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20 Uses of Coconut Oil for Skincare and Beauty
Yes! Coconut oil can be used for many of your skincare and beauty needs. In this article, we will get into 20 uses of coconut oil for skin care and beauty.
Some of these uses you may be familiar with, but, in case you are not, we will be sure to add a few tips along the way.
20 ways to use Coconut Oil
Night Cream– After your nightly wash routine, you can apply some coconut oil to your face as a night cream.
Face Cleansing– Coconut oil soap bars can be used as a face cleanser. Coconut oil is used as the base for these bars and you can make them at home or purchase them.
Itch relief- Itching from bug bites, burns, and some bruises may be soothed with a topical application of coconut oil.
Deodorant – Coconut oil forms the perfect base for homemade deodorants. All you do is combine the coconut oil with a few other ingredients. Check out this recipe.
Body oil– coconut oil can be used as a body oil. Apply some coconut oil to your skin after showering. Or, even apply if you run out of body butter or lotion.
Massage Oil- Coconut oil can be slightly warmed and used as a massage oil. To make it soothing, you may add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Lip Balm- Coconut oil can be applied to the lips as a lip balm. This will help to prevent chapped lips and keep your lip moist.
Lip scrub– A great DIY homemade lip scrub recipe is to combine one tablespoon of coconut oil with two tablespoons of brown sugar and one tablespoon of honey. Apply to your lips as you would any other lip scrub you use.
Body Scrub– As a DIY Homemade body scrub recipe you may combine one-half cup of coconut oil with 1-3 tablespoons of brown sugar or coarse salt. Apply to your body as you would with any other body scrub.
Cuticle oil– Coconut oil can be used to add moisture to the base of your nails. Sometimes your cuticles can get cracked and dry, this remedy will help to prevent that.
Foot rub- Moisturizer – To help with dry feet, coconut oil can be applied as a moisturizer.
Foot rub- Scrub– As well as it may be applied as a foot scrub, simply mix with brown sugar. Follow either the lip scrub or body scrub recipe.
Elbow rub– Coconut oil can be applied to your elbows as a rub to help with or prevent dry elbows.
Body Cleansing– Coconut oil can be used as a base for handmade soap bars. You can make coconut oil soap bars yourself or you can purchase them.
Oil-pulling– Oil pulling is an ancient process of swishing an edible oil in your mouth for a few minutes then spitting it out. Coconut oil can be used in such cases.
Eyelash Growth Serum– If you are trying to grow out your eyelashes you can apply coconut oil to them to help with the growth.
Leave-in Conditioner– Coconut oil is the perfect ingredient for dry hair. Apply a little coconut oil to your hair when wet and seal in the moisture.
Dandruff Treatment– In many cases, dandruff is a result of dry scalp. Coconut oil can be used to add moisture to your roots and scalp. Use a dropper or your fingers to apply coconut oil to your scalp.
Hair Growth Serum– Coconut oil is said to promote growth. By applying coconut oil to your hair and scalp you may get the added benefits of increased growth.
The Wrap Up
Coconut oil can be used for many of your skincare and beauty needs, we showed this by providing 20 uses of coconut oil for hair, face, and body. Along the way, recipes are provided as well as tips.
This list of 20 uses of coconut oil for skin care and beauty is not intended to be medical advice. Please use only as a point of reference or guide, supported by other recipes using coconut oil.
This article contains amazon affiliate links. A small commission is earned on purchases at no extra cost to you.
How To Make Hemp Milk – Homemade Hemp Milk
Have you heard good or bad things about hemp milk? Or have you never heard of itit?
If you never heard of it then this article will introduce you to it and provide you with the pros and cons of hemp milk.
We will also share how to make hemp milk. Before we get detailed, we will discuss what it is.
What is hemp milk?
Hemp Milk is plant-based and it is slowly making its way as the mainstream alternative to Cow’s milk and many other forms of substitutes.
Similar to other kinds of plant-based milk, hemp milk is made from seeds – the seeds of the hemp plant. But, no worries, the seeds from the hemp plant only contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
As such, you will not get any mind-altering effects from using it or even eating hemp seeds. In other words, this product is incapable of getting you ‘high’.
How do you use it?
Hempseed milk may be used for a variety of things. In our home, it is used often. It is excellent to use if you try not to consume too much dairy.
Everyday uses include: As
- cream/milk for your coffee, smoothies, or cereals.
- the milk used in baking.
- a drink served with ice.
It is available online and in many grocery stores. Or if you prefer, you can make your own as we often do.
Read until the end to find out how to make hemp milk – homemade hemp milk that is.
Pros and Cons
There are many pros and cons of hemp milk. For your convenience, this article will highlight three (3) of the most popular or important pros and cons.
Pros
Hemp is not a common allergen.
One of the main reasons that people are switching from animal-based milk (especially cows milk) is because of allergenic reasons. Many are lactose intolerant. Apart from that type of allergy, many people even have a nut and soy intolerance so they have very limited options for good tasting milk. Hemp milk is not known to be a common allergen so many people can enjoy it as their substitute.
