I’ve been changing up my skin care routine a lot this past year. I turned 30, and I’ve noticed some changes happening on my face, so I’m on a mission to find some solutions! I prefer fewer chemicals in the products I slather all over my face, so I tend to lean more toward an around-the-house routine — using natural products easily found in my kitchen. While I was doing research online, coconut oil kept popping up as a miracle worker skin care product, so I decided it was time to give it a try.
Coconut Oil for Skin: Common Uses & Tips for Use
Coconut oil is available in most grocery stores because it’s typically used in cooking, and has been said to help with everything from losing weight to preventing Alzheimer’s when ingested. BUT, did you know it’s even better when used as a skin and hair product? Coconut oil contains all sorts of useful stuff, like saturated fats that retain the skin’s moisture, fatty acids that have strong disinfectant and microbial properties, vitamin E for keeping skin and hair healthy and soft, and even anti-aging properties.
So, what does that mean? You can use coconut oil on everything from cracked lips to dry skin, in place of shaving foam, and even as a makeup remover.
I’ve been experimenting with it as a facial cleanser. I realize it seems counter-intuitive to use oil as a cleaner, but I read about it on some beauty blogs, so I had to try it on my dry, flaky, acne-prone skin. I’ve been using it for three weeks and so far, so good! I feel like it’s been helping to contain my breakouts, plus, I adore that I’m not using any harmful chemicals!
Tips for Using Coconut Oil for Skin Care:
- Make sure you buy the most natural, least processed version as possible. Usually, this means it is “virgin” or “unrefined.” That way, you make sure all the nutrients, and protective ingredients are still in there. I like theTrader Joe’s organic brandpictured above.
- Don’t be alarmed when you get home and the oil is firm to the touch! Coconut oil will harden at room temperature, but take a scoop and place it in your palm. The heat from your hand will liquefy it.
- Coconut oil is very stable and will last at least six months (some brands last much longer) in its packaging. If you find a brand you like, consider buying coconut oil in bulk to save money.
- You can also mix it with essential oils (which is great to use on little kids to lessen the power of the oils) or with sugar and honey for a DIY skin scrub. This coconut oil lip scrub recipe from Honestly WTF is my favorite.
Do you use coconut oil in your daily routine? How do you like it? Let us know in the comments!
Oh, I’m gonna break this out of the kitchen cabinet and give it a go for some beauty hacks. Such a great versatile cure-all product!
I love the Trader Joe’s Coconut oil. I used it for cooking and my for skin care, whatever little I do. Love it. I make my own boadywashes, handwashes and body butters and this is one of the ingredients in them.
Yes!! Coconut oil for everything!! I use it on my hair and also heard it’s a good teeth whitening with oil pulling
I don’t use coconut oil in my regular routine but I have a friend who swears by it. I think it is always better to use natural products anyway.
Yes! I use coconut oil for everything. My friend calls it the peanut butter/ ranch of self care, works on almost anything.
Coconut oil is excellent for so many things. I have a jar in my bathroom and use it often.
Never heard about coconut oil used. Maybe it’s time to try this out. Sounds great!
This is definitely why I love coconut oil! You can use it for a lot of things and not just in the kitchen. Thanks for the tips on which kind to look for!
I love using coconut oil! I love putting it on my acne, bug bites and more! I recently rubbed it into my daughter’s skin where she had a big bruise and it really helped it go away!
I’ve heard so much about using coconut oil for skin care. I never have used it but my skin has been terrible, lately. Next up!
I’ve used coconut oil on my skin, hair, nails, pretty much everywhere! It’s such a versatile oil! I so wish we had a Trader Joe’s near us, my brother shops there all the time. He loves all of their stuff.
Trader Joes Coconut Oil has been a staple in my kitchen and skincare for several years. I really love how versatile it is and how well it works.
I love coconut oil. I use it for my babies and their skin, and just about everything else. i have a couple jars!
Coconut oil is a life saver. You can use it in everything from cookies to putting it in your hair for a conditioning treatment!
I’ve never really used coconut oil for beauty reasons but I have a tub of it in my cupboard so I might have to give it a try x
I have used coconut oil for so much! It is great for diaper rash on babies, and great for dry hair and skin. I also like to use it for oil pulling as it makes my mouth and teeth feel amazing after! The best way though, is to cook popcorn in it! Makes it taste just like the theater.
I love using this coconut oil brand from Trader Joes. I had a friend gift me the bottle when I moved into my new place and I use it for just about everything! I’m currently obsessed with using it on my skin and hair!
I seriously think coconut oil could solve every problem in the world. Thanks for these helpful tips. It also reminded me I need to buy more.
Love coconut oil! I use it in my hair and my skin. I love that there are so many uses for it. Even cooking! It’s so great for your body.
I literally laugh when I think how versatile that product is. Good for you inside and out! I have used it for making beauty products, then turned around a fried a donut in it!
I love coconut oil and the trader joes kind is one of my favorites! We always have it in the house and there are SO many ways it can be used!
I have never used coconut oil before. Honestly, I had no idea it was so versatile. I need to get some 🙂