My Love for Coconut Oil

Guys, I’m not lying when I say I use coconut oil a lot. It’s basically my perfume lol.

I often get asked what I use on my skin because it looks hydrated and soft. The truth is…it is! I truly am a drug store junkie and I’ve tried so many different lotions and body butters. My Wal-Mart trips are never quick even when I intend them to be. I find myself walking down the lotion aisle scoping out new and improved body lotion. I didn’t think of coconut oil until I was reminded by my aunt that she used to use coconut oil on my skin and hair when I was a just a little wee babe. Well, of course it was the best thing she could ever tell me.

So, I went to a natural food store and picked up a small jar of natural virgin coconut oil. I started using it on my skin every night exactly the way I would use a regular body lotion. Yes, it’s much oiler than most lotions because it’s 100% oil, but within 5 minutes the oil is absorbed and what’s left is the softest, healthiest looking and feeling skin! I became obsessed with how it made my skin feel, so I had to go back to the natural food store and buy a larger jar. After finishing the large jar in no time I was on the hunt for a BIG jar of oil. You guessed it, Costco, baby! They have a huuuge jar of oil (Nutiva is the brand) that I’ve literally had for well over 6 months and it’s lasting so long considering how much I use it.

After being obsessed with putting it all over my skin, I started putting it on my hair and nails and had the same amazing results. Healthy, strong, and hydrated hair and nails. Read my tips for a long lasting mani here.  Any hangnails or cracked skin I used to have around my fingernails were cleared up in no time. Some people can’t stand the smell because well, it smells like coconut. In that case I will say add a bit of lotion to it to eliminate the smell, while still treating your skin to some intense moisture. I can honestly say I can’t be without it because lotion just doesn’t give me the same feeling. If I ever decide to take a hot bath, I’ll throw in some coconut oil into the bath water and my skin instantly feels so silky. Not too much though, you don’t want all that coconut oil draining into the drain and clogging it up. It acts as a great shaving cream, too! I hate spending money on shaving cream, I feel like it’s such a waste.

I started to do a hot oil treatment on my hair weekly. Every Sunday I’ll heat up some coconut oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds so it’s warm, section my hair into 4, and apply a generous amount of oil to each section. I really saturate my hair, so I always wear a t-shirt I don’t mind getting oily, and I comb it through once or twice. I wrap my hair in a topknot and let it sit for an hour or so. Sometimes I get distracted and start cleaning my house, fold laundry, watch Netflix, do a quick workout, and completely forget about my hair. So what I intend to only be an hour, turns into half a day. No harm done though, it’s only coconut oil. I’ll rinse my coconutty hair in the shower and follow with shampoo and conditioner. My hair is super dry, so I find the oil adds well needed moisture. On a regular basis I’ll add some coconut oil before I style my hair for the day, but this hot oil treatment I’ll only do once a week. Because pure coconut oil is solidified, you’ll need to scoop some into your hands and rub them together to transform the hard oil into liquidy bliss! For more tips on how to treat your hair right, click here.

Another thing I hate to buy is eye make up remover. I feel like it’s totally overpriced and I use so much of it, that I’m constantly replenishing my stash. Have no fear, coconut oil is here! I started using coconut oil as an eye make-up remover and it works so good. Keep it mind when you’re using it on your eyes you’ll look like a crazy raccoon with two black eyes from the mascara, so you should immediately follow with a rinse using your regular face wash to remove the rest of the makeup off your face. Voila, flawless face!

Aside from using it on my hair, nails and skin, I use it for cooking too. I am no Chopped champion, but whenever I do decide to cook I’ll use a little coconut oil instead of olive or non-stick cooking spray. I find it adds a little flavor and it’s good for you! I’ve definitely tried baking a few times (key word tried) with coconut oil and you can hardly notice the taste in a traditional chocolate chip cookie once you get through the burnt bottoms. Lol, don’t judge me…I tried to warn you!

If you aren’t already on the coconut oil bandwagon, I suggest you hop on. You will end up saving a few dollars in the long run and it’s just an all around amazing product for your every life.

What are some of your own coconut oil uses?

 

Xoxo,

Chia-Sig