This is not to say a person cannot be allergic to it or other hemp foods – it’s simply to say that it is not common. Read more.
Packed with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and Iron.
You can get your all-important omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids from hemp milk. Also, it is packed with iron.
Iron oh iron. Did you know that calcium found in most dairy products blocks iron absorption? This means that if you are having cereal that is packed with fortified iron you may want to use something other than a cow’s milk to enjoy it. Of course, this will be less important if you do not have a health condition such as iron-deficiency anemia.
It contains nutrients that may help to prevent heart disease.
Hemp is said to be rich in the amino acid arginine. Your body needs arginine to create nitric oxide. According to Healthline, “Nitric oxide helps relax blood vessels and maintain a healthy blood pressure”. Thus, consuming arginine-rich foods may reduce the chances of heart disease.
Cons
Strong Nut Flavor
For some people, a strong nut flavor is a pro. However, I have heard many people saying they do not like the nutty flavor. The nut taste is quite strong.
May be costly
For some, hemp milk is considered as pricy. The benefits of using it may very well outweigh the cost but that is a personal decision for you to make.
As well as, if you are using animal-based milk you should strive to consume high-quality milk that is organic and from grass-fed cows which is equivalent to the cost.
Low in protein and calcium but high in sugar
Many people consume milk products for their calcium. However, hemp milk is low in calcium. This means that if you switch to it you will need to get calcium from another source.
Many people also say that hemp milk is high in sugar.
If you make your own this won’t be an issue. However, if you are shopping for it ensure to read the nutrition label carefully.
How to Make Hemp Milk- Homemade
Making it homemade is super easy. You can make it by following only a few short steps. Below we will list the ingredients needed to make it homemade then we will tell you exactly how to.
Ingredients and utensils:
- 1/2 cup Organic Hemp Seeds (shelled)
- 2-3 cups Water fit for drinking
- A pinch of salt
- Organic Sweetener – sugar or honey (optional)
- Blender
- Strainer
- Mason jar – for storage
Steps:
- To your blender, add organic hemp seeds, water, salt, organic sweetener.
- Close the blender and blend until the mixture is well combined – about 30-60 seconds.
- Place the strainer on the mason jar and pour the milk into the mason jar.
- Seal the mason jar and store in the fridge or serve immediately on ice. It will last about 3-5 days if stored correctly in the fridge.
With this quick process, you can make a fresh batch before you are ready to consume rather than storing. But, this is completely up to you.
Summing Up
Based on the pros and cons of hemp milk you will be able to make an informed decision about whether or not it is right for you. This is one way that you can begin to live a self-sustainable life– by making some of your own items. If you do decide to give it a try then you will be able to make your own by following our easy ‘how to make hemp milk’ guide.
This list and article are not exhaustive and should only be used as a guide. This article is in no way a medical guide as the author is not a medical expert. Please use links provided for additional reading.
Striving to live a Self-Sustainable Life
When it comes to healthy living; there are many things that I hope to implement. Striving to live a self-sustainable life is definitely one of the major things.
Self-sufficient or sustainable living means that you work to provide what is needed for all of your own needs. This also means that you aim to live without external help or resources.
Living a self-sustainable life requires great skill and independence. It may also require some upfront investments. What makes it worth it though, are the many benefits that self-sustainable living offers.
Reasons for Striving to live a self-sustainable life.
Here are just a few reasons why I strive to live a self-sustainable life:
- I want to provide healthy, organic foods for our household.
- I want to be in full control of planting and harvesting the foods we eat. Knowing exactly what we consume is important.
- I want to be in control of the products we use and the ingredients they contain.
- Feeling a sense of independence and financial freedom is important to me.
There are many more reasons that I can think of as to why we should all strive for a sustainable life. Here are some more general reasons.
Preparedness
Preparedness is perhaps one of the biggest reasons. If anything goes awry, you’ll still have some foothold. In this day and age, anything can happen as I am sure you know.
Let’s take the present example of COVID-19. Living a self-sustainable life would’ve been one of the best things for you. Stores were hard to be in and even certain items were not available.
It could be something of a political nature. Big cooperations are getting bigger and smaller businesses are slowly getting pushed out. Now more than ever, we should all be trying to sustain ourselves in some way.
Caring for the environment
There is also the all-important reason of caring for the environment we live in. With self-sustainable living, less waste is produced and support is given to small business whose mission match yours.
At Joys From Nature, we strive for sustainable living, not over for ourselves and our communities but for our environment and eco-system.
Things you can Implement Today
Although at this time it’s hard to live the life you want fully, there are little steps that you can take. We try to use cotton packing for our handmade coconut oil soaps so we stay away from plastic. We also use glass containers for packaging instead of plastic containers.
On a more personal basis, we no longer use plastic within our household. We use glass water bottles, mental straws, wooden toothbrushes among other things. As well as we aim for organic produce and support our local farmers.
These are just some of the ways that we try despite current circumstances. You too can try in your own way.
