Coconut oil

[Milims]

Not sure where to put this so here seems as good a place as any!
I went to the chinese supermarket today and I bought a bottle of coconut oil. I've seen it mentioned several times here for cooking and skin/hair care, so I wonered if anyone had any suggestions. I know I used to use it many years ago as suntan oil yeah - probably not the best idea - but hey it was the 80's !

[Clara]

I think it has an SPF of 4 or thereabouts, so whilst not a great oil for the beach, it would be good as an everyday moisturiser to keep sun damage down.

Coconut oil is also very good for the hair, use it as a pre-wash treatment or a very tiny amount to keep frizzies under control.

It is one of those oils that gets refined and mucked around with a lot (coconut by-products get used in everything, right now my dog food smells of it, sometimes it smells like digestive biscuits!), I´m guessing if you bought it from a chinese supermarket it might not be the best quality, perhaps best stick to putting it on your skin.

[ocailleagh]

Coconut oil can be good for chapped lips, though can be drying if used over a long period of time. It's also useful in treating eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions (in combination with other herbal products).
It can be used melted with beeswax as the base for a homemade ointment, or used without the beeswax as an even simpler base.
Though coconut oil can be used in cooking, it is a saturated fat so should be used in moderation, if at all.
Some things to remember about coconut oil are that if it ever smells coconutty then it has been scented to do so, probably using a chemical fragrance.
The best kind to buy is that which solidifies at cool temperatures. The kind that stays liquid has been refined and (as Clara rightly says) is not so good.
If the one you have is the one I'm thinking of though (small glass bottle, silver or gold coloured metal top, blue and yellow label, I can't think of the brand...), its sold as a cooking oil so should be perfectly safe for most purposes.

[pogostemon]

Hi Milims,
I use the solid stuff in soap & cream making but it also makes an excellent deep conditioning treatment for your hair.
An Indian lady told me how to do this and if my hair needs a boost I do the following.
Apply a small amount to my hair by warming it in my hands first - you don't need much.
Massage in thoroughly and wrap your hair in a warm towel.
Leave on for at least 20 minutes, longer if you've got time and even overnight if you put an old towel on your pillow to protect it.
When taking it off it is best to add shampoo to your hair BEFORE wetting it - this helps the shampoo to lather.
Rinse, shampoo again & rinse well your hair will be silky & soft.
if you add a couple of drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil it will be even better
Hope this is useful
Pogo

[Milims]

Coconut oil can be good for chapped lips, Some things to remember about coconut oil are that if it ever smells coconutty then it has been scented to do so, probably using a chemical fragrance.
The best kind to buy is that which solidifies at cool temperatures. The kind that stays liquid has been refined and (as Clara rightly says) is not so good.
If the one you have is the one I'm thinking of though (small glass bottle, silver or gold coloured metal top, blue and yellow label, I can't think of the brand...), its sold as a cooking oil so should be perfectly safe for most purposes.

Funny you should say that - I'm having real bother with chapped lips right now - so guess whats going on them!
The one I bought is most certainly solid in a bottle with a gold coloured top. The make is "Pride" and states that it is 100% pure coconut oil. I just asked Chris to smell it - and he hates the smell of "coconut", but this smells of almost nothing!
It was 55 pence for the bottle, so it's not like I took a huge chance - but I'm guessing that I could have a good 55 pence worth of lip balm, hair conditioner and body moisturiser - if I can just get it out of the bottle! lol

[ocailleagh]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure thats the same one I use from time to time. Although its 70p at my local shop!
For small amounts, say for my lips, I usually just stick my finger straight into the bottle, til the oil is beyond reach at least. For larger amounts, you'll need to stand the bottle in a bowl of hot water til enough has melted.

[Wombat]

Hey Gang!

It is good for making soap, it helps the soap lather and 100% coconut oil soap will lather in sea water. But it is very high in saturated fat so you should be careful using it for edible purposes!

Nev

[Milims]

I knew you'd know what to do Nev! i also bought some of the olive oil pomade (sp?) and I was wondering about the soap making recipe you mentioned while you were here

[pogostemon]

Funny you should say that - I'm having real bother with chapped lips right now - so guess whats going on them!
The one I bought is most certainly solid in a bottle with a gold coloured top. The make is "Pride" and states that it is 100% pure coconut oil. I just asked Chris to smell it - and he hates the smell of "coconut", but this smells of almost nothing!
It was 55 pence for the bottle, so it's not like I took a huge chance - but I'm guessing that I could have a good 55 pence worth of lip balm, hair conditioner and body moisturiser - if I can just get it out of the bottle! lol

Yep that's the one I usually use or you can find it in bigger jars from KTC - which works out cheaper for me as a soapmaker.
When I worked in a wholefood shop I had an 80 year old customer who bought it to use as a moisturiser for using after her daily swim. Given that she looked terrific with great skin I'd say the swimming and the oil were working out pretty well for her
She also had used it on her children and grandchildren instead of a well known baby oil which was mineral based - so that's another great use
If you but virgin coconut oil then it will have a coconutty smell but it is expensive and way beyond my pocket right now so i'll stick with my bargain buy instead.
I warm mine on the back of the range or in the airing cupboard but a water bath will work fine too.
Pogo

[the.fee.fairy]

I use it on my dog. He is short haired and gets dry skin, so after a bath, i rub it all over him, and he looks shiny and lovely! Secretly...i think he enjoys the attention...

I bought kilos if it for soapmaking, and made some lovely soaps too!

I tried using it as moisturiser, but it didn't sink in very easily, but i do use it on the ends of my hair. I've got waist length dyed hair, so to protect the ends and look after them, i use coconut oil on them. just a drop or two (when melted) when my hair's damp.

[Wombat]

I knew you'd know what to do Nev! i also bought some of the olive oil pomade (sp?) and I was wondering about the soap making recipe you mentioned while you were here

Hey Helen!
I'll have a look around and try and find it, it's almost time for me to make a new batch anyway


BTW haven't forgotten about the postcards, just having trouble finiding good ones!

Nev