Know the beauty benefits of coconut oil

When it comes to cosmetics, we think good brands mean quicker results. We don’t think twice before splurging on products that make convincing promises, even if we have absolutely no idea what goes into it (as long as the ingredients sound fancy). Let’s shut out the advertisements, think smart, and go natural. So what’s our star product this week? We’re going old school with some coconut oil. Here are 10 ways you can include it in your beauty routine.

Scalp conditioning – Forget fancy conditioners and scalp treatment oils; treat dry scalp and dandruff with some warm coconut oil. Massage it in and let it soak for at least an hour before washing your hair. If you are looking for a more intensive therapy, you could also wrap your hair in a towel and leave it overnight.

Makeup remover – Face caked with layers of makeup? All you need is some coconut oil and cotton. Put a generous amount of coconut oil on your cotton and simply wipe clean. The best thing about using coconut oil as opposed to other makeup removers is that it actually hydrates the skin and leaves it soft and supple. Just wash off with water - no aggressive scrubbing required.

Lip balm – Nothing works on dried lips like coconut oil. And no, you don’t need to worry about spills as it can retain the perfect semi-solid state in normal temperatures. Store it in a pocket-friendly jar or even your contact lens container so you can carry it around wherever you go. A perfect trick to make the most of lip colour and coconut oil is to scoop out the remaining bits of your lipstick and mix it with coconut oil; you’ll have your very own tinted lip gloss.

Highlighter – Want to achieve the perfect dewy look? Work it with some coconut oil. Take a small amount on your fingertips and sweep it over your cheekbones after you are done with your usual makeup. It’ll look natural, it isn’t harmful to your skin, and it’ll give a beautiful sheen to your cheekbones.

Foundation base – Coconut oil works wonderfully as a primer too. That’s pretty much why a lot of makeup brands even have this secret ingredient in their product. Just that you can skip the other harmful ingredients and go absolutely organic with coconut oil. Take a little on your palms and apply all over your face. Just ensure it’s not a very heavy layer.

Cuticles – Cuticle oils are great; but do you know what else works equally well? Coconut oil, of course. It’s a perfectly inexpensive alternative. Apply it every night and you’ll see a visible difference in no time.

Face and body moisturiser – Applying organic coconut oil regularly can do wonders if you have dry skin. However, if your face is prone to pimples and tends to get oily easily, you might want to skip this method for your face. For those who have combination skin, the best way to go about with coconut oil is to only apply it to the areas that are dry. It’s great for the rest of the body though, especially those dry patches on your elbows or knees.

Makeup brush cleaner – The logic is simple, if it works well to take off makeup from your face, it should work equally well to take off makeup from the brushes and sponges. Simply mix it with a good antibacterial soap and your brushes will be as good as new (and soft too).

Stretch marks – For those of you who’ve lost weight (a little too fast but hey, you’ve shed those pounds so who cares) and are now stuck with those annoying stretch marks, regular application of coconut oil can help fade away those scars.

Oral hygiene – It’s a little strange, but yes, coconut oil can also help maintain good oral hygiene. Oil pulling can decrease plaque buildup and get rid of bad breath. On the other hand, if you’re aiming for those sparkly whites (and want to try an unconventional route) try mixing coconut oil with some baking soda and cinnamon essential oil, and use the paste to brush your teeth. We don’t want to stay how it tastes though.
—[email protected]

Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram
@antarabose and on Facebook (Antara Bose)