A natural moisturizer for skin, hair, and nails
Keeping a tub of coconut oil in your kitchen seems like a reasonable choice—it’s versatile for cooking with a rich tropical flavor and medium-chain triglycerides for energy and brain health. But how about keeping a tub of coconut oil in your bathroom? You might be surprised to learn that this popular cooking oil can be used for all kinds of beauty hacks, improving your skin, hair, nails, and more.
This is because those same medium-chain fatty acids that make coconut oil so good for metabolic and cognitive health are good for reducing what’s known as transepidermal water loss, when water passes through your skin and evaporates, leaving your skin looking (and feeling) dried out. These same fats will also moisturize and strengthen your hair follicles, and your fingernails and toenails. Doctors at Penn Medicine and Cleveland Clinic also note that coconut oil’s lauric acid is antimicrobial, so it reduces any bacteria (and any corresponding inflammation or infection) naturally.
Ready to swap out some of your expensive beauty products for a more natural alternative? Here are eight ways you can use coconut oil for an overall more vibrant appearance:
- Replace your daily moisturizer with a small amount of coconut oil. Apply a pea-sized dollop to your skin to lock in moisture and improve your skin’s elasticity. Use sparingly, because too much coconut oil will leave you feeling greasy and can even block pores. If you have naturally oily skin, lighten up the coconut oil by mixing it with a small amount of aloe vera.
- Use coconut oil in place of conditioner in the shower. The oil penetrates your hair shafts and reduces protein loss for stronger follicles while treating your scalp to ease dandruff or dryness.
- Coconut oil can break down waterproof makeup without being harsh on skin. Remove your makeup by massaging a small amount onto your skin and wiping it away with a warm, damp cloth.
- Swish a small amount of coconut oil around in your mouth to reduce bacteria and freshen your breath without an alcohol-based mouthwash.
- The skin under our eyes is especially delicate and prone to dryness. You can reduce fine lines and hydrate this sensitive part of your face by applying a small amount of coconut oil to your undereyes every night before bed.
- Tame hair frizz and flyaway hairs (while boosting your hair’s shininess) by applying a small around of coconut oil to your fingertips and running it through your hair, then combing through for even distribution. This works best for curly or thick hair, as fine hair may get weighed down and look greasy with too much coconut oil.
- Massage coconut oil into your cuticles to soften them and heal cracked fingernails—it works just as well on toenails, too.
- Avoid razor burn by using coconut oil in place of shaving cream. Apply a thin layer to damp skin for a smooth glide and reduced risk of stubble, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Just take care to rinse the razor frequently so you avoid oil buildup.
