The DIY coconut oil-based skincare and haircare elixirs you need to try

A fungicide, fat burner, skin hydrator and brain fuel—coconuts are truly the jack of all trades. Coconuts and coconut oil have been part of ancient Indian Ayurvedic therapies and at-home skincare routines for more than a thousand years now. And modern science has backed its benefits too, with several new studies pointing towards the numerous benefits the antimicrobial properties of the saturated fats present in the oil have on our skin and hair.

Coconut oil is the richest natural source for lauric acid, a fatty acid that plays multiple roles of an antimicrobial agent, a moisturiser and a hormone regulator. In addition to being a rich source of fatty acids, coconut oil also has powerful antioxidants, which slows down ageing. Another reason that makes it a skincare favourite is the generous amount of Vitamin E it contains, and its ability to stimulate production of the collagen that makes skin flexible and less prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Not only does using coconut improve the lipid content of your skin, it puts the protein right back in; and its anti-inflammatory properties can be used to treat psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and acne too (when used the right way, as coconut oil can be occlusive—it traps moisture beneath the skin). But read your label before purchasing this magic elixir, as it’s only recommended to use a 100 per cent natural, unrefined coconut oil on your skin and scalp.

All the DIY recipes with coconut oil you can add to your skincare, haircare and body care routines

An elixir to nix hairfall

Your hair is made up of protein, a loss of which can lead to breakage and hair damage. In order to give your hair some TLC after much damage, mix two tablespoons of coconut oil with one egg and a teaspoon of honey. Leave it on for an hour and shampoo. Coconut oil has a low molecular weight and penetrates the hair shaft easily. This mask will help restore the protein, and make your hair shinier.

A lip scrub to exfoliate flaky, dry lips

This all-natural lip scrub comes with the approval of a Kardashian. Reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian, who is known for her natural approach for skincare, revealed that she uses a homemade lip scrub made with equal parts of organic sugar, honey and coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients together and store the concoction in a glass jar. Both honey and coconut oil are hydrating agents, and the organic sugar will rub all your dead skin cells away, thus improving the blood supply to the lips. Try this just before applying a bright lip colour for even application and velvety, fuller-looking lips.

A scalp treatment to calm a dandruff-prone scalp

Mix two tablespoons of coconut oil with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Gently apply this mixture on your scalp and hair and massage with your fingertips. Leave it on for a minimum of 30 minutes, and follow it regularly to rid your scalp of dandruff. The natural acidity of the lemon juice, combined with the healthy fats of the oil, nourish and treat your hair simultaneously.

A hair mask to add shine to dull strands

Are your strands looking dull and dry due to breakage and split ends? It’s time to make your hair stronger with this simple mix. In a bowl, mix two tablespoons of coconut oil with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (change proportions based on your hair length). Apply evenly all over your hair, and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it out. Apple cider vinegar helps restore the natural pH balance of your skin, and its anti-inflammatory properties also treat dandruff and a flaky scalp. Like coconut oil, apple cider vinegar also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, and when combined, can restore the shine of your hair and remove product build-up too.

A body scrub to reverse an uneven tan

If you’ve had too many beach days and are struggling with an uneven tan, gentle exfoliation with a scrub should do the trick. Mix coconut oil with orange peel and granulated sugar. The sugar works to exfoliate the top layer of the skin, while the Vitamin C in the orange peel brightens the skin. This scrub is also ideal on dark knees and elbows—the coconut oil soothes as the other ingredients slough off dead skin cells and grime.

Also read:

How coconut oil can give you the best skin and hair of your life

Will castor oil really leave you with longer eyelashes and thicker brows?

The DIY face scrubs you need to try at home to fight oily skin woes