Using Coconut Oil to Soften Your Hair and Skin

I love using coconut oil as a way to soften my hair and skin. It is all natural, easy to use and a great product all around to have handy.

It is one of Earth's natural beauty products and more. You can apply it directly on your hair and skin, cook with it, or my favorite, use it in a variety of wonderful homemade beauty products.

It is no wonder many brands and products contain coconut oil; it works. The best part - you don't have to buy all sorts of products to get the benefits of coconut oil. All you have to do is buy a jar of it. From there using coconut oil can be as simple or involved as you wish with no sacrifice of its wonderful benefits.

Without getting overcomplicated or bogged down in language here is a simplified, broken down version of what is present in coconut oil that is great for our hair and skin-

1. Lauric/Caprilyc/Capric Acids - These are three fatty acids that act as anti-microbial and strong disinfectants.

2. Saturated Fats - Helps to keep the moisture locked in and the skin or scalp smooth to the touch.

3. Vitamin E - A well known vitamin that keeps, among other things, hair and skin healthy.

4. Proteins - Coconut oil is rich in proteins that assist in keeping us healthy both inside and out.

An interesting thing to know about coconut oil, it is solid in form. In order to make it easier to use, it must first be heated.

This is not very complicated and depending on where you live, if it is naturally warm enough just set it in the sun.

Otherwise you can melt directly in a saucepan, use the double boiler method or even microwave it for a short bit.

There a few ways in which you can easily use coconut oil to get softer, healthier hair. It is as easy as using it in your shower routine, or giving yourself a deep conditioning treatment.

It is a good idea if you keep the coconut oil that you will use in the shower in a non-glass container. It is a nightmare if you drop a glass bottle in the shower.

In the Shower

After you have washed your hair apply the coconut oil to your hair, paying extra close attention to the ends of your hair. This will help prevent split ends and heal dry or damaged hair. If you have naturally oily hair, as I do, you do not need to apply the oil to your scalp. However for those with dry scalps definitely rub it into well all over.

Let it sit for about 5-10 mins while it works its magic and than rinse.

If you really want a good shot of healthy nutrients to your hair you can also use coconut oil as a leave in conditioner with the extra added benefit of it doubling as a styling product.

Apply the coconut oil to your wet hair, a lot is not required, work it through all the way to the ends and leave it in until your next shower. Your hair will smell wonderful without being too overpowering and you now also have a built in styling product.

Because coconut oil in its natural form is solid, as your hair drys the coconut oil with begin to harden. However, it does not become chunky or visible in your hair, rather it acts more like a mousse or a gel. The best part is it won't damage your hair like other styling products and it doesn't leave a sticky or greasy residue.

If you are looking to do a really good deep conditioning on your hair you can also use coconut oil. In this great video she shows you how to give your hair that extra special treatment. And you only need two ingredients!

Got Dandruff?

Coconut oil not only conditions your hair but gets rid of dry, itchy scalps that cause dandruff. I personally have never had an issue with dandruff however, a friend of mine did.

I recommended they try applying coconut oil to their scalp as it will help balance the natural oils of their skin to get rid of the dandruff. The results were almost immediate, after using it for two days their dandruff was completely gone and they no longer had a dry scalp.

So while I cannot say I have used it myself for this issue I can honestly say I witnessed first hand coconut oil works at getting rid of dandruff. My friend still applies it directly onto their scalp about once week and no longer has a dandruff problem.

The use of coconut oil on your hair is also believed to prevent hair loss and graying.

There a few ways in which one can use coconut oil for softer skin. There are also other benefits of using it on your skin- it can reduce the aging process, help clear up acne and assist with eczema.

Apply Directly To The Skin-

It is very easy to apply coconut oil directly to your skin especially for extremely dry areas such as the feet and hands.

It is not necessary to preheat the oil however it is a personal preference. It is possible to simply heat it up in the palms of your hands, allowing it to melt and rubbing it directly onto or into your area of choice, including the face.

For use on the face, be sure to first wash and dry than apply sparingly as a little does go a long way. Pat it around the corners of your eyes if desired.

Another option is to put it on a cotton pad, or cloth first than apply to your skin.

During the wintertime when skin can crack more easily, using coconut oil is fantastic. Many people who work out doors, or garden often love using coconut oil to keep their hands soft.

If you prefer a lotion or body butter over that of using straight coconut oil there are many products available that contain it as one of their main ingredients. However, to get the most out of its benefits it is best to use products that are natural and not full of chemicals.

If you enjoy making your own homemade body care products coconut oil is the perfect ingredient. They are fairly easy to make and make great gifts too.

Using a good coconut oil body butter is amazing, your skin gets the proper moisturizing without that greasy left over residue. Works great for after shaving too to calm the skin. Here is a great DIY coconut oil body butter recipe.

Body scrubs are wonderful for that extra exfoliation and really easy to make. Combine that with the added benefits of coconut oil as an ingredient and your skin feels heavenly. Clean, soft and silky.