Coconut oil is becoming one the trendiest beauty ingredients du jour, and for good reason. Aside from being generally easy to get and affordable (seriously, Trader Joe’s sells organic extra virgin coconut oil jars for under $6), it’s lightly fragrant and has a ton of different uses that just might knock out all the other stuff in your beauty closet. Coconut oil is rocking the beauty world because it has lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, as well as properties that make it antimicrobial, antioxidative, antifungal, and antibacterial. LIKE.
Try using some in the following ways for an affordable, spa-quality fix:
1. Deep conditioner for damaged hair. Coconut oil can actually help repair damaged proteins, like those found in overworked hair. Just make sure to rinse with a good, clarifying shampoo so hair isn’t weighed down.
2. Massage oil for anyone with sensitive skin. My good friend Melody turned me on to this trick, and she’s brilliant for it. She’s been using coconut oil for just about everything you can imagine for her 1 year old, her husband, and herself. Since it’s totally natural and chemical-free, it’s safe for the whole family. And, because it’s antimicrobial and anti-everything-else-that’s-bad, it’s perfect for people who suffer from skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
3. Aids digestion and IBS. Those may not sound like beauty issues, but ask any gal all dolled up for a date if she wants to experience gas, bloating, or an emergency trip to the bathroom. Adding even just a teaspoon per day to salad dressings, smoothies, or even baked goods can help keep these issues at bay.
4. Coconut oil naturally kills the herpes virus. Enough said.
5. Use it to treat minor infections and wounds and keep scar tissue from forming.
6. Better teeth. Did you know coconut oil can help aid calcium absorption? Your teeth and bones will thank you!
7. Yeast infections be gone! Coconut oil kills yeast, so try combining it with a traditional yeast infection treatment for a faster, 1-2 punch.
8. Treats dry, flaky skin. If you’re prone to wintertime flaky, scaly skin, try slathering on some coconut oil post-bath or shower. It’ll lock in moisture extra long and cure the issue in no time.
