By Emmy Downey, Esthetics Instructor
This nut may fall close to the tree but its powers reach far beyond the sand. Smear it, cook with it, eat it – there’s almost nothing it can’t do. We’re talking rich, raw, pure virgin coconut oil – the godly grease that seems to be the hottest thing to drop lately. From the outside in and back again, here are 10 ways to indulge in this tropical multi-tasker:
- Your new favorite moisturizer Comparable to that of mineral oil, coconut oil is a safe, effective moisturizer for all skin types and offers up to 20% UV protection (the actual SPF value is still up for debate so be sure to protect yourself accordingly).
- A split-end hair treatment Ladies, we’re talking natural nutrition for your hair and for the bros with fros, you could give it a go too. Next time your frays are feeling fried, work a bit of coconut oil through your hair to spruce up those dead ends (warning: a little goes a long way!). Apply before bedtime and wash it out in the morning. You’ll be ready to brave your day with soft locks straight from the tropics.
- A natural eye-makeup remover Smear a little bit of coconut oil on a cotton ball and eye makeup be gone! It even works on waterproof mascara after those long days at the beach. Play on sun lovers!
- A kitchen staple Coconut oil won’t burn thanks to its high smoke and boiling point, making it a staple in the kitchen. It can be used to grease pans (and wooden cutting boards too), to cook with and even to replace butter in your baking at a 1-to-1 ratio (it’s a game changer for vegan/gluten-free baking).
- A natural bug repellent Fight off the little fellas by mixing coconut oil with peppermint oil extract. Your skin will thank you; the bugs won’t.
- A twist on a ‘pop’ular snack Mix with butter and toss on your popcorn for a (mostly) healthy snack. Ryan Gosling movie marathon, here we come!
- Lip balm Keep your pucker soft and supple by rubbing a little coconut oil onto your lips. It works as a softening agent and even provides a little bit of sun protection.
- A natural healing agent Applying coconut oil to scrapes and cuts will help create a shield over the wound and protect it from dust, bacteria and viruses. On bruises the oil speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues and on bug bites it keeps itching at bay.
- A fitness and energy boost A spoonful of coconut oil won’t necessarily help the medicine go down (then again it probably could do that tot) but it does serve as a great endurance pick-me-up for athletes and has also been prove to fire up your metabolism.
- Shaving cream Coconut oil lessens irritation on the face and neck, detoxifies skin as you shave, and moisturizes all at once. Also, the oil makes it easier and faster to clear razor blades as they are used.
