Bali's Luxury Virgin Coconut OiL

With the change of seasons comes a shift in skin’s moisture levels. Many of us start to experience drier skin. Whether it’s tightness in our T-zone areas (nose, top of cheeks and forehead) or flaky or patchy skin, changes in weather can wreak havoc on skin.

photo courtesy of Sahasra Beauty

Drugstore ads and product recommendations via our favorite fashion magazines report the latests beauty ingredient fads. Within the past decade we’ve seen names like hyaluronic acid, collagen and moroccan oil emerge as top beauty ingredient contenders.

One ingredient that’s been used for centuries by women is virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil has a slew of benefits. It can be used as: skin moisturizer, deep conditioner, shaving cream, toothpaste, light sunscreen, cuticle moisturizer and makeup remover amongst other uses. I was gifted the below jar of coconut oil courtesy of Sahasra Beauty which has been featured in VOGUE. Sourced from the breathtaking island of Bali, Sahasra lives up to the many benefits of the super oil. It’s a great after shower moisturizing option. I recommend rubbing a scoop of oil in between hands to emulsify or melt the product. The feel is smooth and luxurious when applied.

When it comes to hair benefits the question most women have is: Can coconut oil make my hair grow? Yes, it does. Coconut oil contains vitamins and fatty acids that penetrate the hair cuticle. Many oils are sealants. They protect the hair shaft but don’t necessarily penetrate it. One of these fatty acids is lauric acid. Lauric acid penetrates into the hair shaft locking in moisture. These helps with both frizziness and hair growth. Around 50% of the lauric acid is found in coconut oil.

Coconut oil also contains vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that reduces damage from free radicals (from the sun) and helps retain a healthy shine for those luscious locks. To get the full benefits I recommend doing a deep condition once a week.

Weekly hair mask:

1. Make sure hair is detnagled.

2. In your hands take a teaspoon of coconut oil, rub your hands together until it melts

3. Massage the coconut oil into your scalp. (you can start at your temples then move toward crown) Keep taking more teaspoons of coconut oil throughout this process.

4. After you’ve massaged your scalp, take closer to half a handful of coconut oil, rub your hands together and run your fingers through the rest of your hair until completely soaked (but not leaking).

5. Wrap your hair or make a small bun.

6. Take saran wrap and wrap it around your wrapped hair or bun.

7. Wear overnight. (place a towel on your pillow to avoid any oil on pillowcase)

8. This will give your hair 8 hours of deep hydration. When washing, shampoo as normal. No conditioner is necessary.

9. Your hair should be shiny, soft and smooth. (Do not over shampoo your hair as it can cause drying. Shampoo as yo normally do)

The brand of coconut oil I use is from Sahasra Beauty. Check out Sahasra Beauty, a line of natural beauty products from Bali.