Nourishing coconut oil and honey hair mask

Coconut oil!

One of my favourite natural ingredients that I’ve been using a lot recently. The range of benefits is impressive. Sometimes oily ointments can be too heavy on certain kinds of skin. However, the coconut oil has worked surprisingly well for my type. Ever since childhood my biggest challenge has been the dry skin. On top of that - any oil based creams or lotions (let alone oil itself) would cause a breakout. A breakout on very dry skin that is. Who would want that! I tried many products until I settled for water based hydrating ranges only.

To my big surprise coconut oil doesn’t cause my skin to develop spots. Wonderful news during the Autumn season and during the Winter/Spring time when my skin feels particularly tight and my hair fizzy and brittle. It also falls out much more during before and after winter. One particularly freezing winter day I got home. While waiting to defrost I looked at my hands cracked from the freezing temperatures. Desperate for relief I dug a handful of coconut oil from the container and rubbed it all over my hands. The result was amazing! The cracks healed faster and the oil absorbed much better than a vaseline I would’ve used it I found it. And the scent?? Oh my!

 

Key benefits of coconut oil

After researching more about coconut oil I realised it has many benefits! It’s been well promoted within the UK that consumption of coconut oil can be even damaging for heart and circulation than lard due to its high content of saturated fat. However, the high content of fats is actually a benefit for external use. Ideal for homemade skin treatments and hair mask mixtures. These are some of the most helpful properties of coconut oil:

1. Antibacterial and healing properties - coconut oil kills germs and helps to reduce inflammation so it is efficient if used to sooth the skin after sun exposure, as a nappy rash ointment or to treat eczema.
2. Antifungal properties - so perfect for antidandruff and feet cleansing treatment mixtures.
3. Cleans the skin - coconut oil can remove small particles from the skin in very gentle way so it can be used as a facial cleanser or a part of exfoliating or scrub recipe.
4. Moisturises - fats content nurtures skin by adding the oily component and ‘locking’ more moisture within the skin. This nourishes skin and makes it glow and looks younger, it can also be beneficial to reduce cellulite and to keep hair smoother and more managable.

 

Nourishing coconut oil and honey hair mask

Ingredients list:

• Coconut oil - there are many different types and brands out there to purchase. After doing some research on what properties need to be sustained in the product in order to maintain high quality (such as the process of pressing the oil out under lower temperatures (cold press) or avoiding refining the oil), I eventually chose two products, firstly the Nature’s Promise organic coconut oil, and also the Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. So far the 500mg jar has usually lasted me for about 6 to 8 weeks.
• Organic honey - again another wonderful ingredient, tasty and full of beneficial properties! And another chance to pick one according to your preferences and needs. I have tried various kinds of honey and currently I am using a local organic produce of a friend of mine. Delicious honey produced from a small home with love!
• Lavender essential oil - heavenly scent of lavender, my favourite product here is Miaroma Lavender Pure Essential Oil from Holland&Barrett.
  You can of course use different scents such as Wild Rose or pick a Tea Tree oil for it’s antiseptic properties. Or you may choose to skip this step entirely.

 

Preparing the mixture:

Mix 1 and 1/2 tbl spoons (2 for longer or thicker hair) of coconut oil at room temperature, add 1 tbl spoon (1 and 1/2 for longer or thicker hair) of honey and whip with a spoon. Add a drop of lavender essential oil and mix one more time. Firstly, brush your hair thoroughly to remove any knots. Then begin applying the mask on the scalp and gently massaging it all the way from the roots to ends. When evenly applied wrap your hair with a cling film to encourage warmth and deeper conditioning. You can also add a towel, I love using light weight hair turban which stays nicely in place. Leave for 30 - 45 minutes and then wash with a gentle shampoo.

Tip:

If you make more mixture then needed it can be kept in refrigerator and used within a week. Cool place makes the oil becomes hard again so when using the rest just leave it out for about 20 minutes or so until it becomes softer and room temperature.

 

Repeat weekly and enjoy the results! x