11 Surprising Ways Coconut Oil Makes You Prettier
By Lauren Valenti
Courtesy Getty
These days, it seems like virtually every celebrity is using coconut oil in one form or another. Angelina Jolie starts her day with a teaspoon of it. Miranda Kerr puts it in her green tea. Mindy Kaling slathers it into her hair. Shailene Woodley oil pulls with it (we’ll explain later). The list goes on…
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And since it seems stars just excel in the beauty department by default, we decided to get to the bottom of every way we can use the wallet-friendly, all-natural oil to make ourselves easier on the eyes.
Your Hair
Conditioner: Whether applied at room temperature or heated up, letting your hair soak in coconut oil for a few hours will deep condition your hair, i.e. make it look and feel way healthier, as it’s rich with vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron.
Anti-Frizz Potion: By lightly finger-combing it through your hair from the ears down, it can help tame frizz without making it look greasy—just keep it away from your roots.
Shine Creator: While hair serums can be packed with silicone, unrefined coconut oil will give your hair a natural sheen.
Cleaning Machine: As gross as it is to think about, the fact is our scalp and hair have a higher bacterial content than we’d like to acknowledge. Fortunately, coconut oil contains anti-fungal/antibacterial properties that make it serve as a protective barrier.
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Your Skin
Moisturizer: When applied on the face or body, coconut oil works as an all-natural moisturizer that replenishes the skin’s natural oils.
Soothing Balm: Whether applied topically or ingested in precise amounts, it helps to minimize outbreaks and irritation.
Anti-Aging Wonder: Filled with antioxidants that ward off free radicals, it’ll help slow the aging process while keeping your skin hydrated—making you soft, supple, and glowing.
Highlighter: Once you’ve applied your makeup, use it as a cheek highlighter as it will enhance your skin’s natural pigments and reflect light.
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Your Smile
Whitener: Oil pulling, which is swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for several minutes, has been found to whiten teeth (Kylie Jenner is a believer).
Decay Fighter: When it comes to appearance, it’s not just about the color of your teeth, but also their density over time. Because it’s antibacterial, it helps ward off the plaque buildup that causes tooth decay in the first place.
Lip Moisturizer: Chapped lips are not a good look. Whether oil pulling or using it as a lip balm, coconut oil nourishes for a soft pout free of cracks and flakes.
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