10 Alternative Uses For Coconut Oil
The benefits of coconut oil are pretty much endless—and with a wide array of health benefits from beauty to baking, it's safe to say this all-natural oil is a staple in our pantry. Here are 10 ways we like to use coconut oil in our home.
Image via Rip and Tan
The benefits of coconut oil are pretty much endless—and with a wide array of health benefits from beauty to baking, it's safe to say this all-natural oil is a staple in our pantry.
Coconut oil is made from the the fruit of the coconut palm tree and boasts a unique combination of fatty-acids that your body can use for energy, to curb your appetite and even boost immune function. It's also been proven to support a healthy heart.
Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this superfood is surprisingly versatile. Below, find some of my ways to use coconut oil:
1. Cooking Oil—I like to swap out conventional cooking oils or butter for this healthy alternative, whether it's in a stir fry or slathered on toast. This is an easy and delicious way to start adding more coconut to your diet. You can find organic, virgin coconut oil at most grocery stores. We love the Dr. Bronner's and Trader Joe's brands.
2. Deep Conditioner—A natural, affordable alternative to expensive deep conditioning treatments, coconut oil makes a fantastic hair mask. I like to leave it in my hair for 15-20 minutes before showering so that my hair really soaks it all in. I then shampoo and rinse as usual. The result? Silky, smooth locks that feel like I just left the salon.
3. Body & Facial Moisturizer—When used topically, coconut oil can help prevent free-radical damage and premature aging. It's particularly great for those with sensitive skin.
4. First-Aid Remedy—Coconut oil boasts anti-bacterial properties which makes it a safe, natural remedy for small cuts and scrapes. It can also help aid in the of healing of scars, bug bites and sunburn.
5. Oral Rinse & Teeth Whitening Aid—Oil pulling is an ancient, Ayurvedic practice for both cleansing and whitening your teeth. It involves the act of swishing organic, cold-pressed coconut oil around your mouth to draw out (or "pull") impurities and toxins from your teeth and gums. Prior to brushing, swish a spoonful of oil around your mouth for between 5-15 minutes, then spit the oil out. It's important that you not gargle with or swallow the oil, as it's now filled with the toxins and plaque that you just "pulled" from your mouth.
6. Digestive Aid—A spoonful a day keeps the doctor away. Coconut oil is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins that help aid in healthy digestive function. Try adding a spoonful to your coffee or tea to reap all of the benefits.
7. Makeup Remover—Coconut oil is a gentle, incredibly effective makeup remover. I like to use it before cleansing to remove stubborn eye makeup. You can mix in some skin-safe essential oils or honey, or use it alone.
8. DIY Lip Scrub—I mix a little bit of coconut oil and brown sugar together to form a paste and then use it to scrub off any dead skin or rough patches on my lips. The result? A soft, smooth surface. It's a great way to prep your lips for balm or lipstick.
9. Household Cleaner—Coconut oil is a gentle, effective way to remove dirt and impurities from your home. I like to use it as a dish cleaning aid, to remove soap scum and grime from the bathroom and as a stain polish.
10. Pet Wash—Our puppy has sensitive skin that reacts to a lot of chemical ingredients. We like to use coconut oil as a natural and safe alternative to sulfate-filled shampoos. It helps keep his coat shiny and clean.
Shop the Story
The New Haircare Line I'm Obsessed With
Ursa Major’s first foray into haircare is majorly good.
Around two years ago, I made the decision to stop coloring my hair. No toner, no highlights—I quit cold turkey. Since growing out my sun kissed highlights, I’ve noticed a majorly positive change in the health and resilience of my hair. Strands that were once fried and broken were now silky and had shine that no product could replicate.
And with my hair returning to its natural state, I have made it a point to keep it that way by choosing the most natural, safe products out there. The thing about making the switch to natural products, though, is that the industry still has a ways to go when it comes to replicating that silicone-shine and squeaky-clean lather of its conventional counterparts.
When Ursa Major reached out to me to try their new Daily Shampoo and Conditioner duo, I was intrigued. I’ve been a big fan of the brand for a while now—their facial wipes are a must for traveling and stashing in my beach bag and they make one of the most effective natural deodorant in the game. I wasn’t fully committed to a natural haircare line, so I was game to try something new.
But man, this stuff is good. I didn’t even realize it was that good until I let my hair air dry as usual (super low maintenance over here). My hair had body and wave that I’ve only been able to achieve with time and effort. The best part? My hair was super manageable and wasn’t weighed down by styling products used to keep the hold. Even others commented on how bouncy my hair looked, without me even mentioning that I changed a thing!
