RAVE for using pure, unrefined organic coconut oil
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free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:40 am

I've used coconut oil in the past, but then I stopped for a long time while I was living with roommates as I felt bad greasing up the joint shower stall. Well now, I've just moved in with my very tolerant boyfriend, and now I'm back on the coconut oil kick. I just got a container of Spectrum Unrefined Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, and after a rough day I came home and used it.

First I massaged it into my scalp to help with dandruff, and then into my hair to help moisturize it and smooth frizzies. Then I used it for OCM on my face, plus rubbed it all over my body to help hydrate my dry skin, paying extra attention to my knees and elbows.

Then, I shampooed my hair once and conditioned it, rinsed it out, and let it dry naturally, plus patted my skin dry so as to not remove the oil. The next morning, my skin was moisturized but not greasy, some of my acne had chilled out in redness and the oil plugs look like they want to "escape", but the killer was how my hair was totally silky and manageable but not at all greasy. It killed a LOT of my usual frizzies, my scalp wasn't tight or itchy, and it's raining out so normally I'd be all frizz and craziness, but my hair stayed sleek and awesome. Plus I smelled like Hawaii. I'm SO back on the coconut oil kick!

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:44 am

I agree! Every other week I'll apply gobs to dry hair, comb it through and put it up in a turban to leave in overnight. After shampooing the next day my hair is super soft! I tried to replace this with Ojon, but the Ojon is too expensive for the amount it takes to work through my voluminous hair and I went back to raw, organic coconut oil. I also use this oil to pop my popcorn as well, delicious!

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:55 am

I also use this oil for my hair but I've been scared to use it on my face because of my congestion and acne. Let us know if you break out!

How did you use it for OCM? Did you mix it with other oils?

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:33 am

I'm only now discovering OCM thanks to EDS, but I recently read somewhere that coconut oil is less likely to clog pores than many other oils. I can't recall the thread, but if I come up with it I'll post a link! It was something where Carekate did a description of which oils are good for which skin types... anyway, I had always avoided using it on my face too, but after reading that I decided to brave it. And I didn't mix anything else but I may try doing so in the future. So far no breakouts, I'll keep you posted!

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:51 am

I agree that coconut oil is a gift. But it can also have a noisome effect on facial skin for some. I remember reading this thread:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=21110

--avalange

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:01 pm

Yikes, I'll have to monitor this - it's weird though, I'm finally getting old enough and dried-out enough that my skin doesn't behave like a teenager's. Things that aggravated my acne insanely in my teens are now my HG. I NEVER could've used coconut oil on my face in high school, just my hair, but now my face seems to like it! So far, anyway. I'll keep an eye out. Smile

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:01 pm

Ive also been using coconut oil for my hair and it is really great. Makes my hair softer and shiny. Its also cheap so I used it every other day without costing a fortune Wink

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:07 pm

Exactly - all this Ojon stuff is just unnecessary. So many awesome emollients are available for so much cheaper! Smile

I love feeling like I've beat the system with my own DYI concoctions, hehe. My next is to combine ground almonds like DHCC with my Burt's Bees cleanser to make it more exfoliating. Smile

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:00 pm

Aha! I found the oil thread I was looking for! And it was Wildflower, not Carekate. Smile

Enjoy!

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=15064&highlight=oils+face

Wait... now that I look at it, this is a similar but slightly different list, with some different claims about each oil. So much conflicting info! The other list I had looked at gave coconut oil on the face a thumbs-up. Who knows! I just know my skin and hair feel fabulous today!

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:13 pm

I also use it for my hair, but I usually keep it for an hour or two and then wash hair with shampoo.

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:33 pm

I just used coconut oil on my hair tonight before I showered and my hair is soooo shiny and smooth! I got a perm during the winter. If I let it air dry and don't style it, it looks frizzy. But tonight I let it air dry and my curls were not frizzy at all-- they are shiny and bouncy. I haven't use the CO in a while so it was nice to see something work again!

I also tried straight CO for OCM. I am hoping it doesn't break me out. I put it on my body before I showered too and my legs feel pretty soft as well.

I should use this more often when I have time. Usually I forget.

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:57 pm

hi ginnielizz!

I have a gallon of the extra virgin unrefined coconut oil that i have neglected to use. your post reminds me that i need a scalp/hair massage tommorrow. it does certainly help with dandruff, it always seems alleviate mine for sure. what i also like is neem powder dissolved in shampoo to help combat dandruff also.

about coconut oil clogging up skin, i have come across both sides of the story. on another forum, there are members who say a dab of coconut oil actually helps active blemishes. i don't think that would work for me but coconut never seemed to clog my pores really.

