Pour That Oil On Me: Benefits of Coconut Oil

Anyone who knows me, knows how picky I am about ingredients…not just in food, but in the skincare and hygiene products my kids and I use.  Too many ingredients = bad.  

Ingredients that are unrecognizable and sound lab-created? No, thank you.  Thankfully, it’s getting easier to find all natural alternatives for practically everything now.  While some stuff can be cost prohibitive, others, like coconut oil, are very affordable and worth every penny!  

So, let me tell you why I love coconut oil, and why every square inch of my body does too!

With consumers becoming more and more aware of the chemicals in their environment and what side effects they may have, many people are starting to turn to healthier alternatives, not only in their diets, but in the products they choose to use on their bodies.

Our skin absorbs everything we put on it, that’s why making sure to avoid chemicals and toxins in our skincare products is essential.  Absolutely kills me how corporations can get away with putting carcinogenic and hormone disrupting ingredients in almost everything that we put on our faces, bodies, and scalps.  

Even products aimed for infants and children!  It’s criminal really….but I’ll stop ranting because then the Cuban will come out in me and we don’t need fire around coconut oil!

Coconut oil has become super on-trend the past few years, but in reality its been used forever as a healing salve and to keep skin and hair healthy.  

The reason this oil is so coveted and has been used by many beauty industry insiders is that its so easily absorbed into the skin and has no chemical components or side effects.  

Coconut oil is an extremely effective moisturizer because it contains a high content of saturated and unsaturated fats that easily penetrate the skin and nourish it from the inside out. It’s also full of beneficial antioxidants which fend off harmful free radicals and help skin retain its elasticity.  

Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your tea or coffee also aids in protecting your skin’s moisture levels from the inside out. Not only does this oil benefit skin that is already healthy, but many dermatologists in Europe also recommend patients suffering from psoriasis and eczema to use the oil on the affected areas in order to calm the itching and inflammation.

Applying coconut oil when you’ve just stepped out of the shower and your skin is still a little damp is another wonderful tip for ensuring all over moisture. I like doing this after showering at night and right before going to bed….because it can make your clothes a little grease-stained… not the best if you’re showering in the morning and heading out for the day!

Doing a full body coconut oil slather at night though lets all of the nutrients absorb into your skin overnight, gets you smelling like you’re on vacation in the Caribbean….and you get to wake up with glowy, soft skin!

Coconut oil has also become very popular in the past few years with the advent of Bulletproof Coffee and paleo cooking. It smells great, it works, it’s relatively inexpensive….and despite its current popularity, has actually been used for generations in many cultures to promote health inside and out.

I always keep a jar at home, and while I’m a traditionalist and like using olive oil and grassfed butter in my cooking, the coconut oil goes all over the rest of me. Chapped lips? Coconut oil. Cut or abrasion? Coconut oil. Avoiding stretch marks on my belly during pregnancy? Coconut oil (although I know there is a genetic component to not getting them…giving your skin extra elasticity doesn’t hurt!). Healthier, brighter smile/teeth? Coconut oil. Natural make-up remover? Coconut oil.

Lots of uses, right?

So just pour some oil on me.….actually I’ll take care of that….but go ahead and pour some on yourself! Fountain of youth and healthy skin in a jar. You can thank me later!

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Header photo by Birgith Roosipuu @unsplash