Coconut oil — you may have a jar of it in your kitchen, or at the very least, you've heard a friend rave about how much better it works than drug-store body lotion. However, coconut oil is so much more multifaceted than a great moisturizer. You can incorporate it into your daily life to help with everything from your oral hygiene to your makeup routine – the natural way.
Check out some of its most popular uses:
1. Slowing down the process of premature gray hair
Some people swear by antioxidant-rich coconut oil to help prevent the premature graying of hair. Just how might this work? Strands of hair turn silver when the proteins responsible for the pigment in hair follicles start to die. Organic Authority describes a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science that determined coconut oil "decreased protein loss in hair, whether the hair was already damaged or not."
Some people swear by antioxidant-rich coconut oil to help prevent the premature graying of hair. Just how might this work? Strands of hair turn silver when the proteins responsible for the pigment in hair follicles start to die. Organic Authority describes a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science that determined coconut oil "decreased protein loss in hair, whether the hair was already damaged or not."
Advertisement
Organic Authority recommends giving this method a shot by massaging coconut oil into your scalp 10 to 15 minutes per day and says some people claim to have returned grey hairs to their original color.
2. Melting away makeup
Rather than tug at the skin on your face with a makeup remover wipe, dissolve even the stubbornest mascara using coconut oil instead. Not only is this gentler on your skin (especially around your delicate eye areas), but it's more eco-friendly, too.
Rather than tug at the skin on your face with a makeup remover wipe, dissolve even the stubbornest mascara using coconut oil instead. Not only is this gentler on your skin (especially around your delicate eye areas), but it's more eco-friendly, too.
3. Healing your cuticles
According to Marie Claire, coconut oil not only moisturizes and strengthens cuticles but also helps heal dry, cracked ones — you can thank its antifungal properties for that added benefit.
According to Marie Claire, coconut oil not only moisturizes and strengthens cuticles but also helps heal dry, cracked ones — you can thank its antifungal properties for that added benefit.
4. Freshening your breath
Popsugar recommends oil pulling — or the act of swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 20 minutes — to freshen your breath. Coconut oil's nifty antibacterial properties help extract odor-causing germs stuff from your mouth. This may also even whiten your teeth.
Popsugar recommends oil pulling — or the act of swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 20 minutes — to freshen your breath. Coconut oil's nifty antibacterial properties help extract odor-causing germs stuff from your mouth. This may also even whiten your teeth.
A couple of additional benefits, as pointed out by Allure, include:
5. Body scrub
Coconut oil can be used as an exfoliator -- Just combine half a cup of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of coarse salt/sugar.
Coconut oil can be used as an exfoliator -- Just combine half a cup of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of coarse salt/sugar.
6. Dandruff treatment
Allure recommends to rub coconut oil on the roots of your hair for dandruff relief.
Allure recommends to rub coconut oil on the roots of your hair for dandruff relief.
7. Make your own natural deodorant
Wellness Mama has an excellent recipe for a natural deodorant using these ingredients: coconut oil, baking soda, shea butter, arrowroot (optional) and essential oils (optional).
Wellness Mama has an excellent recipe for a natural deodorant using these ingredients: coconut oil, baking soda, shea butter, arrowroot (optional) and essential oils (optional).
8. Make your own toothpaste
Family Sponge has a DIY recipe for making your own toothpaste. Just mix coconut oil with baking soda and some drops of essential oils.
Family Sponge has a DIY recipe for making your own toothpaste. Just mix coconut oil with baking soda and some drops of essential oils.
9. Body oil
Forget buying separate oils. Save your money! Allure states, "Just slather it on wet skin after the shower, then pat dry. You'll smell like a beach vacation all day. Plus, it has a natural SPF 4."
Forget buying separate oils. Save your money! Allure states, "Just slather it on wet skin after the shower, then pat dry. You'll smell like a beach vacation all day. Plus, it has a natural SPF 4."
Advertisement
Do you incorporate coconut oil into your beauty routine home? Tell us how in the comments and make sure to SHARE if you found these tips helpful!