Skincare Archives - My Inner Shakti

Drunk Elephant Daytime and Nighttime Skincare Routines

I’ve been raving about Drunk Elephant (DE) for a while now and finally managed to get a post together with my thoughts on the products I own. Yahoo!

Ok, first things first. DE products are expensive. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. However, as someone who’s never invested in a real skincare routine, I can say it’s 100% worth it to do so.

My overall take on the DE skincare line is that it’s one that could work for everyone. I love the founder’s perspective about there being no skin types and how we create issues by using products with harsh ingredients (and obviously diet plays a huge role as well) or the suspicious six as DE calls them. I’ll share more on this philosophy in a minute.

With that being said, let me share how and why I got hooked on DE.

I believe it was August of last year when I bought the DE C-Firma day serum and TLC Framboos (nighttime) serum. After talking to my friend Thea (also my beauty/skincare guru) about how they work and what they’re good for, I decided to give them a shot. Then, when I started using Differin, I had to give up the nighttime serum. Fast forward to April when I decided to take a huge leap of faith and transition over to all DE products, giving up the Differin.

It was a good choice!

Like I shared in my postpartum acne journey post, I’m obsessed with DE. While my skin still has a ways to go, these products have definitely helped in several ways – tone, texture, appearance of acne, appearance of dark spots, etc. I can’t wait to see where continued use will get me!

Ok, enough blabbering. Here are my favorite DE products grouped according to my daytime and nighttime skincare routines…

DAYTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE

Thea told me about how you’re not really supposed to wash your face in the morning (something to do with your skin’s acid mantel). Well, after reading more about this concept, I now solely rinse my face with cold water in the morning.

The first products I use are a pump of the C-Firma Vitamin C serum and a pump of the Protini Polypeptide Cream. I mix the two together in the palm of my hand (all of the products can be mixed together before application) and apply to my face and neck.

Before applying my makeup, I take a small amount of the Umbra Tinte Physical Defense SPF and apply to my face and neck. On weekends, when I don’t want to wear a ton of makeup but have places to go and people to see (haha), I’m starting to use the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum for that extra sun kissed glow. I mix it with the Umbra tint SPF along with a couple of drops of the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil before carefully applying it to my face and neck. Seriously you guys, these products work so well together and give my [acne] scarred face an even look and feel.

NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE

I start my nighttime routine by washing my face. I still use the Dessert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash because it does a great job of removing my makeup and creating a clean base for the other products.

I then apply one pump of the TLC Framboos serum and one pump of the LaLa Retro Whipped Cream (mixed together of course!) to my face. If I feel like my skin could use a little extra love, I add a drop or two of the Marula Oil to the mix as well.

I haven’t tried DE’s under eye creams yet but plan to in the future. I’m still finishing up the belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb sample I got a while back (a little goes a long way).

I also apply some Aquaphor to my lips and some castor oil to my eyebrows.

That’s it!

WHY I LOVE EACH OF THESE PRODUCTS

Now that I’ve shared what I use, how I use it, and when I use it, let me tell you more about why I love this brand and these particular products.

First and foremost, everything is made without using the suspicious six ingredients – 1. silicones, 2. chemical screens, 3. sensitizing colorants/perfumes, 4. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) 5. essential oils, 6. drying alcohols. This alone makes DE a great line for most everyone.

Secondly, the packaging is not only beautiful and sleek, but it serves a purpose. For example, a lot of brands package their Vitamin C serum in clear bottles, whereas DE packages their serum in a non-opaque white bottle with a pump (not a dropper). Additionally, their moisturizers also come in containers with airless pumps to ensure you’re not ‘double dipping’ so to speak. It keeps everything super clean.

Ok, on to the products themselves. You can read about the ‘technical’ details by clicking on the product links, but I’m going to share more of my personal take.

C-Firma Vitamin C serum – I really feel that by using this serum on an almost daily my skin is brighter and more glowy. This is also the product I attribute to my more even skin tone. Again, I still have a ways to go, but C-Firma is definitely giving my skin life!

TLC Framboos serum – This exfoliating serum is what I like to call my ‘keep breakouts away’ serum. Even though it’s not technically marketed for that. I love how I wake up to smoother skin when applying this the night before.

Protini Polypeptide Cream – This moisturizer is marketed as a shot of protein for your skin. Personally, I love using this during the day because it’s so light and does a great job of prepping my skin for SPF and makeup. It’s also not greasy at all.

LaLa Retro Whipped Cream – This is probably one of my DE favorites! I love love love this moisturizer. It’s thicker than Protini but still super airy. It’s made with 6 African oils and is honestly a dream! My skin has never been smoother and so hydrated. LOVE!

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil – This is another favorite of mine! I love adding this to any of my mixes for that extra glow, moisture and softness. It’s also great on the lips and under the eyes. There’s nothing this Marula Oil can’t do!

Umbra Tinte Physical Defense SPF– Ah! Another favorite. This SPF is so perfect under makeup or on it’s own. It doesn’t leave any white residue on your skin. The formula is super light and creamy, and the tint aspect is awesome. I’ve heard many different skin tones can use this and it works well on everyone. Truly universal!

D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum– This is DE’s newest product, and what I personally love is that when mixed (2 pumps for me!) with the SPF and Marula Oil, it truly gives my skin an even finish and a sun kissed glow. No joke! I used this as my ‘base’ when we got our professional pictures taken and loved how my skin looked ALL DAY! Not to mention all the other benefits.

