Jessica Bills | Banner Victoria Offerman, senior psychology and criminal justice double major, sprays sunblock with coconut oil in it to protect her skin while soaking up the sun on the lawn outside Mission Hall by the volleyball courts. She explained that the coconut oil is a natural way to help her tan without peeling and is safer to use than baby oil.
Coconut oil is a heart-healthy food that helps the body run more smoothly in many different ways. It can be used in everyday cooking or as a raw ingredient in smoothies and coffee, among other uses.
Students at California Baptist University have been using coconut oil as a skin moisturizer, hair conditioner, makeup remover, or have used it to polish surfaces and clean up sticky messes around the house.
The unique combination of fatty acids that make up the oil has been known to promote positive effects on one’s overall health. This includes fat loss, better brain function and a variety of other benefits.
Even though it is a fatty acid, coconut oil can help with weight loss. The healthy medium-chain fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats; instead, they are sent directly to the liver and are then immediately converted into energy.
Another beneficial feature of coconut oil is its ability to reduce hunger. Instead of using butter on toast, one can use coconut oil. Coconut oil can also be eaten by the spoonful. Eat one spoonful each morning or add one tablespoon of coconut oil into a favorite smoothie recipe in order to increase one’s energy.
Coconut oil is soothing and can help in reducing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head, followed by a gentle massage, helps to eliminate mental fatigue.
As well as being beneficial for the inner body, coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for skin and hair.
“I use coconut oil for my hair when I am doing a hot-oil treatment, or every few days when I deep-condition my hair,” said Josephine. Ichull-Ingya, junior biomedical engineering major. “I sometimes use too much heat on my hair, and the coconut oil helps repair it. Plus it is pure, which is always a good way to go.”
Coconut oil can also be used as an eye cream by applying a thin layer around the eyes to soften wrinkles and counteract thinning and sagging skin.
“I started using coconut oil this last summer and I had never used it before,” said Victoria Offerman, senior psychology and criminal justice double major. “A girlfriend recommended I use it for tanning. It is a safe and a natural alternative to baby oil and it doesn’t make me peel.”
Coconut oil also works as a makeup remover. Simply warm about a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage it onto the face to dissolve makeup. Be gentle while coaxing off mascara. Wet a washcloth with hot water, wring it out thoroughly, and place it over the face. Gently massage away the last traces of mascara. Repeat by wetting, wringing and wiping, if necessary.
Coconut oil almost has an unlimited amount of uses. Some include applying the oil as a body scrub, lip balm, anti-arthritis pain reliever, energy booster, or as a cold treatment in a hot drink.
