One Product & ELEVEN Uses – The Beauty Benefits Of Coconut Oil!

This story was updated in February 2019. Coconuts are probably my most favourite tropical fruit. One of the benefits of growing up in a coastal city like Mumbai is the plethora of coconuts available. There are coconut trees everywhere and coconut vendors everywhere. A nice tall glass of chilled coconut water followed by a bowl full of sweet, coconut cream has been the way I start my morning for years. But that’s not all that coconuts are known for. If you grew up in India, you would definitely know that coconut oil has been used in Indian households for centuries. Coconut Oil For Hair Coconut Oil For Skin Health Benefit Of Coconut Oil Beauty Benefit Coconut Oil Products Our grandmothers and mothers always sat us down and gave us that head-oil massage, or what we fondly call as champi. Ever wonder why they forced you to sit down as often as they could? Everything they did, indeed did have a reason. Coconut oil is a wonderful deep conditioning agent for the hair, skin and body. It has numerous benefits and it’s full of fats, antioxidants, and minerals that are essential nutrients. Coconut oil whether consumed or applied topically has benefits that are unparalleled.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has multiple benefits depending on the way you use it. It’s a natural moisturiser, it heals, softens and nourishes the hair and skin. It is also beneficial for your health when consumed orally. Read on to know about the various benefits of coconut oil for hair, skin and health.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Hair

Coconut oil when applied to your hair works as a deep conditioning treatment. It helps soften, nourish and protect your hair. A few of the other benefits are:

• Deep conditions your hair and scalp
• Softens the hair
• Adds shine
• Prevents hair loss
• Minimizes breakage
• Promotes blood circulation
• Strengthens the hair
• Reduces split ends
• Reverses hair damage
• Reduces dandruff
• Soothes a dry scalp
• Heals scalp infections

All in all, with regular use, coconut oil improves the overall quality and texture of your hair and scalp.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Skin

Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser for dry skin. It’s rich texture forms a hydrating layer over your skin and makes sure that there is no moisture loss. This means that your skin will stay soft and supple, all day long. Coconut oil has antifungal, antibacterial properties making it the perfect moisturiser even for your face. Moreover, the linoleic and lauric acid present in coconut oil makes it a great ingredient for anti-aging. Use it all over your skin and your hair to reap all of its benefits. Here are some of the benefits of coconut oil for skin:

• Is useful in treating skin infections
• Softens skin
• Heals scars
• Keeps skin looking younger and firmer
• Has anti-aging properties
• Great all-over body massage oil
• Speeds up the healing process
• Soothes rashes
• Antifungal and antibacterial

There’s more than one way you can use coconut oil for your skin. Here are a few different uses of coconut oil :

• As an alternative to shaving cream
• As a body moisturiser
• As a night cream
• As makeup remover
• As lip balm
• As cuticle cream
• As a face cleanser

Uses Of Coconut Oil For Health

Coconut oil is used in many states in Southern India for cooking. It contains a combination of fatty acids that no other oil does. It has about 90% of saturated fatty acids and a very high burning point. This makes it the ideal choice for deep frying and cooking at higher temperatures. However since there’s about 40% of fat content present in coconut oil, there are contradicting opinions whether or not one should be using it for cooking daily. More recently, coconut oil has gained popularity due to the ‘Keto’ diet plan. There is however not enough evidence, however, to say for sure that coconut oil is bad for you, neither to say that it’s good for you.

Beauty Uses Of Coconut Oil

All of us Indian girls know only too well the power of a good coconut oil champi for our mane, but did you know that coconut oil has so many other astonishing beauty benefits too?! It’s packed with antifungal and antibacterial properties and works as a perfect moisturizer for your delicate skin.

As A Lip Balm For Plump Lips

If you suffer from perpetually chapped lips, you might want to try giving coconut oil a shot! It hydrates your pucker and moisturizes it at the same time. Before you step out, apply it on your lips. You can even apply a drop of coconut oil on your lips before applying any kind of lipstick. It will ensure that your lips stay soft and supple under that ultra matte lipstick!

Use It As A Massage Oil

Why invest in a massage oil when you have some coconut oil at home, right? You can either microwave the oil for 15 seconds or heat it in a pan for half a minute. Also, feel free to add few drops of peppermint or lavender oil to it as it adds to the fragrance and makes the massage experience much richer. Use this warm oil to give yourself a massage or make a premade batch and store it in your washroom. Apply a few drops of this oil to wet skin and massage it in throughly. Let your body air dry naturally. Your skin will be soft and absolutely radiant all day long.

The Best Toothpaste Alternative!

Are you out of toothpaste? Don’t step out to buy a new tube just yet! You can make one at home. Mix a bit of coconut oil with baking soda or charcoal powder and you have a homemade toothpaste at your disposal. It will cleanse, brighten and whiten your teeth while getting rid of any bacteria. You definitely have to try it to believe it! If you have sensitive teeth and gums, skip the baking soda as it might cause your gums to bleed a little.

