The beauty benefits of coconut oil for hair, skin and body

Coconut oil is being feted as an all-rounder when it comes to beauty. We look at how to make the most of this healthy oil.

For the hair

The oil serves as a protein-rich hair treatment, helping follicles retain their natural protein. However, it’s important to apply the oil according to your hair type, texture and level of porosity.

TIP: Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair follicles absorb and retain moisture. Highly porous hair absorbs and holds moisture easily, whereas hair with low porosity is very difficult to hydrate and is prone to product build-up. If you’re unsure, take a strand of your hair and submerge it in a glass of water, leaving it for a few minutes. If it floats to the top, it has low porosity, if it sinks to the bottom it’s highly porous and if it’s somewhere in the middle then it has a medium level of porosity.

For those with fine and/or low porosity hair, oils have a tendency to weigh down or even damage your hair, so opt for a diluted, lighter version of coconut oil and apply sparsely, avoiding the scalp. Heat helps open up the hair follicle, allowing it to properly absorb the oil. We like Palmer’s Coconut Oil Dry Oil mist from Chemist Warehouse. For those with porous, thicker manes, you’ll want to apply a deep treatment mask like Daily Defence Coconut Oil Leave in Treatment.

Coconut oil also makes for a great finishing serum to smooth down and tame frizzy flyaways. We like Seven Wonders Coconut Oil Treatment Serum.

For the body

Coconut oil is fantastic for the body because it’s easily absorbed, hydrating and smells great. We like Redwin Coconut Body Oil from Chemist Warehouse. It’s also known to be an effective after-sun treatment due to its hydrating and antioxidant qualities in addition to helping fade stretch marks.

From the skin

When it comes to skin care, coconut oil really gives you bang for your buck. It can be used as a natural make-up remover, a deep cleanser or as a hydrating serum and is suitable for all skin types. It can even reduce sebum secretion for those with oily skin and is effective for chapped lips. We like Swisspers Coconut Oil Facial Wipes, Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Cleansing Balm, Melrose Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, and Seven Wonders Coconut Oil Skin Serum.

Handy uses for coconut oil

Coconut oil has anti-ageing properties, making for a fantastic hand and cuticle treatment. We like Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Hand Cream and Redwin Coconut Balm.

Written by Charlotte Brundrett