Kristen~

free skin care · Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:28 am

I love the idea of applying coconut oil to my hair and leaving it overnight before shampooing. Smile

My hair is thick and dry; it would be great if this works for me too. Smile

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:33 pm

I just bought a tub of the coconut oil for the first time to use in my hair. I guess I had expected an actual oil, but my tub looks more like oily clumpy lard. Is that what it is supposed to look like? Can you wash/condition hair then massage a small amount of oil through your hair and let it air dry (like I do with jojoba oil) or is coconut oil something that should be washed out? I don't want my hair to appear greasy.

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:39 pm

Yep, it's supposed to look lardy, haha. It gets liquid at higher temperatures, and if you take some and just rub it between your palms, it should melt. (My coconut oil going permanently liquid in my bathroom is how I knew we were having a TRULY hot summer in Seattle!)

As far as whether you need to wash it out, it depends on your hair type and color, I think. I have very "thirsty" dry hair, but I'm blonde, so I look incredibly greasy and gross if I don't wash it out. So I put it on as a treatment, either for a few hours or overnight, and then wash it out. My fave use for hair is to coat your hair in this stuff before you swim in either chlorine or salt - that way it helps protect your hair against all that damage.

Hope this helps!

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:54 pm

Thanks ginnielizz. I was shaking it in the store and couldn't hear liquid, and I asked the girl if it was an oil and not a powder, and she said that it was definitely an oil. Then when I got it home and saw a big lump of lard I got a bit worried. I thought maybe I got a bad batch or something. Didn't want my hair falling out. Laughing

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:00 pm

I was equally wigged out when I first encountered it years ago - but just think of it like a "butter", similar to shea butter or cocoa butter - lots of oils just have different melting points. Ever noticed when olive oil goes cold and opaque in the fridge, or in a salad dressing? Same thing, it's been chilled to below its melting point. But coconut's is really just above room temp, so if you can't make it melt with just your body heat and maybe a little friction, then you may have a problem.

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:14 pm

I just went and checked and when I rubbed a bit between my fingers it did melt so I'm good to go. One last question, you said you leave it on for a few hours then wash it out. Do you put it on dry or damp hair? I have pretty long hair so I'm thinking of wetting it first because I'm afraid my dry hair would just drink up half my tub, but if the idea is to apply it to dry hair to let it soak up the oil, then I guess I should do that to get the most benefit of it.

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:50 pm

Honestly, I think you can go either way - I usually apply it to wet because it's much easier and like you said you use less, but it wouldn't hurt to do it on dry. Whatever's easiest for you! Smile

free skin care · Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:07 pm

I agree with coconut oil, its really good for the hair. Makes the hair shiny and soft, i usually leave mine overnight. Its cheap and effective.

free skin care · Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:49 pm

When you leave the cocnut oil in your hair overnight, doesn't it get oil all over your pillow?

free skin care · Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:52 pm

If I ever put it on overnight, I definitely cover it with a plastic shower cap and pin that in place.
I think it might ruin my pillowcases!

free skin care · Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:01 am

Diana P wrote:

I just went and checked and when I rubbed a bit between my fingers it did melt so I'm good to go. One last question, you said you leave it on for a few hours then wash it out. Do you put it on dry or damp hair? I have pretty long hair so I'm thinking of wetting it first because I'm afraid my dry hair would just drink up half my tub, but if the idea is to apply it to dry hair to let it soak up the oil, then I guess I should do that to get the most benefit of it.

Hey dianaP, I treat my hair to this every other week. I apply it to dry hair [I have a lot of it, so I use a lot of coconut oil] but my reasoning is that when my hair is dry, it's more receptive to absorbing the goodness of coconut oil. As opposed to when it's wet, it's already full of water and incapable of too much additional absorbtion. It's a lot more difficult to apply and work this through dry hair, but raw organic coconut oil isn't that expensive.

After application, I put my hair up in a turban and place a towel on my pillow for overnight conditioning. The next morning I'll shampoo and condition as usual.

free skin care · Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:45 am

I kind of agree with athena's theory that your hair can absorb more when it's dry - I only do it on wet hair because I'm lazy. So for what it's worth, I'd try it her way if you have the patience! (I have a lot of hair too, so I'm lazy.)

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