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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Natural Skincare: Coconut Oil and Grapeseed Oil

I have been trying to incorporate more natural skincare products into my daily skincare routine. After hearing so much about skincare oils, I decided to try two popular choices: coconut oil and grapeseed oil. I purchased my extra virgin coconut oil from Amazon.com and my grapeseed oil from my local Whole Foods store. You should be able to purchase 
both at any natural food store.





Coconut oil comes in a solid form but melts on contact with your body heat. It can be used for just about anything: hair conditioner, makeup remover, face/body moisturizer, lip balm, cuticle cream, and even in your food (please use a separate jar for eating). Below is a great video about the many ways you can use coconut oil.

Personally, I like to use coconut oil as a hair mask, makeup remover, 
and a conditioner for my brows and lashes. 

Hair mask: I rub a few chunks of the oil in between my palms so they will melt and scrunch into my dry hair. I avoid my scalp and concentrate the oil from the nape of my neck down. I then put my hair into a messy bun and either leave it in overnight or for at least 30 minutes. I then shampoo/lightly condition my hair as normal. My hair is so soft and much less frizzy afterwards. I like to do this mask about 1-2 every two weeks.

Makeup remover: I'll rub a chunk of the oil in between my palms and then rub the oil all over my face to breakup any makeup I have on. I then let it set for about 30 seconds before using a hot washcloth to remove the oil. I always do this in the shower, so I can use my Clarisonic Mia and regular face wash afterwards.

Brow/Lash conditioner: I will rub a bit of the oil on my lashes and brows every night after putting on my favorite moisturizer. Both my lashes and brows seem thicker and stronger than before I started using the oil.

Many people love to use coconut oil as a face moisturizer, but I'm not sure if it works for me. I tried it two days in a row and loved how soft my skin felt. However, a few days later I broke out in a few deep cystic blemishes. I don't know if this was because of the oil or stress due to graduate classes, but I'm wary to try it again.


I use the grapeseed oil as a face moisturizer only. It is marketed as the best oil for acne-prone/oily skin. I don't use it every day but tend to use it after exfoliating or when my skin is very irritated and dry. It sinks it within 15 minutes, but I still tend to use it only at night. I haven't broken out once since using it.

Do you use natural products on your face or body? Is so, please let me know! I would love to try new things.

15 comments:

  1. I'm glad you tried these! I was waiting for someone I know to try coconut oil. I'm getting a jar for myself soon!

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    1. You should! I'm going to get another jar soon to use for cooking. I think once I use up all my other moisturizers & hair masks I'll be sticking to coconut oil only. Let me know how you like it when you try it!

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  2. this was great, i have never tried it before on my skin, but now would definitely love to give it a try, thanks for sharing, joined ur blog and its so interesting, you write well

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    1. Thank you so much! Please let me know how you like the coconut oil when you try it.

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  3. I love coconut oil and use it for so many things. I had never heard it worked as makeup remover though! I'm very excited that I can use it for that too!

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    1. It really does take off everything! It also seems to extract the gunk from my pores, too. Kinda gross but kinda amazing at the same time.

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  4. Excellent post! I use grape seed oil as a body moisturizer and vitamin e oil on my face. I also use rosewater as an astringent.

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    1. I love Vitamin E oil for a face moisturizer, too! I've never used rosewater before though. I'll have to look into that.

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  5. I've used both and love them :) I love coconut oil as a body moisturizer/make-up remover. And I love to add a tablespoon to my morning berry smoothies to make them creamy, it's super healthy, good brain food. I returned the grapeseed oil because I ended up switching to a face oil by Theraneem that I really liked instead.

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    1. I can't wait to buy a new jar to use so I can start adding it to my smoothies, too! What kind of face oil do you use now?

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    2. I'm using this one, I love it!: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MTFNQ2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008MTFNQ2&linkCode=as2&tag=thrcor-20

      Wrote about some natural skin care favs here, too, if your curious :)

      http://www.thriftcore.com/2013/04/thrifty-easy-100-natural-cleaning.html

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  6. I just bought some coconut oil and was in doubt whether I should leave it in the kitchen or in my bathroom. Might just have it in my bathroom and put a spoon or two into a container in the kitchen. I have opted for both! I was wondering whether it would work on the face, but might skip that and use on hair and body instead.

    Great post, really helped me =)

    Teffy || Teffys Perks Blog

    Xx

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    1. Please let me know how you like it! I have been using it every night as as makeup remover and never have to moisturize anymore. I love it.

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  7. Bought a jar of coconut oil myself and have been using it for a week, mostly as a body moisturizer for my arms and legs after a shower. I read somewhere that it helps fight keratosis pelaris (those annoying bumps that can be found on the backs of your arms and legs that look and feel like acne but aren't). I've suffered froma mild case of this for the past few years that NO amount of exfoliating would fix, but i have to say coconut oil seems to be doing the trick. I'm almost hesitant to say it, because it seems too good to be true. Besides significantly decreasing the keratosis after a WEEK, my skin feels soft --not greasy, like with other oils. I've tried it on my face a few times with the same successful results. Coconut oil all around! I'm glad i've finally tried it!

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    1. WOO HOO for coconut oil! I also have keratosis pelaris but haven't used coconut oil for it. I can't wait to start trying it ASAP. I'm glad it's worked so well so far.

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