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Is your hair dead or frizzy? Does your body need cleansing from all the grease you’ve been eating? Do you have dry skin? Well, if you follow any inspirational health or beauty gurus on YouTube, read any fitness blogs, or have perused through the Internet for natural alternatives, then you’ve probably already seen coconut oil being described as the magic beauty elixir of life.

Although coconuts have typically been thought of as a refreshing, tropical drink you can sip on as you lounge under the summer sun, today the trendy coconut is heralded for its versatility. It can be used all over your hair, skin, and body and is even delicious to eat. For those of you looking to reap the health benefits of coconut oil, here are some ways you can start:

1 USE COCONUT OIL WHILE COOKING.

According to Wellness Mama, there are endless health benefits to using coconut oil in your cuisine. You can use it for baking, for stir-fry meals, or even as a dairy-free alternative to butter. Wellness Mama also suggests adding coconut oil to food and drinks for energy. In fact, you can even add coconut oil into your coffee as a substitute for creamer. According to Dr. Axe, coconut oil is healthy for your body because it contains the medium-chain fatty acids caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid. These acids are easier to digest than long-chain fatty acids in plant-based oils and they are also antimicrobial, antifungal, and not readily stored as fat in the body.

2 USE COCONUT OIL AS A BODY OIL.

Coconut oil is also fantastic as a moisturizing lotion all over your skin. Because of its creamy texture, it helps moisturizes the skin while also giving you a “light, tropical scent that lingers after it’s applied.”  Applying it after a warm shower will allow the oil to sink into the skin. According to Organic Facts, coconut oil is rich in vitamin-E, a common skincare ingredient that is essential for healthy skin growth, repair, and smoothness.

3 USE COCONUT OIL AS YOUR LIP BALM.

If you’re tired of your traditional cherry ChapStick, then opt for some coconut oil instead. Organic Facts writes that because coconut oil is rich in many proteins, “these proteins keep skin healthy and rejuvenated, both internally and externally.” The proteins help with tissue repair. Not only that but Organic Facts warns that when you apply chemical lip gels to your lips, it’s possible to accidentally consume these gels. So, in order to avoid consuming chemicals, coconut oil is a healthy alternative that provides additional benefits to your body if digested.

4 USE COCONUT OIL FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

According to Yahoo! Beauty, coconut oil can be used as a supplement to weight loss. Because of the medium-chain fatty acids discussed earlier, coconut oil can help support weight loss by “stimulating the burning of fat for energy.” According to the article, some animal researchers have also suggested that coconut oil may even help control cravings and overeating.

5 USE COCONUT OIL FOR FACIAL CARE.

Coconut oil is not only a moisturizer for your face, it is also a great makeup remover and under-eye cream. According to Allure, cosmetic chemist Joseph Cincotta says that coconut oil “solubilizes or breaks up water-resistant substances used in eye shadow and mascara, releasing them from skin and lashes.” Using a makeup remover as effective as coconut oil will help you avoid tugging on the delicate skin around your eyes. In addition, because it is soothing for your skin, applying it under your eyes will help brighten your face and moisturize. Allure, however, warns that you should avoid getting the oil in your eyes because it can “temporarily blur your vision.”

6 USE COCONUT OIL TO DE-FRIZZ YOUR HAIR.

Coconut oil can also be used as a hair mask, warmed into an oil treatment, or even in other homemade hair products. According to Dr. Axe, dry and brittle hair typically comes from dehydrated hair. Water helps keep the entire body hydrated, but since coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and has antiviral and antifungal properties, it can improve scalp health, support hair growth, and add volume and shine without added harmful chemicals. Dr. Axe writes that many hair products contain coconut oil because of its benefits, but they also contain other damaging ingredients. So, in order to rehydrate your hair without extra chemicals, use coconut oil as a conditioner in and out of the shower.

As Yahoo! Beauty says, coconut oil can be used for “an overall wellness boost.” This natural ingredient can be used all over the body in order to positively impact your health. Because it is rich in good fat, nutrients, and natural ingredients, it is not only safe to swallow, it is also safe for even the most sensitive skins. Yahoo! Beauty does warn, however, that it is important to choose unrefined, virgin coconut oil. According to the website, refined coconut oil has already been processed, “thereby destroying many of the oil’s powerful healing properties.”

Edited by Ellena Kilgallon
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