The Wonders Of Coconut Oil

I'm a huge fan of natural products that don't irritate my skin and also of multi use products. The holy grail for me is coconut oil. Retailing at around £8 for 500ml from everywhere from your local health food shop, supermarket or online it's pretty easy to get your hands on and since it's in solid form and melts at body temperature between your fingers it really does last quite a while. I use coconut oil for quite a lot of things (although not nearly as much as it could be used for) and a jar this size lasts me about two months. So, the beauty perks.

Since this is 100% natural it's very gentle on the skin and you can use it as a make up remover, even on the eyes. It works well as a cleanser, a body moisturiser, a massage oil, is great for scars and dry skin and leaves a glorious tropical scent behind that lingers and warms up a chilly day.

It's fantastic as a hair treatment and serum too. As a hair treatment shampoo your hair as normal and apply this generously to the mid-lengths and ends making sure to cover each hair individually by combing through with your fingers or a wide tooth comb. Put your hair up into some cling film and leave for at least thirty minutes but preferably overnight. You'll have to shampoo this out thoroughly but it's completely worth the little extra time in the shower as my dry, damaged hair is left feeling almost normal the next morning. I use this as a hair treatment twice a week and wash my hair three to four times a week but if your hair isn't in as dire condition once a week would be fine. As a hair serum take a small amount between your fingertips and gently smooth down any flyways after styling.

If you're worried about your hair or skin looking greasy after using this, if you use a small amount and build it up you shouldn't be. Once it's washed away it just leaves a healthy sheen and if you avoid your roots there shouldn't be that lank look after using it on your hair either. There are hundreds of recipes using coconut oil both as a replacement for oil or butter or in the food themselves, some of which I'm hoping to try soon. It's great as a base oil in a scrub too (just add sugar for exfoliation) and is gentle enough to use on the face, body and lips.

Do you use coconut oil or another oil as part of your beauty regime?