Dry skin, scalp flakes, psoriasis, damaged hair… Coconut oil has nutrients that skin loves, and it can be used to help soothe all of these issues. Who’d have thought?

To use coconut oil for application, make sure you’re purchasing pure, organic coconut oil. Most health food shops such as Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s offer this type of oil.

To use as a hair treatment, follow these steps:

1. Warning: Coconut oil is solid unless heated. When heating the oil, make sure it isn’t too hot or you will burn yourself. Use caution and do not over-heat!
2. Melt it: Grab a teaspoon of the coconut oil. To turn it into oil for hair, you’ll need to heat it up until it melts. I usually do this by dropping my teaspoon into a bowl and popping it into the microwave for 30 seconds. Do not melt the entire jar!
3. Serum: For a serum, pour a dime size amount into your hair and distribute evenly for silky, coconut-smelling hair.
4. Hair mask: For a hair mask, saturate your hair (especially the ends) and leave the oil on for as long as possible. I usually leave it on for about three hours before bed, and then wash it out. Your hair will be extremely soft after drying! If you wash in the morning, feel free to don a shower cap and leave it in over night.

Have left-over oil? Here are ways to put it to use:

1. Save it: Put it in the refrigerator and it will solidify again, ready to be re-used.
2. Moisturizer: Use the oil for your skin, similar to how you would use a moisturizer.
3. Nails: Use the oil as a nail treatment, rubbing it into cuticles to soften. Works great during a manicure.
4. Scalp: Rub into finger tips and use as a scalp massage to help sooth dry scalp and dandruff. Let sit on the scalp for as long as possible, and it will soothe itchy areas and moisturize.
5. Soothing: Concentrate the oil by massaging into problem skin areas. Any itchy areas will be relieved and redness should decrease.
6. Face: Use as a facial moisturizing treatment by massaging into the skin. This not only helps with dry patches and does wonders for dry skin, but it will even soften eyebrows and lashes.

Have you ever  used coconut oil for moisturizing treatments? Would you recommend it?