I'm a huge fan of coconut oil. I have done a lot of research on it and highly recommend reading The Coconut Oil Miracle Despite all the controversy with coconut oil, I highly recommend it. I use it in almost all of my homemade skincare products, I make my own body butter with it, and I oil pull.
Coconut oil has been used for over thousands of years in Polynesia with proven nutritional and cosmetic benefits. The Polynesians are exposed to the sun all day and thanks to coconut oil, they have the most beautiful skin. Coconut oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids which antioxidant properties help fight skin aging. It improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and cellulite. It can even eliminate acne, fungus, and yeast.
Just make sure you buy the right coconut oil, unrefined, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil has been minimally processed and contains a higher nutrient content (refined oil has been deodorized and bleached). Cold-pressed involves pressing the coconut milk out of the coconut meat at low temperatures which preserves the greatest amounts of nutrients (expeller-pressed uses pressure and high temperatures to extract the milk causing a lot of nutrient loss in the process).
Coconut oil is used as the base in all the scrubs I make. You can revert back to my 'why i'm in love with pink Himalayan seat salt' post to find the recipe for my pink Himalayan sea salt face scrub. I also make a really good body scrub that smells like a creamsicle, Orange Creamsicle Sugar Scrub. If you prefer a salt scrub instead of a sugar scrub try this, Coconut Lime Salt Scrub.
I make my own body butter with coconut oil. I have tried several body butter recipes and this one is by far my favorite, Homemade Body Butter. It has only 4 ingredients and super easy to make. Note, I used almond oil (not olive oil) and I added Young Living lemon essential oil. I also threw it in my stand mixer and whipped it on high for about 10 minutes. My skin feels amazing ever since I started using it. I keep it in a mason jar in my shower. I put it on right after I dry off. You will feel slightly greasy after you apply it, but your skin quickly absorbs it. Just remember when using oils, a little bit goes a long way.
Oil pulling is an oral detoxification procedure where you swish coconut oil in your mouth for up to 20 minutes then spit it out. It can help fight gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that cause bad breath. It can also help prevent tooth decay and cavities. My teeth are also noticeably whiter! Oil pulling works by cleaning the oral cavity. The bacteria and toxins in your mouth adhere to the coconut oil and are removed when you spit the mixture out. The process is very easy and should be done first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Take anywhere from a tsp to a tbsp of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Spit the mixture out in the trash as you don't want the oil to ruin your pipes. Brush as normal. I have to admit, when I first started doing this it was brutal. Now it's a no-brainer, I actually put the oil in my mouth right before I get in the shower. I swish it around while i'm in the shower and spit it out when I get out.
