Coconuts are easily one of the most versatile of all fruits. They can be eaten soft or hard, drunk or made into oil and even its tree is used for many purposes. Besides, being valued for its nutritious benefits, they are extremely healthy for skin and hair care too. So, let’s look at some benefits that will drive you ‘coco’nuts:
Hair Care
Coconut oil deeply nourishes your hair. It provides protein, helps in regrowth as well as eliminates dandruff. All you have to do is warm it up slightly and apply it to the roots of your hair.
Pro tip: Leave the oil overnight for the best results or at least for a few hours.
Skin Care
Coconut seeps through many layers to moisturise your skin. Coconut oil massages not only feel heavenly but also leave a soft and supple texture afterward.
Pro tip: If the oil is too sticky for your liking, then a moisturiser with a coconut base is good too.
Conditioner
Coconut oil is a great conditioner too and can also be applied after a hair wash. The oil as a conditioner gives the hair shine and quality that is unbeatable.
Pro tip: Use fragranced coconut oil if you don’t like the smell of the pure one, but keep in mind that pure is always better.
Oral Hygiene
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice for oral care. It has found increasing acceptance and popularity among the youth and celebrities. Oil pulling is supposed to be done early in the morning on an empty stomach. Take a tablespoon of edible coconut oil in your mouth and roll it around for about 15 minutes and then spit it into the dustbin. You can brush your teeth after this.
Oil pulling helps whiten teeth, fight bacteria, sensitivity, pain, and other dental issues.
Caution:
Do not swallow it.
Don’t spit it into the basin, else it may clog your drains.
Fun fact: Anushka Sharma oil pulls every morning and swears by it.
Makeup Remover
Coconut oil is as great a makeup remover as micellar and much more nourishing for the skin.
Caution: Avoid if you have oily skin.
Scrub
You can make a scrub with coconut sugar by mixing it with ghee, coconut oil, or olive oil and rubbing it on your face as well as lips to exfoliate it. Rinse it off with warm water and pat your face and lips dry with a soft towel.
Toner
Consumption of coconut water has several benefits, but so does applying it to your face. You can soak coconut water in a cotton ball and dab it across your face or fill it up in a spray bottle to spray it across your face and neck. Coconut water hydrates your skin and protects it against bacteria.
So, go on and get healthy the coconut way!
(Contributed by Deblina Munshi)