Here are 10 uses for coconut oil:
Body Oil
Nourishes skin and makes it smell deliciously tropical. Scoop some oil (you may need to warm it first if it’s solid) onto your skin and watch it melt in an instant.
Hair Mask
Apply a small amount to hair after shampooing, paying particular attention to the ends. Leave on for about five minutes before rinsing. Conditions hair and makes it shine.
Frizz Fighter
Take a small amount of coconut oil and warm between fingers. Work in to the ends of dry hair to control frizz and add some shine.
Lip Balm
Dab it on smackers to soothe, hydrate and provide a protective layer.
Cuticle Softener
Massage a small amount into each cuticle and let it absorb. The coconut oil will strengthen nails and hydrate the delicate skin.
A Sun-Kissed Skin Highlighter
Warm a little between the fingers and dap onto cheekbones, the cupid’s bow and just above the eyebrows to give skin a healthy glow - and a shot of hydration!
Body Scrub
Mix equal amounts (about a half cup) of sea salt and melted coconut oil, then rub the mixture over rough patches to remove dead skin.
Cooking
Coconut oil has many health benefits over other cooking oils, not least that it lowers the GI of other foods. I use mine to stir-fry and saute. It smells strong in the tub, but once cooked it takes on a subtle flavour. But take note: coconut oil is calorific and high in saturated fats (a whopping 90%!).
Healing
It has greater healing properties than any other dietary oil (source: Coconut Research Centre). It reduces inflammation and supports tissue repair.
Oil Pulling
Use it as a mouth wash - swish a tablespoon in your mouth for 10-20 minutes. Coconut oil is the best oil for pulling as 50% of its fat is lauric acid, known for its ability to kill bacteria.
Kick Start Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil
I was recently sent a tub of this to try. It’s a very high quality coconut oil. For a start it’s cold pressed, meaning no heat was involved in its extraction, keeping the oil pure. It’s made from coconut palms on the west coast of Sri Lanka, which are grown using traditional farming methods and no pesticides. It has not been hydrogenated, bleached, refined or deodorised.
The Kick Start oil is solid and needs storing in a cool place – I keep mine in the fridge. You do, therefore, need to plan ahead and get it warmed up before using (trying to scoop it out of the tub solid is very tricky, as I discovered).
A 920g tub costs £19 (plus £4 p+p) and it can be bought here.
Post contains PR samples
Coconut Pic Credit Alex Masters.
