Is there anything coconut oil can’t do? It has been hailed a miracle oil and it seems like everyone from celebrities to beauty professionals, yogis to your neighbor is obsessed with the grocery store multitasker. It has been used widely for its many natural health and beauty benefits. Here are a few tips on how to use coconut oil and the real deal on why it is beneficial.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a practice of traditional Ayurvedic medicine from ancient India meant to connect the body, the mind, and spirit with nature. Oil pulling involves ‘swishing’ a tablespoon of coconut oil around in your mouth, which pulls all the toxins along with it. This is beneficial to your oral health and has been linked to a decrease in gingivitis, plaque bacteria, and plaque-induced gingivitis.
Makeup Remover
Having an extensive skincare regime is simply one of those parts of life that many of us put up with – nobody wants grimy makeup stains on their pillow or nasty breakouts on the office photo day. However, removing your makeup does not have to be complicated! Put a little coconut oil on a Q-tip and use it to clean off your mascara and the makeup around your eyes. It will gently cleanse and moisturize and you will avoid waking up in the morning with leftover smears of makeup running down your face.
Face Wash
If you suffer from acne and dry skin, meet your saving grace. Enjoy clear and moisturized skin by substituting your face wash for equal parts coconut oil and baking soda. Mixed together, they make a paste that both exfoliates and heals. Though the idea of using oil on your face if you frequently break out might make you cringe, the combination of using another oil is actually one of the best ways to get rid of the excess sebum your skin naturally produces.
Eat it
Coconut oil can also be eaten! It provides a delicious substitute for butter or margarine, although the World Health Organization recommends avoiding large amounts of any solid fats in your diet. We like to use it in baking – it makes a fluffy cake and a flakey pie crust!
