Coconut Oil to the Rescue
When I was a kid, I marveled at the coconut. This round, brown, hairy looking sphere sat unnassumingly in the fruit aisle. It's facial features drew me in and encouraged me to touch it, thump it, and toss it around.
On the rare occassion when we'd bring one home, everyone would anxiously await the call for the cracking of the coconut. Once opened, we'd get a tiny taste of the sweet waters in it's core and as much of the equally sweet white flesh as we desired.
Fast-forward to adulthood and the coconut appears in places other than my mother's Germam Chocolate cake recipe. Almost every section of your local grocery store - health, personal care, beverages, produce - has an item that uses the coconut.
At Bonnie & Sage, we use coconut oil in many of our products. As a cleaning agent, it is a staple in many of our soaps. You'll also find it in our lotion bars, bath bombs, and scrubs. Read below for a few DIY applications.
Moisturizer
Coconut oil can be used sparingly on skin and hair. It has a refreshing natural scent that isn't too overpowering. It works by creating a barrier on your skin that traps in moisture. After your bath or shower, use a pea sized amount on your hair, knees, feet, or elbows. Be sure not to over do it. For some skin types (oily or combination skin), it can clog pores.
Bath Oil
You won't need much, just a teaspoon will do. Using a microwave safe condiment cup, warm your oil in five second bursts until it softens and melts (be cautious as the cup and oil may be hot). Add the melted oil to your warm bath. For a little something extra, add 4 to 6 drops of skin safe essential oil - try lavender, sweet orange, or eucalyptus. Use caution when entering and exiting the bath as surfaces may be slippery.
Salve
If the cold air, allergies, excema, etc., make certain areas of your skin really dry, try making your own salve. Combine 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil, 1 teaspoon almond oil, 10 drops lavender EO and 4 drops tea tree EO to make your own skin saver. Allow to cool to room temperature. After your bath or shower, use a small amount on dry patches to sooth itching and irritation.