Coconut Oil – What’s All The Fuss About?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll no doubt have been hearing from everyone how great coconut oil is. It has a number of uses, thanks to its medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil, to you and I) which increase metabolism, brain function, thyroid regulation and can also help with diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

We thought we’d look at the main beauty uses of coconut oil and try to work out what’s myth and what actually works, so that you can maximise the usefulness of your stash.

Calming the Frizz

Coconut oil is usually sold as a solid bar, but has a very low melting point, so will usually turn to liquid in your hand. Many people use it as an intensive conditioner for the hair and, we have to say, this is one thing we like coconut oil for. It’s almost like a conditioner and a serum in one and it really did noticeably smooth out our locks, although it takes rather a lot of rinsing after application to make sure you don’t end up with hair like Ross from Friends!

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling, in case you aren’t up to speed, is a natural alternative to tooth-brushing and involves swishing the oil around your mouth for 5-10 minutes, twice a day. The theory is that the oil removes plaque and bacteria, whilst whitening the teeth and is actually a fairly ancient method of oral hygiene. Extensive studies, however, have been largely inconclusive at proving the effectiveness of oil pulling, and without putting too fine a point on it, the whole process is fairly gag-worthy. We’ll be sticking to our Colgate for the foreseeable future!

Moisturiser

Applying coconut oil to the skin has been proven to offer moisturising properties and many people swear by it. Having said that, it can be tricky to apply without ending up looking like you’ve got stuck in an oil slick and if you aren’t a fan of the smell of coconut, then it might not be the best body oil for you. For a more straightforward approach, try Decleor Nourishing Body Milk, which has a velvety, creamy texture for a pleasant all-over feel and moisturises deeply to reduce discomfort, tightness and roughness.

Lip Balm

While we might not be a fan of covering our whole selves in coconut oil, it does work surprisingly well as a lip balm. The delicate coconut scent and flavour aren’t overwhelming and are far more of an olfactory treat than the industrial-smelling petroleum jelly products around. Try repurposing an old Vaseline tin for keeping a lip-balm sized pot in your handbag for repeat applications.

Do you have any other tried-and-tested uses for coconut oil, or are you simply sick of the latest beauty fad to take over? Let us know in the comments below.