Money Saving March: Great Reasons To Use Coconut Oil In Your Beauty Routine
“Money Saving March” continues with this question: Wouldn’t it be nice to have an “all or one” beauty product that did it all? Yes, please, and what a money saver that would be to have a beauty product like that! Well, coconut oil (also referred to as lauric acid), is that money saving “all in one” beauty product! We all know coconut oil is derived from coconuts; that much is evident, but it’s the components that make up coconut oil that are important to point out. The lauric acid found in coconut oil can have antimicrobial properties, which can help kill bacteria on the skin and reduce inflammation and coconut oil also contains high levels of linoleic acid (an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid), which can be used as an emollient and skin soother. So, here are some ways to use coconut oil in your beauty routine:
Oil Pulling
Have you swished with coconut oil? Oil pulling is a traditional way to cleanse the mouth of bacteria. Start your day with oil pulling by swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes, spit the oil out (not down the sink, coconut oil can solidify and clog your drain. It’s better to spit the oil into paper towels then throw in the trash) then rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth. Your mouth and teeth will feel clean and coconut oil may help whiten your teeth too.
Remove Eye Makeup
Yes, and coconut oil even removes waterproof mascara too! Put a little on a cotton ball or cotton round and gently sweep it over your eyes, paying attention to your under-eyes as well. The oil does a great job breaking down waxy, inky eye makeup, and leaves the delicate area hydrated, too. Once you are done, wash your face as usual (I strongly recommend keeping coconut oil off your face. Coconut oil is comedogenic; meaning that coconut oil can and probably will clog your pores and cause cystic type acne bumps on the face. I know this from experience).
Makeup Brush Cleaner
You can use coconut oil to wash your makeup brushes. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon coconut oil with 2 tablespoons dish washing liquid (to wash a few brushes) or mix 2 tablespoons coconut oil with 4 tablespoons dish washing liquid (to wash a lot of brushes). Combining soap and coconut oil gets makeup brushes really clean and soft too.
Hair Treatment
Coconut oil is a great deep conditioner for the hair. Apply coconut oil to the roots and work the oil down to the ends. Comb the coconut oil through the hair and leave for at least an hour or overnight. Wash and style as usual.
Frizz Tamer
Use coconut oil to tame wild hair, but only use a small amount. Too much coconut oil will leave your hair feeling and looking oily.
Body Moisturizer
Use coconut oil as a body moisturizer. Coconut oil is known to help reduce scaring, stretch marks, and prevent sagging skin. It’s a natural “miracle cream.”
Treat Your Feet
Coconut oil works wonders on dry feet and cracked heels. Simply apply a layer of coconut oil all over your feet and cover with cotton socks before bed and in the morning your feet will be soft and smooth.
Cuticle Treatment
Coconut oil does wonders for your nails! Massage your fingernails and toenails with it as often as you like to help keep rugged cuticles and hangnails at bay. The anti-fungal properties of coconut oil are also helpful for keeping toes clear of fungal infections.
Shave Your Legs
That’s right! Coconut oil is a girl’s best friend when it comes to shaving. If you want baby soft legs, rub a small amount of coconut oil on your legs before shaving.
Rash, Burn & Itch Treatment
A small dab of coconut oil can help sooth rashes and burns (coconut oil can help to reduce and even eliminate diaper rash too). Coconut oil can also help calm itching and redness from bug bites and eczema.
These are just some of the money saving beauty benefits of using coconut oil. When choosing coconut oil, look for “virgin” or “extra virgin” organic coconut oil (I love Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut oil, $5.99 for 16 oz.). Do you use coconut oil in your beauty routine? If you do, please share how you use coconut oil in your beauty routine the comment box below and until next time, be happy, healthy, and beautiful!