Let’s say you’ve gone shopping with your mother and grandma, and you spot a beautiful dress in a shop! You go to your mom and show her the dress. Your mom finds it okay. Not too great! You still have hope and go to your grandmother, and she finds the dress appalling. She hates it!
Well, this scenario is just one example of how perspectives and preferences change from one generation to the other. However, there are a few things that never lose their charm and value, and coconut oil is one of them.
Your mom used it, her mom used it, her mom’s mom used it, and the chain goes on! And here you are, wondering whether you should include it in your beauty routine, too! Well, the answer is a big YES!
The many benefits of coconut oil make it an excellent addition to your beauty routine! However, before we tell you about the benefits of this beauty gem, let’s look at who it is best suited for!
Who Should Use Coconut Oil?
While there are many benefits of coconut oil for skin and hair, it is not the best choice for everyone. People with oily skin should avoid using it as it can clog pores and result in pimples, blackheads, and other types of acne. It is excellent for people with normal to dry skin (lucky ones). It is also suitable for sensitive and mature skin. Similarly, it can really elevate your hair game if you have a dry scalp. However, if you have an oily scalp, using coconut oil could make your hair more oily and greasier. Instead, you can use olive oil for hair.
5 Reasons Coconut Oil is A Must-Have in Your Beauty Routine
There are few ingredients in this world that have benefits for both skin and hair. So, any product that can be used for both skin care and hair care is considered nothing less than a blessing in the beauty world.
Coconut oil is one such blessing that has been passed down from one generation to the other owing to its many benefits.
Here are a few benefits of coconut oil for hair and skin:
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Moisturises
Coconut oil is made up of saturated fatty acids and works as a natural oil-based moisturiser for dry and cracked skin. Using coconut oil on face helps strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and retain moisture.
Its hydrating properties can help soothe dry scalp that results from the lack of moisture and can increase the risk of hair breakage. You can also use coconut oil for dandruff and treating itchiness on the scalp.
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Soothes inflammation
Another reason why you should use coconut oil for dry skin is because it is anti-inflammatory. Rashes, itchiness, and irritation are common for people with dry skin. Coconut oil has a calming effect on the skin and can help reduce redness and inflammation. It can also help heal wounds and infections faster.
You can also experience itchiness and inflammation on a dry scalp. It can feel uncomfortable and eventually lead to hair problems. Massaging the scalp and hair with coconut oil regularly can help soothe scalp inflammation.
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Tames frizzy hair
Your hair cuticles are generally open. However, too much use of hot water, humid weather, and chemical hair products can cause your cuticles to open, leading to moisture loss. To compensate for this loss, your cuticles absorb moisture from the surroundings and swell up, resulting in frizzy & unmanageable hair.
You can use coconut oil for frizzy hair. It helps seal hair cuticles and prevent moisture loss, thereby controlling frizz. It also adds shine to your hair and makes it soft & smooth.
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Reduces wrinkles
Antioxidants can help you fight early signs of ageing, like fine lines and wrinkles. And guess what? Coconut oil contains vitamin E, a natural antioxidant. Regular use of coconut oil for face can help reduce wrinkles and fine lines and also even out your skin tone.
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Heals dry & chapped lips
When it comes to dryness, the skin on the lips is the most vulnerable as it is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your skin. When your lips are hydrated & moisturised, they look plump, soft, and smooth. On the other hand, when dehydrated, lips can become chapped and start to peel off. Chapped lips can even feel painful sometimes.
Because of its moisturising properties, you can use coconut oil for lips as a natural lip balm. You can simply apply the oil on your laps and dab gently with your fingers. You can repeat this process several times a day, as you would with any other lip balm.
Adding coconut oil to your beauty routine can help keep your skin and hair beautiful. However, there is one thing that you must be mindgful of. To get the best results, you should prefer cold-pressed coconut oil over the refined version.
Why Should You Choose Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil?
Refined oils are extracted by subjecting dried coconut kernels to heat and chemicals. This results in the loss of most of its nutritional properties. On the other hand, cold-pressed coconut oil is extracted without heat or any chemical treatments and has high nutritional value. Hence, to get the most out of the benefits mentioned above, you should use cold-pressed coconut oil in your beauty routine.
Wrapping Up
With a history of use over generations for various skin and hair problems, coconut oil would make a great addition to your natural beauty routine. It is an easy & effective way to keep your skin and hair healthy & gorgeous.
