Coconut Beauty Products I Love & DIY Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Rich, creamy coconut is not just for adding to your muffin or your brownie recipes!  Although, coconut has always been one of my favorite foods since I can remember, eating it is certainly not the only way to bring some sweet, toasty coconut into your day.  The aroma evokes warm summer days at the beach and vacations on tropical islands far away.  When a fragrance makes you feel this good, I say slather it on! Here are my current favorites in the coo-coo for coconuts beauty department. They are all wonderfully scented and luxurious!

Coconut Shower Cream by The Body Shop

Start off your day by filling your shower or bath with the aroma of a great, coconut shower gel.  This creamy, soap-free body cleanser is made with coconuts from Community Fair Trade virgin, coconut oil from Samoa.  According to the label, ” Farmers hand-select each coconut, pressing the pure white flesh by hand to retain the purity and skin-softening nutrients in the oil.”  Formulated for normal/dry skin, the only thing left behind will be soft skin without any dryness whatsoever. Not overly sweet, perfectly scented.  Of course The Body Shop is known for being cruelty-free, compassionate to the planet and supportive of fair trade. As they say, “Beauty With Heart.”

Virgin Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion by Alaffia

Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion by Alaffia has the most unique fragrance I have ever smelled!  After I first tested it on my arms, I went crazy smelling myself trying to figure out what it reminded me of.  The mixture of coconut and lemongrass feels very Thai to me even though the ingredients come from Togo, West Africa.  The company of Alaffia stands for “Advancing Gender Equality and Alleviating Poverty through the Fair Trade of Hand Crafted Shea Butter.” They are involved in many community projects that benefit women and poverty-stricken West Africa. The lotion is very emollient and absorbs quickly and leaves softness and a wonderful aroma. The website would be of interest to anyone who wants to know how purchasing a product translates directly to improving lives! Alaffia offers many skin care items with various scents and I’m going to try more in the future.

Coconut Body Butter by Trader Joe’s

“Luxurious body butter made with Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E.”  Even though this thick, creamy butter contains many unpronouncable ingredients, it goes on smoothly with a divine, coconut fragrance. I would recommend saving this butter for the driest of areas, like elbows, heels and hands.  It’s tempting to slather it all over because of it’s “luxurious” richness! I keep it next to the sink so I can smooth some on after loading the dishwasher.  It seems to stay on well after getting wet and is labeled cruelty-free.

Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter by Pacifica

“A warm blend of sultry fresh Coconut, delicate Vanilla and creamy Vetiver.”  Since I’m a big fan of Pacifica products, I always keep this in my purse to moisturize during the day, usually slathering it on my hands in the car during a red light. The fragrance also comes in a shower gel, perfumes, candles and even reed room diffusers. I want it all!! The packaging design is beautiful to behold.  A visit to the website is mandatory just because I want you to see all there is to experience at Pacifica! Everything begins with a  myriad of fragrances and explodes into fabulous product collections from there. Free of parabens, phalates, propylene glycol, mineral and peanut oils, artificial color and “much more.” A portion of their proceeds support clean water and they are committed to reducing their impact on the environment and supporting local charities.

Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Yes, if this looks like an ingredient you’d put in recipes, you’d be right—but it can also be used for many DIY beauty products that are so easy and are as simple as dabbing it on. I have literally moved the jar from the kitchen to my bathroom because I am using it so often in my daily beauty routine. Cold-pressed, organic, unrefined and pesticide-free, the coconutty aroma is wonderfully light. Nutiva is a company that is values-driven: sustainable non-GMO products and fair trade practices that “supports the long-term well-being of humanity as a whole”.

DIY Ways to Use Coconut Oil in Your Beauty Routine

1)  Apply a dab to cracked heels and dry elbows

2)  Rub a dab between your palms and rub it through the ends of your hair as a moisturizer and heat protectant

3)  Use on your cuticles to moisturize between manicures (especially before you go to  bed)

4)  Remove eye makeup by dabbing a small amount around eyes, using a warm washcloth to remove makeup and residual oil

5)  Smooth it all over your legs before showering. When in shower, apply your usual shave gel and get the silkiest shave ever.

6) Mix with sea salt or sugar to make a wonderful body scrub

7) For a dry scalp, massage into the entire scalp and let sit for a few minutes before shampooing.

8) Fabulous as a lip balm, great tasting too!

9) Deep condition your hair by rubbing it through your hair and wearing a plastic shower cap so your body heat helps it penetrate

According to the website, She’s A Vegan, coconut oil prevents and helps treats lice, is a pore minimizer, prevents wrinkles, minimizes dark spots, and has antimicrobial and antifungal  properties that help with rashes, eczema and psoriasis.

For a great and super-easy to make:  DIY Coconut Oil Face Wash by Vegan Housewives

Enjoy bringing coconut into your beauty routine!  Let me know how you like it and if you have any other interesting and beautiful ways to use this natural, vegan and luxurious product!

xoxo Ellen