Go Nuts for Coconuts: Why Coconut Oil is Amazing for Your Hair and Skin

As far as plant-based oils go, coconut oil is considered to easily be one of the best! Found in products ranging from food to deodorant to sunscreen, this natural oil has been praised for its extensive list of beauty and health benefits, including its powerful hydration properties for hair and skin. If you’re looking to learn more about the benefits of coconut oil, especially when it comes to your hair and skin, look no further! This blog is here to introduce you to some of the uses, properties, and powers of this amazing oil!

What is Coconut Oil?

Harvested from the coconut palm tree, coconut oil has been used for thousands of years by traditional cultures for cooking and medicine. But the latest coconut oil craze has come largely from within the beauty, skincare, and wellness industries, all who celebrate the oil for its powerful hydration properties. 

Rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and nourishing nutrients like vitamin E, coconut oil is the ultimate hydrator for your skin and hair. Acids like linoleic acid (aka vitamin F), found in coconut oil, help your skin retain moisture. Coconut oil is also rich in lauric acid, which can be easily absorbed by the scalp and hair. Lauric acid also has nourishing properties that make it perfect for moisturizing your hair, decreasing frizz, and protecting against damage. 

What are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for My Skin?

1. It hydrates skin and reduces dryness, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.
2. It provides a protective barrier, shielding skin from toxins, dirt, and bacteria.
3. It helps reduce skin inflammation, rashes, itching, and irritation. 
4. It can diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines when used regularly. 
5. It leaves your skin smelling fresh, tropical, and sweet!

How Can I Use Coconut Oil for My Skin?

As a Facial Cleanser

Pure coconut oil can be used as a cleanser, depending on your personal skin type. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, meaning it can be known to clog pores. So for those with oily or combination skin, coconut oil may best be used as a spot treatment on areas with dryness rather than an all around cleanser or mask. Yet, for those with dry or normal skin, pure coconut oil can be used as a cleanser. You can do this by:

1. Taking a small amount of oil in your hands and rubbing it gently until it becomes liquified.
2. Cleansing your face for 30 seconds to a minute, as you would with your regular facial cleanser. 
3. When finished cleansing, wet your face gently with a warm damp towel, making sure to remove all the oil. 

As a Moisturizer

Pure coconut oil can act as a replacement for your regular body moisturizer. Simply take a small to medium sized amount of coconut oil and gently rub it all over your body (or just in desired areas.) 

You can also purchase moisturizing products that contain coconut oil, like our bestselling Honeybutter body salve! 

As an Overnight Face Oil

For those less prone to oily skin, coconut oil can also be applied to the face and left overnight, like you would a night cream. Leaving coconut oil on your face overnight can allow the skin time to absorb the oil for additional moisture. You can do this by:

1. Taking a small amount of oil in your hands and rubbing it gently until it becomes liquified.
2. Smoothing the oil onto your face, specifically in areas with dryness or irritation.
3. Using a tissue to gently remove any thick residue from the face. 
4. Leaving a light layer of coconut oil on your face overnight.
5. Gently removing the oil from your face with a warm, damp towel in the morning. 

What are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for My Hair?

1. It helps to reduce protein loss, keeping hair looking young, thick, and healthy. 
2. It’s rich in lauric acid which absorbs easily into the hair shaft and keeps hair moisturized. 
3. It locks in moisture, giving your hair a healthy shine.
4. It enhances scalp health, which helps hair grow thicker, longer, and healthier. 
5. The high fat content helps calm scalp irritation, dryness, and flakiness. 

How Can I Use Coconut Oil for My Hair?

As a Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Shampoo can be known to strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it looking dull, dry, and drab. To prevent this, coconut oil can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment. To do this, simply massage a small amount of coconut oil into your damp hair from root-to-tip before applying your usual shampoo. This will give your hair an extra boost of moisture and shine!

As a Hair Mask 

Coconut oil can be used as a hair mask for sleek and soft hair. You can do this by:

1. Taking a small amount of oil in your hands and rubbing it gently until it becomes liquified.
2. Applying the coconut oil to your dry hair from root-to-tip.
3. Leaving the oil on your hair for 30 minutes and then washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner as you usually would. For extra moisture, you can also leave your hair mask on overnight. Simply wrap your hair in a shower cap before sleeping to prevent the oil from getting on your pillows. When you wake up, shampoo and condition your hair like normal.

As a Scalp Treatment

If your scalp feels dry, itchy, flaky, or in need of a little extra moisture, we recommend using coconut oil as a scalp treatment. Our Lotus hydrating scalp oil, which uses coconut oil as a central ingredient, is the perfect oil for your hair and scalp health. You can use Lotus by:

1. Applying a few drops of oil to your hands. 
2. Parting your hair and running the dropper through the scalp, applying the oil directly on the problem area. 
3. Massaging the oil until it’s absorbed (approx. 1-2 minutes). 
4. Letting it sit for at least 20 minutes before washing it out or leaving it on overnight as a scalp mask.

When it comes to your hair and skin health, coconut oil works like magic! To experience its powerful moisturizing effects for yourself, be sure to check out our Honeybutter balm and Lotus scalp oil, both featuring coconut oil, to help you gain that natural, healthy glow you’ll go coco-nuts for! 

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