Amongst the most commonly found oils in the household pantry, in the South Asian region, coconut oil takes a spot somewhere at the top. Coconut oil has been a staple in a beauty routine and even in foods for a long time and our ancestors made sure to incorporate it into their lives as the benefits of coconut oil are quite a few.
Coconut oil is extracted from the drupe; coconut that is found on the palm/coconut trees, often found nearby sea area. This oil is highly dependent on temperature to remain in its liquid state and is often solidified at cool temperatures and needs to be warmed up for usage. Since it is readily available and it offers many benefits in addition to its beautiful and soothing natural fragrance, it has often been perceived as something magical though that is not the case as per some beauty gurus.
People use coconut oil primarily for their hair and skin, though it has several other benefits as well. Let us discuss the benefits of coconut oil in detail.
Here's Some Coconutty Goodness For You!
Use For Hair Care
Coconut oil for hair is really good. Oiling your hair before a shower encourages good blood circulation in your scalp which in turn, allows your hair to stay healthy. But that is not all, Coconut oil also provides so many other benefits to the hair. Coconut oil can trap the moisture inside your hair strands, thus making it softer and less prone to breakage that comes with frizzy, dry hair. This also imparts a lovely shine to the hair as they appear healthy. Simply, take some slightly warm coconut oil as per your hair’s texture and density, and apply it to your hair. Oil application to your hair should be done in small sections so every strand is equally nourished. It is also recommended to comb your hair after oiling to ensure even distribution of the oil from roots to tips. Leave it on for 1-2 hours or overnight and wash your hair as usual. The best results can be seen after frequent usage.
Use As A Cleanser
Coconut oil can be used as a makeup cleanser since it contains saturated fatty acids which can break down even the most stubborn of your makeup. Long lasting makeup products are made to withstand water/sweat so they’re extremely hard to take off. This is where your coconut oil that’s been lying in your pantry can come in super handy. Just take a small amount and rub it on your face gently to break down the makeup into smaller pieces that can be washed away. It is important to take a little amount only as coconut oil can be comedogenic and can choke your skin if left on the skin for a longer duration in an excessive amount. One benefit of using coconut oil on the skin is that it prevents the overly drying of your skin and keeps it moisturized, since it doesn’t strip your skin off, it is not irritating on your skin and keeps it nice and plump.
Use As A Moisturizer
The use of coconut oil as a moisturizer is debatable amongst many dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts. Ultimately, everyone agrees that coconut oil can be used on the skin as a moisturizer if needed, but it should be done on slightly damp skin so it is absorbed in the skin properly. Coconut oil can be comedogenic if it sits on your skin and isn’t absorbed all the way in and can cause your skin to choke, which makes it prone to breakouts and such skin conditions. Also, if it is not absorbed properly, it can cause extreme dryness and rough patches on the skin. This in turn can be more damaging for your skin ultimately. But if used correctly, coconut oil can serve its purpose as a moisturizer.
Use As A Lip Balm
What is one thing that is extremely important and noticeable, yet people don’t focus on it the most? Your lips. Yes, people generally don’t focus on adding a lip balm in their skincare routine. This ignorance results in chapped, dried, and cracked lips that are oftentimes painful as well. It is important to keep your lips moisturized with something lightweight and convenient that can replenish the plump look of your lips. Since coconut oil has a lot of benefits for the skin, it can be used as a balm on your lips as well as it serves the purpose very well. Apply a small amount of coconut oil on your lips with your finger or a cotton pad and gently rub it on your lips to moisturize them. This will protect your lips whilst adding a nice shine/luster to them. Moreover, coconut oil can be ingested without any problem as it isn’t damaging to your health so you can easily use it on your lips.
For Exfoliating DIY Masks/Scrubs
There is nothing more satisfying than a concoction meant just for you. A certain level of comfort revolves around DIY skincare masks since it is something you whip up yourself for yourself. Knowing where your ingredients are coming from, and how much you’re using is always a great feeling. But what truly is the best feature of a DIY mask/scrub is the fact that it is super convenient to make since everything is always available in your pantry. Coconut oil is also one such ingredient that is always there somewhere on your shelves, waiting to serve its purpose. A great exfoliating DIY mask can be made from coffee grounds/ sugar and coconut oil. Coconut oil serves as a great buffer to minimize the harsh effect from the ingredients that are meant for scrubbing whilst moisturizing your skin simultaneously. This scrub mask can be used to smooth out any dry skin and add some freshness to dull skin.
