Coconut Oil: My Favorite Moisturizer

Have you jumped on the coconut oil bandwagon yet? I have and I have no intention of ever getting off!  I LOVE it.  It seems everywhere I turn people are talking about the health benefits of coconut oil.  From baking with it to rinsing your hair with it, this versatile oil is the latest trend in superfoods.

While I do occasionally cook with it, I personally use it more often in my bathroom.   I started using coconut oil as a moisturizer for my face and body a few years ago and I am completely hooked.  No more expensive creams for me!  I’m telling you, this stuff is like gold, but costs only pennies.

I can’t promise it will work as well for you as it does for me (everyone’s skin is different), but if you’d like to give it a try here are a few reasons why I believe coconut oil is a better option for skincare than commercial products:

• Commercial moisturizers contain a lot of water, which makes you feel like your skin is being moisturized.  As soon as the water dries, your skin becomes dry again.
• Most commercial brands contain petroleum-based ingredients that make it very difficult for the skin to breathe. In contrast, coconut oil provides real moisture, strengthening underlying tissues and removing dead cells on the skin’s surface.
• Your skin is your largest organ and a portion of what you put on it gets absorbed into your bloodstream.  I personally love knowing that I’m using a pure ingredient on my skin every day.  I invest so much time and effort putting natural food into my body, I might as well put something natural onto my body as well.

I like to think of the coconut oil as food for my skin.  After I shower, I simply massage it into my face and body.  Coconut oil does not have to be refrigerated, so it can sit right on your bathroom counter or in your medicine cabinet.  If the temperature in the room stays below 76 degrees Fahrenheit it will solidify.

Just scoop out a little with your fingers (make sure your hands are clean) and it will immediately melt from the heat of your hands.  It goes on a bit greasy, but soaks in quickly. Remember, a little goes a long way. I tend to use more during the dry winter months.  During the summer, if I stay well hydrated and eat plenty of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids I barely need any at all.

Due to the oil’s growing popularity, you can find it easily in almost any major grocery store.  I use Dr. Bronner’s Coconut Oil, but there are a lot of good ones out there.  Just be sure it’s extra virgin and has not been hydrogenated, bleached, refined or deodorized.

Tip: If you are going out, be sure to pull your hair back when applying the oil and wash your hands afterwards.  If the oil gets into your hair, it can look greasy. Also, wait a few minutes to allow the oil to soak in completely before getting dressed to avoid staining your clothes.

So, what do you think?  Would you consider using coconut oil on your skin? Have you tried other oils?  I have a friend who swears by avocado oil.

P.S.  Dab a little coconut oil on a cotton ball and use it as your eye make-up remover.  It works better than any brand I’ve ever used and is gentle and moisturizing on the tender skin around the eyes.