Coconut Oil Benefits_ The Expert’s Extraordinary Guide

2. Facial Moisturizer: Use coconut oil to soften and moisturize dry, rough or damaged skin. The fatty acids found in coconut oil help to smooth wrinkles and shrink pores. Because of its anti-bacterial properties that help to reduce skin inflammation, coconut oil is even a good option for sensitive and acne prone skin.

Start by using coconut oil as a face moisturizer before going to bed. Apply after cleanser and serum.

3. Coconut Oil Cleansing Method: The basic idea of using coconut oil as a cleanser is to use natural oils

“The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores.”

Step I: Combine Coconut Oil with Castor Oil. Castor Oil is naturally astringent, so it helps remove impurities from the skin (ideal for oily or combination skin)

Step II: Apply a quarter-sized amount to your hand and massage onto the face (don’t wet skin first).

Step III: Wet a washcloth with warm water and place over your face. The steam will help to separate the oil from the skin. Wipe the excess oil away and leave the remaining oil as a face moisturizer.

Don’t take our word though on the benefits of oil cleansing. Here are before and afters photos from Alex Raye of Almost Exactly using the oil cleansing method.

4. Hydrating Body Cream: Use as a replacement for body lotion. Rub in hands to warm up and focus on dry spots such as the knees and elbows to alleviate itchy, flaky, skin.

Bonus: Try a DIY whipped coconut oil body butter recipe with ingredients such as Shea Butter and other nourishing essentials oils that feel like heaven for your dry skin.

5. Repair Dry, Damaged Hair: Because of coconut oil’s high content of lauric acid, coconut oil is able to bind to your hair and reinforce the hair fibers, thus strengthening your locks and preventing breakage. Coconut oil is also extremely beneficial to chemically treated hair and damaged hair.

For dandruff, the anti-fungal properties of lauric acid are also to fight off Malassezia globosa, a yeast-like fungus that is responsible for dandruff.

Start by massaging coconut oil into the scalp and strands 1-2 times per week, leaving it on for 15-30 minutes, and then shampooing/conditioning as normal. You’ll be amazed at how much smoother and healthier your hair looks and feels.

6. Activates Hair Growth:  An added benefit of using coconut oil on your hair and scalp is a boost in natural hair growth. By massaging coconut oil on the scalp, the vitamins and minerals are able to boost blood circulation in the scalp and stimulate hair growth.

7. Lip Protection: Use coconut Oil as the base in a simple, DIY homemade lip balm. When used on the lips, coconut oil can act as a natural SPF and protect the lips from environmental pollution.

Bonus: DIY Vanilla Homemade Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. Beeswax
• 2 tbsp. Shea Butter
• 2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
• 20 Drops Vanilla Essential Oil

Directions: In a small pot, melt the shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil over low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture is transparent.

Remove the pot from heat and add 20 drops of vanilla essential oil. Mix to distribute the essential oil throughout the mixture.

Pour the mixture into the lip balm tubes or tins. Let cool for 2-3 hours. Enjoy!

8. Homemade Deodorant: Why use a coconut oil based deodorant? There have been numerous studies throughout the years linking aluminum based antiperspirants to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Bonus: Simple, Homemade Deodorant Recipe

Ingredients: