Coconut oil is a common ingredient in the kitchen. No one would expect it to apply to one’s skin or hair. Of course, some products include coconut oil in their formula, but it’s close to uncommon for someone to use purely natural coconut oil without any chemical mixtures. Dermatologists, scientific studies, and genuine beauty lovers support the raw use of coconut oil and research to back up their claim.
There have been numerous feedbacks vouching for the effect of Coconut oil in their beauty routines. While their feedback is promising, it is best to keep in mind that our bodies have different responses to products. Things that work on a certain group of people won’t immediately mean that they could work on you, as well. Although there’s no harm in testing the oil out, it is still best to talk to your dermatologist about it.
That said, here are a few advantages of using coconut oil on your hair and skin. Perhaps you can test them out. Please remember that coconut oil has a high pH level and that our bodily fluids are already toxic enough with close to the same amount of coconut oil’s pH level. And it’s never a good thing to fight fire with fire. Again, please make sure to consult professionals before plunging into the world of Coconut Oil for skin and hair.
Coconut Oil for the Hair
Coconut oil is known to have the right properties that can not only smoothen one’s hair but also make it silky. There have been countless young women who claim that Coconut oil can bring hair back to life—especially brittle ones. So, how can one use unsaturated coconut oil on the hair, and what’s the effect?
Hair Conditioner
Young women and men alike are fond of applying conditioner to the hair to moisturize it and make it look bouncy and silky all day long. But some conditioners make the hair greasy and damage the scalp. An integrative medicine physician and CentreSpringMD owner, Tasneem Bhatia, M.D., claims that she uses coconut oil for her hair. It is simply because the oil can easily penetrate the hair strands down to its roots, therefore feeding the hair with the right amount of vitamins for it to spring back to life. You can apply it to your hair at night. Comb your hair first, apply a sufficient amount of oil on your hair, and tie it up in a loose bun. You can wrap a towel around your hair before you sleep. In the morning, rinse it using a gentle shampoo. It is best to let the coconut oil seep into your hair roots throughout the night for the best result.
DIY Hair Mask
Your locks of hair are possible to soften with the use of Coconut oil. With 3 to 5 tablespoons of refined coconut oil, mix it with 20 drops of rosemary oil. Apply it onto your hair and reach the scalp, massage it gently for a few minutes, then cover it with a shower cap. Let it seep for 30 to 60 minutes, and then rinse. Use a gentle shampoo to wash the coconut oil out of your hair and scalp. You can blow dry your hair or let it dry naturally, and voila, your hair will look healthier, especially with consistent application every day.
Taming Frizz
It’s quite common that you walk out of the house with a pretty hairstyle, and then the wind comes along and blows it all away. Most of the time, it kills the mood when you’re out to enjoy the day with frizzy hair. Coconut oil can help your hair maintain its polished look by applying slightly to the frizzy areas. You can also opt to use hair serums with coconut oil in its formula.
Minimize Dandruff
Coconut oil is antimicrobial and can help with dandruff problems. Dandruff is usually a product of shampoo without proper rinsing. Sometimes, you can get them after a hair treatment to keep your hair straight or get a perm. So, to treat your itching and dandruff problems, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil with a low flame on the stove. Make sure you pay close attention to when it liquifies because then, you have to quickly remove it from the stove and apply it to your scalp. Massage gently, let it stay for 30 minutes, and then rinse it with shampoo. There’s no guarantee the coconut oil will completely eradicate all of your dandruff problems, but it can, at least, help lessen it—especially the itching.
Coconut Oil for the Skin
There have been instances when the skin feels dry despite using a good moisturizing soap—this is why we opt to use lotion. But lotions don’t last long, either, because sometimes the skin still dries up. So what else is there to use? There is a growing study of using coconut oil and slathering it on the skin for better results. Some say to apply just a sufficient amount because the oil is high in alkaline. That said, please make sure to consult with your dermatologist about it first before using raw coconut oil on your skin.
Moisturizer
Coconut oil is pretty popular among ladies as a moisturizer. You can apply it in the shower and rinse yourself after a couple of minutes. Consistent coconut oil on your skin in the shower may result in a better feeling on your skin plus smoother like that of a baby’s. Again, please consider that our skins may react differently; hence, applying only a sufficient amount for starters will do. If it feels like your skin is burning or that it’s hot, then look somewhere else for your skin moisturizer. Because if you feel any irritation on your skin after applying the coconut oil, it simply means your bodily fluids are not compatible with the properties of natural coconut oil.
Shaving legs
Aside from using Coconut Oil to moisturize your skin, the oil is also applicable for shaving hair off your legs. The skin-soothing properties coconut oil has will not only help clean your legs from all the hair but make it smoother to the touch, as well. Other products might make your skin greasy a couple of minutes or hours after applying but not coconut oil—especially when it’s unrefined and completely natural.
Massage Oil
Coconut oil is also suitable for massaging purposes. It makes the skin slippery enough for massages and smoother after, even. So, not only do you get to relax, but you also get better skin results!
Eczema Soother
The antimicrobial properties can help soothe eczema and perhaps lessen them even. Make sure to apply a sufficient amount and note the effect it has on your skin. If it feels like it’s burning or that it’s hot, drop the coconut oil, rinse your face gently with soap and look for an alternative. Because if you force to use coconut oil on your skin even when it’s incompatible, it could cause skin breakout and worsen your eczema. Please proceed with caution.
Makeup Remover
You can treat coconut oil as a prime cleanser for your makeup. Make sure to follow up with a gentle soap to rinse the coconut oil from your face, especially since the oil can pull out grease from under your skin.