There is no guide for becoming self-sustainable. And, it is most definitely not going to happen overnight.
Another way you can try is to look for opportunities within your community to barter. Yes! barter. You can try to trade your homegrown produce with some of what your neighbor produced if you have the capacity to grow.
You can also look for suitable jobs in your area and operate from home when possible. Perhaps start a business.
From trying each day to live a sustainable life. You’ll learn new skills, achieve some amount of financial freedom, and learn how to make things last.
It is in human nature to prefer options; and, there are always alternatives to what we choose.
Summing it up
Essential what we are saying is that It depends a lot on your current situation as well as your community what you can do when striving to live a self-sustainable life. Even carrying your own reusable bags to the store and buying unpackaged produce in glass containers is a great place to start. Just start somewhere.
6 Recipes for Homemade Beauty Products
Homemade beauty products are becoming the much-needed trend to help switch from a heavily manufactured space. With the possible chemical effects that cosmetics might have on sensitive skin, we’ve compiled some homemade beauty solutions that are safe and easy to prepare with ingredients that are readily available.
Below you will find 7 recipes for homemade beauty products. These may be used for all skin types. However, take your own skin type into consideration and use this post only as a guide.
Homemade Beauty Products
Cleansers
Cleansing is the first step in maintaining healthy skin. A regular skin cleansing routine is necessary because of our constant exposure to dirt. Here are some organic cleansers for your skin
Gram Flour Cleanser: Mix gram flour with milk and curd into a smooth paste. Apply this evenly to your face and cleanse your skin with circular round movements all over your face. Gently massage it and then wash it off with cool water.
Tomato Cleanser: Use a whole tomato’s extract and add a teaspoon of lime juice. Mix it evenly, apply it on your face and keep it on for 10 minutes. You might experience a tingling sensation when you can gently massage that area of your skin. Rinse it with cold water afterward.
If you are not interested in these cleansers then you can try the Joys From Nature Pure coconut oil bar soap.
Scrubs
Scrubs act as a second step to your skincare routine. They provide a second level deeper cleansing which targets the dead skin cells.
Sugar Face Scrub: Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix evenly then apply it on your face and neck, massage it in a circular motion for a few minutes. Afterward, rinse it off with warm water.
Blueberry and Honey Scrub: Use a half cup of blueberries, 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix all the ingredients in a blender and make it into a paste. Apply a generous amount of paste on your face and neck and leave it on for 15 minutes then rinse it off with warm water.
Face Masks
Face Masks provide the ultimate glow for healthy skin after deep cleansing and exfoliation. They also act as natural whiteners. Before using any face mask always ensure that your skin is dry.
Cooling Mask: Combining mint, oatmeal, sandalwood powder, and rosewater work great as a cooling face mask. Soak the oatmeal in warm water for 10 minutes before blending all the ingredients and making it into a paste. Apply it evenly and keep it on for 15 minutes. The cooling agents in these ingredients will provide healthy and glowing skin.
Remember that these recipes for homemade beauty products should be used only as a guide and not as medical advice to treat or cure any skin ailments.
Benefits of Coconut Oil as a Face Moisturizer
Coconut oil has made its way into being a super multi-purpose food. This super-food is not only great for cooking but works wonders when applied topically on your skin. There are many benefits of coconut oil as a face moisturizer.
This product can be made into coconut oil soaps which cleanses your skin as well as face moisturizers and creams. Coconut oil is also added to countless products for its enormous benefits.
In this article, we will discuss four (4) benefits of using coconut oil as a face moisturizer.
Benefits of Coconut Oil as a Face Moisturizer
It helps with Dry Skin
If you suffer from dry skin or chapped lips then coconut oil is the face moisturizer you need. Coconut oil is a light oil and so it absorbs into the skin very easily, adding moisture.
You can apply coconut oil to your skin before bed for added benefits.
Reduces Inflammation
Many studies found and concluded that coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory properties. Due to this, coconut oil can be used to help with skin problems such as acne and eczema.
Protects you from Sun Burns
Coconut oil has antioxidant properties which help to combat the effects of solar radiation. This means that applying coconut oil to your skin before heading out will help you to fight against sunburn. In the event that you already faced sunburn, coconut oil being used as a face moisturizer can be used to help ease the inflammation and pain caused.
Deep Cleans and removes make up
Using coconut oil will help you to get a deep clean and also remove any excess make up. Coconut oil is a light oil that can easily seep into pores and lift unwanted properties. Many beauticians use coconut oil to first remove heavy makeup before washing their face.
When it’s time to wash, there are many benefits to be gained by washing your face with a coconut oil based soap. These soaps not only cleanse your face but also helps you to add and retain moisture.
If you are in need of a face moisturizer, consider using coconut oil above other beauty products. when shopping, ensure that you get organic virgin coconut oil for best results.
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Disclaimer- This article is not intended to act as medical advice. Please consult a physician for health concerns. Embedded links may be used as a reference. Some of these links are affiliate links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.