Making the switch to natural beauty products? Great decision for your skin! Not so great for your bank account. Replacing every single beauty product in your collection does not come cheap. Avoid breaking the bank by investing in natural products with multiple uses! Organic, extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil is one of my favorite natural multipurpose products. Look good without the harsh chemicals. Keep reading for my top 10 favorite ways to add coconut oil to your beauty routine.
- Hair mask
Prone to dry ends? Revive your locks with a little coconut oil! It moisturizes and penetrates the hair shaft to help reduce protein loss. Apply some to the ends of your hair and let it work its magic overnight. Wash your hair in the morning and enjoy the silky, soft results.
- Shaving
Commercial shaving creams are often packed full of harmful chemicals like TEA and DEA. Coconut oil is a great natural alternative. Ever notice your shaving foam doesn’t last very long? A little bit of coconut oil goes a much longer way and it leaves your legs feeling even smoother. My legs feel so soft after shaving with coconut oil, I typically skip moisturizing after. Perfect if you suffer from dry skin!
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- Makeup Remover
Coconut oil is super effective as a natural makeup remover. Massage it into your skin and watch as the layers of foundation and powder melt away in an instant. Guilty of overdoing it with the mascara? A little bit of coconut oil works wonders on stubborn waterproof eye makeup. I use it to remove my makeup every day and it doesn’t sting my eyes at all!
- Eyelash and Eyebrow Growth
Waterproof liner and mascara can take its toll on your eyelashes. Over time the build-up of the product leads to weaker, shorter lashes. Coconut oil (especially when enriched with vatika) is linked to hair growth. Help repair your lashes by lathering a little bit of coconut oil on them every night. Coconut oil is also great if you’re a bit too pluck-happy with your brows (guilty as charged!). Smooth some over the sparse areas of your eyebrows at night to help them grow back.
- Makeup Brush Cleaner
Do you clean your makeup brushes regularly? Let’s be honest… most of us don’t wash them enough! Start routinely cleaning your brushes to prevent a buildup of bacteria on your skin. Sometimes brush cleanser can leave your once-gentle bristles hard and scratchy. Use a natural cleaner and follow up with a little bit of coconut oil to keep your brushes soft and fluffy.
- Treat Eczema
While cleaning your brushes can prevent new skin issues, coconut oil helps treat existing ones. Some take the position that you shouldn’t use coconut oil on your face at all! Although coconut oil contains some antimicrobial acne-treating ingredients, it is also comedogenic. It can sit on top of the skin and cause acne breakouts for some skin types. However, generally, experts agree that it can work well for those with eczema and dry skin. One 2014 study examined the impact of topically applied virgin coconut oil on the severity of eczema (atopic dermatitis). Coconut oil was more effective than mineral oil at diminishing the severity of eczema. After 8 weeks, 47% of patients who applied coconut oil moderately improved their eczema, while 46% reached the level of excellent improvement. Another academic study compared virgin olive oil with virgin coconut oil as treatments for eczema. Coconut oil was significantly more effective than olive oil at reducing the severity of eczema (based on the SCORAD index) after 4 weeks of treatment. Give it a try if you have dry or eczema-prone skin!
- Teeth Whitening
Commercial peroxide-based teeth whitening products can cause tooth sensitivity and irritation. Want a brighter smile without the risks? Try oil pulling! Swish a tablespoon of coconut oil around your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Dispose of the oil in the trash when you’re finished (spitting into the sink can clog the drain). The benefits of oil pulling don’t stop at whiter teeth. It kills bad breath, treats mouth disorders, and even helps to stop the spread of malignant tumors!
- Lip balm
Prone to dry, cracked lips in the winter? Store-bought lip balms are often full of toxic ingredients. Coconut oil can work wonders as a lip balm! Try to make your own at home for smoother lips without any of the harsh chemicals.
- Deodorant
Conventional chemical-laden deodorants are commonly associated with certain cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. This link is somewhat disputed, but why take the risk when you don’t have to? Opt for a natural deodorant to stay fresh instead! Coconut oil is a great addition to any natural deodorant because of its antimicrobial nature. Look for one with added coconut oil at the store, or make your own deodorant at home.
- Foot treatment
Whether you’re rushing around at work all day or stumbling in heels on a night out, a busy lifestyle can take its toll on your feet. Need a cure for cracked, dry soles? Lather on some coconut oil! Pop on some cosy socks for a couple of hours and let the oil work its moisturizing magic. Coconut oil can also tackle more serious foot problems. The MCFA in coconut oil helps to attack yeasts and fungus – including Athlete’s foot. Those are my top 10 coconut oil beauty hacks. Let me know which one is your favorite down in the comments!
Author Bio:
Laura shares beauty tips & tricks, reviews products, and evaluates academic research related to makeup at Makeupscholar.com. She is a recent MSc. Economics graduate, and has been obsessed with all things makeup and beauty related for over 10 years!
Using of coconut oil in beauty routine is best option. I use it daily before go to bed and it is a great moisturizer and makeup remover which provide a clear, fresh and smooth skin.