Coconut oil is used in many natural beauty products for a good reason: It’s naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Coconut oil for skin is an excellent moisturizer, can penetrate hair better than other oils AND it smells amazing.
The best part is you can take advantage of these benefits in the comfort of your very own home without spending a fortune on store-bought products. All you need is raw (and preferably organic) virgin coconut oil.
Here are 10 completely natural DIY beauty tricks with coconut oil!
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Moisturize Hands
It might not be the easiest thing to grease up with when you’re on the go, but at home coconut oil can work wonders on your dried out dishwashing hands. You can get a jar at your local grocery store. TIP: Keep some by the kitchen sink and put a little on after washing your hands to keep them soft! If you cook with coconut oil, you can sub it for butter in baking recipes because it’s solid at room temperature and whenever you’re making cookies you can scoop out a little extra for your hands too.
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Cheekbone Highlighter
Nothing brightens up a tired face like a little highlighter, but you don’t need drugstore products to achieve the same effect. Simply sweep a small amount of organic coconut oil on top of makeup and leave it alone. It looks like your skin but with extra glow which is why many natural makeup brands use it as a base ingredient in their formulas. If you’re looking for a more portable option, try the cult favorite Living Luminizer by RMS Beauty, which has a coconut-oil base and light reflecting pigment.
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Shave Your Legs
Conventional shaving cream is an expensive cocktail of chemicals that you don’t need to get a nice clean shave on your legs or underarms. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is inexpensive, naturally antimicrobial, and smells wonderful. Plus, its skin-soothing properties will leave your legs looking hydrated (but never greasy).
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Deep Conditioner
There’s a reason many conditioners contain coconut oil: It’s better able to penetrate hair (and prevent protein loss) than mineral and sunflower oil, according to research. “I use coconut oil for hair and on my skin for deep conditioning,” says Tasneen Bhatia, MD, an integrative doctor and owner of the Atlanta Center for Holistic and Integrative Medicine. Apply a quarter-size dollop to your hair, comb it, and then pile it into a loose bun. You’ll want to place a soft towel over your pillow or sleep in a shower cap. In the morning, shampoo as usual with a gentle cleanser.
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Remove Eye Makeup
Yes, coconut oil even works on waterproof mascara! Put a little of Organic Coconut Oil on a cotton ball and gently sweep it over your eyes, paying attention to your under-eyes as well. The oil does a great job breaking down waxy, inky eye makeup, and leaves the delicate area hydrated, too. Once you’re done, wash your face as usual.
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Body Moisturizer
A recent animal study found that when applied topically, virgin organic coconut oil for skin can speed up wound healing, and a human study found it to be effective in increasing hydration and reducing water loss in seriously dry skin. Sounds like a recipe for a really good lotion to us! It’s a health-expert favorite, too. Says Wyk: “It smells delicious, is very affordable, and leaves my skin feeling nourished and smooth.”
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Clean Your Face
Because coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, moisturizing and, according to research, great for atopic dermatitis, many women swear by its use as a nighttime moisturizer for their face, too. Try the double-cleansing method: Simply rub the oil in circular motions all over your face and neck, giving yourself a gentle massage as you go. When you’re done, wash off the residue with your favorite cleanser. (If you’re adult-acne prone, avoid this technique unless you know your skin tolerates coconut oil.)
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Add Shine
Smooth a tiny amount of organic coconut oil onto your ends of your hair to add a little shine, or on flyaways if you have dark hair. Remember that just a dab will do – any more than that and your hair might appear greasy.
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Luscious Body Scrub
Here’s a little DIY beauty secret: That store-bought body scrub you save for special occasions? It’s a waste of money. That’s because you can make one yourself with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. To make your own, try melting ½ cup of coconut oil at very low heat. Pour it over 1 cup of brown sugar and stir well. If you have some on hand, add in five drops of your favorite essential oil or some pure vanilla extract for a scrub so fragrant you might just want to eat it.
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Massage Magic
Many store-bought massage oils have either coconut or jojoba oil as their base. Cut out the middleman and go straight to the bottle. It’s slippery, skin-friendly, and coconut oil will moisturize your skin in the process.
Do you use coconut oil as part of your regular beauty routine? Share some of your uses in the comments!