip gel. And if you accidentally lick this natural lip gel on your lips, you can rest easy knowing it is safe and healthy!

Anti-aging:

It is no secret that aging reveals itself through the face and hands. Most of us follow daily rituals anti-aging creams and lotions to soften and hydrate the skin of the face and the hands and keep dryness and wrinkles at bay. But these products are often full of chemicals. Coconut oil is a great natural solution for dry hands and dry skin. Simply take coconut oil on your hand, rub your palms together to melt the oil and then moisturize your skin. You can also it as an under eye cream.

The oil is also good for cracked and hardened feet. The feet become softer within a short period of time with regular use of coconut oil mixed with exfoliating ingredients like salts.

Skin makeup remover:

Coconut oil is an excellent makeup remover and is much more safer than harsh removers with chemicals which can prove to be harmful if they get into sensitive areas.

Deodorant

Coconut oil can be used as a deodorant in many ways. Virgin coconut oil is naturally a deodorant due to the lauric acid present in it. But you can go one step further and mix it with your favorite essential oils to create scented deodorants. You can also make your own warm weather deodorant by mixing together a quarter cup of virgin coconut oil, cornstarch and baking soda each with 2 tablespoons of beeswax. Add to this 15 drops of tea tree essential oil and 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Hair Mask for Frizzy Hair

Coconut oil can be used as a very good hair mask as it helps against the loss of proteins. Although it is suitable for all types of hair, it is particularly helpful in taming wild curls and frizzy hair. Wash your hair and let it dry until it is slightly damp. Apply the oil using your hands. Let it sit for fifteen minutes before rinsing. If your hair is very frizzy, you can also use it as a leave-in conditioner without rinsing it off.

Shaving Cream

Does shaving leave your skin dry? Coconut oil comes to the rescue once again! Substitute your shaving cream with coconut oil or make your moisturizing shaving cream by mixing together equal parts of coconut oil and aloe vera (or conditioner).

Coconut Oil for Health Care

Coconut oil is believed to be useful for several skin disorders like acne, eczema, and psoriasis and is also known to improve your immune system when consumed internally. Here are some benefits of coconut oil for health care.

Alzheimer’s

Phytotherapists recommend eating coconut oil for people with Alzheimer’s as it is believed to counteract the inflammation caused in the brain by eating unhealthy fats. Read more here.

Quality organic & non-hydrogenated, heart -healthy coconut oil improves the body’s use of insulin, contains good cholesterol and improves brain health. A study at the University of Oxford suggested effects of coconut oil were temporary for Alzheimer’s patients, however noted short-term benefits resulting from its use.

Coconut Oil for Health and Skin Care. Organic Unrefined coconut oil

Lowering Cholesterol

Coconut oil has a positive effect on High-density-lipoprotein (HDL) due to the lauric acid in it. An increase in HDL automatically brings a reduction of the cholesterol along with it, keeping your heart healthy.

Increases Resistance

The lauric acid present in coconut is the form of acid, which can also be found in mother’s milk. It helps the body develop resistance against bacteria and viruses.

Increased Metabolism and Weight Loss

Coconut oil is known to stimulate the metabolism causing food to be processed faster and better. This is, of course, conducive to weight loss. Coconut oil also contains fewer calories than other fats and helps reduce the feeling of hunger.

Increased Energy Levels

The fats in coconut oil fat contain medium-chain triglycerides or fatty acids (MCTs) which contribute to an increased energy level as opposed to long chain triglycerides that get stored up around your hips in the form of fat. Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your sports drink or even coffee will give you an energy boost.

Read more: Uses for Coconut – Prime Natural Beauty

Please comment below if you found this article interesting, or add a comment explaining your experiences using coconut oil below.

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Infographic Courtesy of: Be Youthful
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