Forget fancy packaging and golden promises of eternal youth. If your bathroom cabinet is full of half-empty creams and potions that profess to be the fountain of youth, it could be time to give those (usually poisonous) potions the ol’ heave ho.
Skin is really a portrait for what’s going on inside your bod, so no matter how much gloop we slather over ourselves in the hope for a quick fix, nothing will change unless what we’re putting in our mouth is healthy. Once the diet is under control, the oil aisle of your local supermarket may become your best beauty pal. It’s definitely mine!
I gave up using traditional moisturisers years ago, and switched to extra virgin coconut oil. It’s great as a hair masque and body moisturiser from top-to-toe. Plus you can eat it. I never put anything on my skin that I can’t eat (ie it has to be from nature). With the skin being the body’s largest organ, chemical-laden moisturisers that you slather on the outside, end up on the inside. With that in mind it’s little wonder so many people suffer from toxic overload (which manifests as diseases such as cancer).
Many Asian countries and island nations have used extra virgin coconut oil for eons. It’s antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It also protects the skin from excess sun exposure and wards off bacteria and fungal infections, while strengthening and softening hair. It also cools and calms. I’ve never known a fancy man-made moisturiser that could promise and deliver those results…
My fave organic coconut oil, from Nature’s Way
I use coconut oil as a moisturiser (and general-purpose skin healer) too! amazing stuff, and so cheap compared with ‘official’ skin creams.
What do you use as a cleanser? I’d love to stop using skin care products and will definitely give this a try as a moisturizer. I’m already using organic vegan paraben free stuff from Faith In Nature but it’d be great to just use completely naturally edible items!
Love your blog! I check it each day and there’s always something interesting to ponder
love this post! i live in coconut oil too. i bathe in it every night and slather it on every day. plus, my dog LOVES it. i give him a tablespoon each night. we both love coconut oil.
Hey Vanessa! Thanks for reading my lil blog
So glad you’re finding some info useful!
I forgot to mention coconut oil also makes for a perfect eye make-up remover. The BEST.
I had to really think when you asked what I use as a cleanser! Coconut oil tends to remove all of my make-up at night. I then use a wet flannel to get any excess off. Most mornings I use baking soda mixed with a little bit of water to make a paste, and use that as a face scrub. Be sure to go gently with it. Scrubbing too hard might leave you a little sore and sorry! So for me, that’s about it. Keeping things simple, I find, is the key. If you’re using natural mineral make-up, it’s less stressful for your skin and easier to remove (and you don’t need to worry about chemicals sitting on your skin all day).
Good luck trying the coconut oil. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Isn’t it just the best! I love the stuff. It’s great in smoothies too. YUM!
So true Alice, it’s like around $8 or less. Such a beauty bargain!! Every girl (and guy) should know about it.
Thank you!
Well now that I know your facial cleansing routine I’m going to continue to be incredibly nosey and ask what you use instead of shampoo if you use this as a conditioner as well?
I found some extra virgin coconut oil this morning and I’m excited to try it out!
Lol. Not nosey at all! I also use baking soda to wash my hair (it doesn’t foam up, but doesn’t need to), followed up with a herbal conditioner from Uniquely Organic. It contains only natural ingredients — It’s as close to nature as I’ve been able to find in a manmade product. Regardless, I only use it on the ends of my hair (not on the scalp).
It’s called Uniquely Organic Rosemary Conditioner (made in Australia) and contains Purified Water, Coco Betaine, Ethoxylated Vegetable Coconut Oil, Vegetable Cocoamide, Sodium Chloride, Organic Herbal blend of Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Nettle and Organic Chamomile, Citric Acid and Vitamin E, Methlisothiazoline (Preservative), Rosemary Oil.
You can check it out in more detail here: http://www.organicbeautyworld.com.au/zensc/uniquely-organic-rosemary-shampoo-510ml-p-353.html
I’m still on the lookout for a vegan conditioner that’s straight from the kitchen cupboard though!
Hi! I love your blog. It is filled with so much great information. Thank you!
I wasn’t sure if it would be too greasy.
I am always looking for all natural products that work, so I am looking forward to trying coconut oil. Do you actually use it on your face too? It sounds like you do, but I wanted to be sure.
Also, you mentioned looking for a conditioner. I don’t have a home made recipe but I found a honey coconut shampoo and conditioner at 100% pure and they are preservative free and all natural. You may want to check them out. I believe the website is: http://www.100percentpure.com They also have a skin care line and makeup.
Thanks again! Have a great day!
Thanks so much Tammy
I love sharing all the bits & pieces and am so glad you’re finding some of it useful!
Re coconut oil, yep, I definitely use it on my face. In fact it’s the only thing I use on my face to moisturise (although I have used extra virgin olive oil from time to time). While it is greasy, if I have to put make-up on soon after applying, I just dab the excess off with a towel. It actually seems to work as a great base for the mineral make-up I use (id Bare Minerals).
Let us know what you think of the coconut oil after you try it!
Thanks a million for the link too, am checking it out right now. So great to see more and more beauty companies acting responsibly and consciously.
Have a great day too and have fun shopping for the oil!
I found the natures way coconut oil and tried it last night and today. So far, I love it. It wasn’t too greasy and as you mentioned it was a great base for my mineral makeup. I also read somewhere that it makes a good sunscreen. Do you use it as a sunscreen too??
Thanks! Have a great weekend!
Fantastic Tammy! Yep, it does make for a great sunscreen (so does including spirulina in your diet). I’m just about to write a post about sunscreens and why I don’t wear them (poisonous!). Coconut oil is just so great for so many things. So glad you’ve discovered it! Have a great weekend too