5 New Uses for Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is one product I cannot live without at a busy at home mom. I use coconut oil not only for adding healthy fats and great flavor in meals I prepare in my kitchen, but I also use the following 5 tips for DIY Beauty.
I recommend using a cooking grade of Coconut Oil that is Organic, extra-virgin and unrefined. It is a little more expensive, but it is the most natural and least processed and will have more benefits for your health. Your skin will love it…
1) Body Moisturizer
The coconut oil will most likely be firm or more solid in the container, but working with the heat of your hands will soften it. Work with small amounts of the oil and massage into your skin. For more fragrance, you can add a few drops of a pure essential oil such as lavender or another fragrance you like. For added moisturizing, apply immediately after a warm shower before towel drying your skin.
2) Makeup Remover
The easiest and most gentle way to remove stubborn eye and face makeup is with coconut oil. Use one of two ways. One, apply with a cotton ball of pad to the area with pure coconut oil. Use light pressure to wipe away the makeup, and then follow with a facial cleanser. Or, my tip for at home moms is to use your fingers to rub coconut oil all over your face and over eye makeup. Then, wet a wash cloth in warm water from your faucet, wring out and place over your face and let it steam for at least one minute. Using the cloth gently wipe away the oil and makeup to expose beautifully moisturized skin, and no need to follow up with a cleanser!
3) Hair Mask
An easy and inexpensive deep conditioning treatment with one ingredient – Coconut Oil. Best to do this treatment at night. Wash hair with shampoo, then towel dry. Warm a few tablespoons of coconut oil on your stovetop or in a microwave so that it is easy to apply, allow to cool so you can work with your hands and massage all over your hair. Pay special attention to massage the oil into the ends of your hair. Then wrap your hair in a shower cap or with a towel, and sleep overnight. In the morning, unwrap your hair and shampoo the oil out to reveal shiny and silky hair.
4) Mouth Rinse
Coconut oil promotes removal of toxins and inflammation from our body. Your oral health is important and this tip is fantastic for healthy gums, teeth, and breath. Simply take one tablespoon of coconut oil and place in your mouth. Swish it around like you would with a mouthwash and the solid will become a liquid. The longer you can keep swishing, the better health benefits, so start with a few minutes and work up to 10 minutes. I like to do mine while in the shower. Discard in a trash basket, the oil may solidify again and you do not want it to clog your pipes. So, best to throw it out.
5) Shaving Cream
Using coconut oil as a shaving cream allows for a super close shave and added moisturizing benefits for your skin. I recommend shaving outside of the shower because the oil will make your grip around your razor slippery. Wet the skin and apply warmed coconut oil, shave and then wash the skin.
