15 Surprising Beauty Benefits of Coconut Oil
It's abundantly clear that Hollywood is obsessed with coconut oil: Angelina Jolie starts her day with a teaspoon of it. Emma Stone uses it to take off her makeup. Miranda Kerr puts it in her green tea and swallows a spoonful every morning. Poppy Delevingne uses it as a skin moisturizer before bed. Mindy Kaling slathers it into her hair. Shailene Woodley oil pulls with it (we'll explain later). The list goes on...
And since so many of the world's prettiest people are slathering themselves with the stuff, we decided to get to the bottom of all the ways the wallet-friendly, all-natural oil can make us a little easier on the eyes.
Your Hair
Conditioner: Whether applied at room temperature (as a thicker paste) or heated up , letting your hair soak in coconut oil for a few hours will deep condition your hair and make it look and feel way healthier, as it's rich with vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron.
Anti-Frizz Potion: By lightly finger-combing the oil through your hair from the ears down, it can help tame frizz without making it look greasy-just keep it away from your roots.
Shine Creator: While hair serums can be packed with silicone, unrefined coconut oil will give your hair a natural sheen. Use it as a mask or as an intensive hair conditioner.
Cleaning Machine: As gross as it is to think about, the fact is our scalp and hair have a higher bacterial content than we'd like to acknowledge. Fortunately, coconut oil contains anti-fungal/antibacterial properties that make it serve as a protective barrier.
Dandruff Banisher: The fatty acids in coconut oil make it an ideal solution for damaged and dandruff-prone hair. You can combine it with an essential oil like lavender or rosemary oil to create a thickening and healing shampoo.
Your Skin
Moisturizer: When applied on the face or body, coconut oil works as an all-natural moisturizer that replenishes the skin's natural oils.
Soothing Balm: Whether applied topically or ingested in precise amounts, it helps to minimize outbreaks and irritation.
Anti-Aging Wonder: Filled with antioxidants that ward off free radicals, it'll help slow the aging process while keeping your skin hydrated-making you soft, supple, and glowing.
Cuticle Oil: Not only will the oil strengthen your nails, but it will also help remedy damaged cuticles and help with foot hygiene (it's an anti-fungal).
Your Face
Highlighter: Once you've applied your makeup, use the oil as a cheek highlighter so it can enhance your skin's natural pigments and reflect light.
Makeup Remover: Swiping coconut oil over stubborn mascara and eye makeup will take it right off.
Eye Cream: The delicate skin under the eyes is the first place to show signs of wrinkles or fine lines. Coconut oil's super hydrating properties prevent these wrinkles, while its fatty acids work to reinforce your skin's protective barrier.
Your Smile
Whitener: Oil pulling, which is swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for several minutes, has been found to whiten teeth (Kylie Jenner is a believer).
Decay Fighter: When it comes to appearance, it's not just about the color of your teeth, but also their density over time. Because it's antibacterial, coconut oil helps ward off the plaque buildup that causes tooth decay in the first place.
Lip Moisturizer: Chapped lips are not a good look on anyone. Whether oil pulling or using it as a lip balm, coconut oil nourishes for a pout free of cracks and flakes.
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