It Fights Bad Breath Like A Pro!

For healthier gums, stronger teeth and fresher breath, coconut oil can make all of those dreams come true. It has antibacterial properties that fight germs and bad breath. Rinse your mouth with a tablespoon of coconut oil. You want to gargle with it for a few minutes and let it do its job. This is also known as oil pulling, it will get rid of all the toxins in your body too.

Prolong Your Manicure

Coconut oil works as a great cuticle oil. Clean out an old nail polish bottle and fill it up with coconut oil instead. Store it at your desk for easy application. Apply a little bit to your cuticles during the day or the night and massage it in. It will soften your cuticles, prolong the life of your manicure and prevent your nails from breaking. The massage will also make sure that your nails grow stronger and faster.

It’s Your New Makeup Remover!

Every night, I personally use coconut oil to remove my makeup. It removes absolutely every last trace of waterproof mascara too. You can use it with your hands or pour some on a cotton pad. I prefer taking a few spoonfuls on the palm of my hands and massaging my skin with it. After you massage it in for a minute, use a baby wipe to cleanse off all your makeup. Follow this up with a mild face wash and towel dry your face. Don’t forget to moisturise.  

No More Stretch Marks *Yay*

For women who are going to become moms very soon, coconut oil helps clarify, soothe, heal and moisturize skin during pregnancy as well as helps ward off stretch marks. It should be applied once in the morning and once at night. Even if you aren’t expecting and yet have stretch marks, coconut oil will help your skin too. It will lighten and improve the appearance of stretch marks making them a little less visible over time.

It’s Better Than Your Regular Shaving Gel

There’s no need to buy shaving gel any more. Coconut oil works far better than most shaving creams and it has absolutely no chemicals! Slather your body with a generous amount of coconut oil just before you’re going to shave. The coconut oil is going to help the razor glide across your skin to give you the smoothest, closest shave. After you’re done, rinse with warm water and your skin will be as soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom.

A Fabulous Body Oil

To be honest, body oils are quite expensive in the market. Don’t invest in one just yet ‘coz coconut oil does the same job. Just after you finish your shower, apply it on damp skin and pat dry after. Did you also know that it acts as a natural SPF 4? Yes, it protects your skin from mild sun exposure. That sounds pretty great now, doesn’t it?  

Hello Glowy Skin

Ladies, it’s time to replace your night cream with good ol’ coconut oil. Did you know that coconut oil has moisturizing benefits and is loaded with antioxidants that will keep the fine lines and wrinkles at bay? Apply a few drops of coconut oil before you sleep or mix some in with your moisturiser and apply. You’ll be waking up to glowing skin the next morning and with regular use, it will fade all your fine lines and wrinkles while making your skin look plump and glowy.

Tried Using It As A Cheekbone Highlighter?

Forgot to carry highlighter? Use coconut oil instead. A drop of coconut oil will do the trick to give you that Korean beauty favourite, glassy skin! Use it to add a hint of glamour to your face and cheekbones. It helps create an illusion of brighter, fuller and firmer cheeks. Once you’re done applying your makeup, sweep a drop of coconut oil over the top of it to give your cheeks a radiant, glowy finish.    Images: Shutterstock

Best Coconut Oil Products In India

When you’re buying coconut oil, there are many options you can choose from. Some bottles can be used on the hair, skin and even for cooking and some types are designed specifically for your hair and body. Make sure you read the label properly. As a general rule while shopping for any kind of oils, the organic cold-pressed variety will make sure that you’re getting quality product with all the nutrients intact. Here are some great options for you to choose from.

1. Organic India Virgin Coconut Oil 

This coconut oil is extracted using the cold-pressed method which means that it’s not only organic but all it’s nutrients are also intact. You can safely use it to cook or incorporate it into your skincare routine. Price: Rs 667, Buy it here.

2. Parachute Coconut Oil

If you’re looking for a hair oil, there’s nothing better than good ol’ Parachute coconut oil. Whether you’re looking for a small bottle or a big one, you can find it in multiple sizes at your local grocery store. Apply some of this to your hair and leave it on overnight. Wake up and wash your hair with a mild shampoo and you won’t be disappointed. Price: Rs 220, Buy it here

3. Coco Soul Cold Pressed Natural Virgin Coconut Oil 

This is another virgin, cold-pressed bottle of coconut oil. It comes in a plastic bottle making it a little easier to handle and store. You can use this one on your skin and hair and use it to cook too! Price: Rs 210, Buy it here

4. Kama Ayurveda Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil 

If you’re a fan of Ayurvedic beauty products, this coconut oil from Kama Ayurveda is the perfect choice for a hair and body oil. Use it for your body and head massage sessions, and you’ll be glowing from head to toe. If you want to use this as a body moisturiser, apply a few drops after your shower on wet skin. Price: Rs 650, Buy it here

Read More –

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Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair in Hindi