Color me impressed with this clean haircare duo. It has a light, woodsy scent that doesn’t sway too feminine or linger (read: you can share it with your SO) and is free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance, or petrochemicals and it’s both vegan and cruelty-free. It is filled with good-for-your-locks hero ingredients like coconut and macadamia (shine!), bergamot (conditioning!), and licorice (prevents a flaky scalp!).
The duo retails for $26-$28 USD + free shipping. You can shop it here.
My Favorite Sustainable Brands
Just in time for Earth Day.
With Earth Day just around the corner (tomorrow to be exact), I thought it was the perfect time to talk about my favorite sustainable brands. I've been making a conscious effort to pare down my wardrobe and makeup bag to the essentials, choosing quality over trendy details and a low price tag. In part, I've been gravitating towards designers that use sustainable materials and organic, natural ingredients. Whether it's the fabric they use, factory practices, or low-waste packaging, I'm doing the best I can to not contribute to the problem.
The good news is that the options these days abound. Here I rounded up some of my favorite sustainable brands and my top picks:
Reformation
Everlane
Mara Hoffman
Stella McCartney
Levi's
Earth Tu Face
Rahua
Tata Harper
Another tip? Buying vintage or pre-owned is also a great way to cut down on your consumption. I often find really cool, one-of-a-kind accessories and home decor at local thrift and consignment stores.
What are your favorite sustainable and ethical brands?
Effortless Beach Hair (Minus the Beach)
Brb, stocking up on everything Playa.
I'm all about effortless, low maintenance hair. The kind that looks like you just got home from a day at the beach, you know? But I also want products that are safe and natural as I switch over to a clean routine.
That's why I was so excited to try out Playa and their curated line of hair products, meant to give you that easy, tousled texture we want year-round. The packaging is chic and the scents are heavenly, but these products are more than just a pretty bottle in your shower. The natural, safe formulas put in WORK.
I'm a wash-and-go type of girl, preferring to shower at night so I can sleep in. My goal is to wake up with lived-in texture and Playa gives me that and more. I'm obsessed with the Dry Shampoo that lets me go longer between washes, giving me texture and volume without weighing down my long hair. The shampoo and conditioner are really luxurious, with natural ingredients like coconut water and kukui. Sort of like how no-makeup makeup is a thing, Playa gives me that no-salon salon hair that looks like you just woke up like this.
Shop my favorites from Playa:
Best Bet: Straw Hats
Straw hats for every budget.
If there's one thing that can elevate a Spring outfit, it's a straw hat.
Over the years I've accumulated quite the collection. Janessa Leone is one of my favorite designers—and that's because she just gets it. She has a carefully curated selection of classic toppers with chic, of-the-moment details. The moment you put one on, you feel instantly cooler. I'm dying to check out her Los Angeles showroom, The Edit, but until then, I shop her selection online. I find them to be true-to-size, but measure the circumference of your head for the best fit.
Other brands I love include Rag and Bone, Indego Africa and Hat Attack. But my best tip? I often hit up the Goodwill or vintage stores to find lived-in, one-of-a-kind pieces that I use in our home decor. Most beach towns will have some good ones to choose from.
What the Hell is Jade Rolling?
The clean way to glow.
What the hell is jade rolling?
The idea seem granola, but advocates say it's the secret to get a glowy, fresh complexion. But let’s be real (we’re all friends here)—does it really work?
The short-term science behind jade rolling is that it revs up your circulation, helping to de-puff your eyes and promote lymphatic drainage giving you a glow, albeit temporarily. Consistent jade rolling can help improve skin elasticity and even out your complexion.
It's actually a really simple way to get the effects of high-tech devices like the Ziip and NuFace, without the hefty price tag. I noticed an immediate difference in my skin after using one and it lasted for hours.
I use a jade roller from Mount Lai that I keep in the fridge when not in use. (Trust me on this.) There's nothing better to come home to than a cool facial massage after a long day. So light a candle, turn on your favorite reality tv show and get rolling. Here's how to do it:
Step 1
Cleanse your face.
Step 2
Apply your favorite serum, moisturizer, or gel face mask.
Step 3
Get rolling! Start at your forehead, using outward and upward motions for about two minutes. If things get sticky, you can spritz with your favorite face mist to keep things moving.
I love using facial oils and serums when I roll—it helps increase the circulation to the face and helping with cell rebuilding, collagen boosting, and lymphatic drainage.
