5 Ways You Must Consider Using Coconut Oil For Amazing Beauty Benefits

When it comes to maintaining great skin and hair, we leave no stone unturned. From home remedies to expensive beauty care products, we have all tried something or the other. But did you know that the treasure trove of beauty, coconut oil, is sitting right in your pantry?

On a regular basis, we have all seen coconut oil being used to nourish hair, however, it is great for your entire body from head to toe. Coconut oil is rich in healthy fat, fatty acids like lauric acid and vitamin E; it is therefore a great nutrition source for your whole body. Whether you eat it or apply it, coconut oil works wonders for you.

If you have not yet considered using coconut oil for your regular beauty routine and not just your hair, here are 8 beauty hacks to help you get started...

Body Scrub

The hydrating and anti-oxidant properties of coconut oil make it a great oil base for skin care products. For a hydrating body scrub, you can mix equal parts of coconut oil and any of the exfoliants like ground coffee, sugar or sea salt which are easily available in our kitchen. While the dead skin is gently exfoliated, coconut oil base moisturizes the skin and vitamin E nourishes it for the youthful glow.

Breath Freshener and Detox

The technique used here is called oil-pulling. You can use a teaspoonful of oil and gargle for 20 minutes. After gargling, it is ideal to rinse your mouth well with water before eating or drinking anything. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of the oil help get rid of germs and bad breath. Gargling with coconut oil not only results is clean teeth and fresh breath, they also give you healthy gums.The oil pulling technique is also the natural way to whiten your teeth.

Other benefits of oil pulling have also been seen as a natural detox. It cleanses your body by removing disease promoting toxins from the mouth thus helping the body to heal itself. Cold pressed coconut oil comes highly recommended for oil pulling.

Make-up remover

Coconut oil works great when you want to remove that water-proof mascara or make-up. Just dab a little coconut oil onto your fingertips and use it directly. Once all the make-up is sufficiently melted, you can use a mild face wash to clear out the remaining oil.

Owing to certain detergent like effects, coconut oil makes it easier to remove makeup. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties also make it a safe option for all skin types. However, since a heavily processed coconut oil has the tendency to clog your pores, it is best to used organic oil. Purified, cold pressed oil is best suited for this use.

Lip Scrub

For a quick and gentle lip scrub, mix one tablespoon of coconut oil with one tablespoon of sugar and one tablespoon of honey and apply on your lips. You can leave it on for 5 minutes and then start rubbing it off gently in circular motion. Remember not to rub it in too hard!

While the sugar work for gentle exfoliation, honey and the fatty acids in the coconut oil moisturize your lips. For best results, exfoliating your lips not more than 3 times a week is suggested. This is a great go-to fix for any time of the year.

Cuticle Oil

Massaging the base of your nails with coconut oil helps you get rid of peeling skin and cracked cuticle. It also helps your manicure last longer. Here is how to use coconut oil to soften your cuticles and strengthen your nails. You can start by applying coconut oil directly to your cuticle and massage for a minimum of 30 seconds. Leave it on for as long as possible for better absorption. A regular cuticle massage can help keep your nail beds moisturized. The anti-microbial property of coconut oil also helps prevent any fungal infections. For best results, doing a coconut oil cuticle massage with organic oil for 2 – 4 times a week is recommended.

So, for the next time you find yourself in the middle of a beauty crisis, you can have a jar of coconut stashed in your cupboard for instant rescue!