Coconut oil benefits

There’s a good reason why coconut oil is getting lots of attention lately. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties are only part of the beauty world buzz. Where coconut oil really earns praise is in its moisturizing benefits on hair and skin. It penetrates hair better than other oils, and hydrates skin ever so gently.

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We’ve come across lots of recommendations for coconut oil, including use as:

Eye makeup remover – gently removes mascara better than chemical concoctions and hydrates the delicate skin where lines and wrinkles first appear

Cuticle potion for fingers and toes – the emollient properties keep cuticles soft and helps nails from becoming brittle (oh, and the anti-fungal nature may help keep that nasty bacteria from taking root)

Massage oil – slow absorption time allows longer lubrication for all over hydration

Hair conditioner – as a pre-treatment before washing to make hair healthy and happy. Simply, get a palm full of coconut oil (the heat of your hand will turn it from solid to liquid), apply it evenly over your hair from root to ends and cover with a shower cap. You can apply heat (with a blow dryer, or spend some time outside in warm, sunny climate) to open the cuticle of each hair strand so the coconut oil can penetrate faster. Leave the coconut oil on your hair for 20- 30 minutes, then, wash with a natural shampoo. Rinse well.

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Soaps and Lotions – Soapmakers like us love coconut oil because of the high lauric fatty acid content that makes quick, voluminous soap lather, and we're impressed with its solubility even in hard water. We use it as a major component in our handcrafted ACEQUIA line of natural liquid soaps and body washes because we know coconut oil moisturizes and softens skin as it gently cleans. Liquid and bar soaps made with coconut oil can be a body’s best friend.

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So where do you purchase coconut oil to create your own body treatments? Trek over to a natural food grocer and pick it up in the grocery aisle where oils or bulk products are sold. It’s far less expensive here that in the beauty section. You don’t want to pick up something that looks like a liquid oil. Pure coconut oil will not look like oil at all. It is an opaque solid at temperatures above 76 degrees.

About the Author
Deborah Sibley is 'la savonnier' and president of Capistrano Soap Company, maker of the all-natural ACEQUIA® Bath and Body Collection. The company’s eco-luxe, chemical-free product line is handcrafted from nature’s most emollient-rich, skin-quenching ingredients by a third generation of soapmaking artisans. The luxury line includes: Natural Castile Soap, Luxe Body Wash and Skin Nourishment Lotion – products that nourish skin and come delicately scented in six signature fragrances. Find out more online at www.capistranosoap.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capistranosoap.