Step 5
Wipe off any excess product (if using a mask) and let the oils and serums sink in.
And voila, you’re done! You can roll every day, but I aim for three or four times a week. Shop my favorite oils for jade rolling:
Love, L'Occitane
To me, my skincare routine is the most important. It's the base of all of my looks and I want my skin to look and feel great. I am completely converted/dying over the new Shea Cleansing Oil, Ultra Rich Comforting Cream and Light Comforting Cream from L'Occitane.
I’ve always believed that evening skincare rituals have the most profound impact in the transitional months. My skin is usually fussy this time of year, so I like to give it a little extra TLC. Plus, when my glow starts to fade, I always want my skin to look it's best.
I also think as I age, the more I appreciate products! I'm always so grateful when I find something new to love, so thought I would let you in on the new products I am currently using in my routine.
To me, my skincare routine is the most important. It's the base of all of my looks and I want my skin to look and feel great. I am completely converted/dying over the new Shea Cleansing Oil, Ultra Rich Comforting Cream and Light Comforting Cream from L'Occitane.
Everything I’ve tried from the line is fantastic, and I’m truly speechless over this cleanser. This stuff do wonders to my skin. I’ve been using it in the evenings before bed to remove makeup and I wake up with an even, hydrated, and dewy complexion. I never thought I'd be using oil to cleanse my skin, but here we are! This is truly a wonderful new addition to my routine. My skin has never looked better!
I also love that the line has both a light and rich formula for their creams. I like a light, whipped texture for daytime and under makeup, but at night my skin craves something really rich. I love the feeling of this sinking into my skin at night, it feels like a luxurious treat.
I love to rotate out my products, as I think that your skin craves different things at different times of the year. I highly recommend trying out this new line, available at Sephora stores and online.
What are your go-to skincare products for Spring?
*This post was sponsored, but all opinions are my own.
AILLEA Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale
Here’s what I’m stocking up on.
One of my favorite sources for clean beauty AILLEA is offering 20% off store-wide Black Friday through Cyber Monday (November 23-26). The best part? This promotion is happening both in-store and online.
If you’re shopping online, use promo code CHEERSAILLEA at checkout.
AILLEA recently opened their Charleston location and it has quickly become my go-to. The founder, Kathryn, has discerning taste when it comes to what’s in store—only products that are free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals and endocrine disrupters make the cut. They now offer natural skincare treatments, like facials and sugaring (more on that soon!).
I highly recommend checking out the Charleston store if you haven’t been. For those outside of the Lowcountry, AILLEA has three other locations: Denver, Atlanta, and Raleigh.
Here’s what I’m stocking up on this season:
48 Hours in Charleston
What to do, where to stay and what to eat for a short getaway to the Lowcountry.
Travel Notes
There is so much rich history in Charleston—from its Southern roots to the Creole influence. Add to the mix the amazing food, candy-colored buildings and perfect weather and you can bet I'm already finding an excuse to book my return trip.
For our long weekend in the Lowcountry, we made sure to hit up all of the local favorites and hidden gems that make this city so unique. We were lucky enough to get some inside tips from friends in the area to make the most of our short time here.
Take a look at some of our favorite weekend highlights, so you can get a little inspiration for a trip of your own.
Food + Drink
167 Raw—An intimate raw bar with a bit of Mexican flair. I highly recommend getting there early to get a spot, as it is first-come, first-serve and tables fill up fast. And yes, the lobster roll is as good as they say it is.
Basil Thai—We may have stumbled in by accident (you quickly learn that reservations are pretty much mandatory if you want to get a table anywhere downtown) but for fitting us in at 10pm, this place was good. Opt for the pad thai with shrimp.
Black Tap Coffee—A little off the beaten path, this hipster coffee joint makes an amazing lavender iced latte that is oh-so worthy of your Instagram.
Jeni's Ice Cream—A cute little ice cream shop dishing up unique flavor combinations, like Blackcurrant Lambic, Middle West Whiskey and Goat Cheese with Red Cherries.
Lewis Barbecue—Melt in your mouth barbecue in a bright and relaxed atmosphere. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty: the ribs are worth it.
The Daily—The best eggs and avocado toast in Charleston. Stop in for a quick bite before hitting the road.
What to do
Sullivan's Island
Folly Beach
Rainbow Row
French Quarter
King Street Shopping
Angel Oak
Magnolia Plantation Tour
Waterfront Park
Where to stay
86 Cannon
Belmond Charleston Place
Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston
Market Pavilion Hotel
The Vendue
Zero George