PRODUCTS I’VE TRIED BUT DON’T USE OFTEN

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel – So this hydration gel can be used with any of the other products to give your skin more intense/long lasting hydration. Given the price point of everything else, I find this one unnecessary in my routine right now. I find the other moisturizer do an amazing job of keep my skin smooth and balanced.

TLC Sukari Babyfacial – This bad boy is an award winning resurfacing facial ‘treatment.’ People RAVE about this product. I want to love it so bad, but I find that after I use this my skin goes haywire. It looks more irritated and bumpy. Thea mentioned that this may be too strong for me, so I even tried mixing it with a pump of Lala before applying. No go! I may reduce my use of this to once a month (I was using it once a week before) and see if that helps.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW/CONSIDER

If you’re a cheapo (like me initially), there is a way for you to try all of these products before committing to full size versions. DE sells a kit called “The Littles” to give people a chance to try a lot of their line at a $90 price point. And from everything I’ve read, the set should last you 4-5 weeks if not longer.

While you should always consult with your doctor before starting something new, all of DE’s products are safe to use during pregnancy with the exception of the Babyfacial.

If you have ‘damaged’ skin like me, real results will take time. I’ve been using DE products consistently for over 2 months, and while my skin has improved for sure, it still has a ways to go. It’ll happen…be patient (says the least patient person in the world!).

If you’re really serious about cleaning up your routines, be sure to research and look into the ingredient lists of everything else you put on your face, including other creams, cleansers, make up products, etc. Personally, I still use a few ‘suspicious’ products like blush, powder, and bronzer, but I plan to do more research and try safer brands.

I think that about covers it! If you have any questions, shoot me and email or leave a comment below.

No portion of this post is sponsored. However, affiliate links are included (minus the DE links – those all directly link back to the DE website). There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

My Postpartum Acne Journey – the Not So Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

written by Parita 1 Comment

The postpartum period is hard. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Along with trying to figure out how to keep your little human alive, you’re faced with so many changes in such a short period of time. Looking back, it all goes by so quickly, but don’t get me wrong, when you’re in the thick of it, the days feel like years. Ha!

One of the things I dealt with almost immediately was postpartum acne. While my skin remained fairly clear during pregnancy, specifically during my second and third trimesters, as soon as Kaiden was born, things went haywire. Because of how everything went down, I wasn’t immediately able to give my skin the attention it deserved. Or at least the wash it deserved, so maybe I have a part to play in the initial flareups, but what came days and months later definitely felt more hormonal.

In the days that followed, my stress levels ebbed and flowed, my emotions were a bit all over the place, etc. Combine that with my newfound pumping hobby, and you have a hormonal hot mess new mom who’s face looked like it did about 20 years prior.

I won’t go into every detail, but trust me when I say, my skin went from not so good, to bad, to ugly. So much so that I refused to be in pictures with Kaiden. I’d always want to stay behind the camera.

I tried lots of different things to control my breakouts – topical medicines/creams, dietary changes, LOTS and LOTS of water, etc. Nothing seemed to work. In fact, it just kept getting worse.

Me. Everyday for about seven months.

Fast forward to the end of this past January. Vishnu sat me down (probably after I cried to him about how ugly I felt) and made me see the light – I needed to see a dermatologist. I was so resistant to this idea because I didn’t want to be on the ‘typical’ acne drugs again. And given that I had a horrible experience with a dermatologist in Miami, I was scared a visit (and the subsequent ‘treatment plan’) would end up making things worse.

I somewhat hesitantly made the appointment. I wish I could say that the doctor I saw solved all my problems. She didn’t. She wanted me to use a cream that would cost us $500 a month along with an oral medication. Although, she did confirm that my acne was hormonal.

I then decided to make an appointment with a NP I absolutely love at my gynecologist’s office. We talked about my options, and after lots of discussion (with her, Vishnu, my sister, my mom, friends, etc.), I decided to go back on birth control and use OTC Differin as well.

This was not an easy decision for me by any means. In fact, the last thing I wanted to do was go back on birth control. What I wanted was to be able to control my hormonal acne in a more natural way.

With all of that being said, I will say that the birth control has helped immensely. My skin, while not perfect by any means, looks 110% better. The painful flareups are no longer present, and the overall condition of my skin is also slowly improving. I used the Differin for about three weeks and am now only using Drunk Elephant (DE) products as my topical agents if you will.

You guys, I LOVE DE. I’m hoping one day I can transition off of birth control and continue just with DE and have clear skin for life (a girl can dream, right!?). But honestly, it’s a brand I’m 100% behind and can’t wait to share more in my next post.

Stay tuned…

Pregnancy Acne + Herbivore’s Blue Tansy Face Mask

written by Parita 10 Comments

After the initial excitement of finding out we were pregnant settled in, one of my very first thoughts was, “Oh man, how is pregnancy going to affect my skin? Will pregnancy acne take over my life?!” I’m not even going to lie…the thought freaked me out! As someone who’s dealt with varying degrees of acne, from mild to painfully extreme, I expected the worst.

Dun…dun…dun…

…during the majority of my first trimester, my skin remained clear. To the point where I thought something was wrong. Ha!

Then when I started travelling a bit more in December, I realized that clear skin for the duration of my pregnancy was not going to be a thing. Unfortunately, my acne issues reappeared at the onset of my second trimester. I remember thinking, “Here we go. My skin is going to erupt, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.” Luckily, it didn’t “erupt!” Sure, I had a few bumps here and there, but it was nothing compared to what I’ve experienced in the past.

I kept up with my pre-pregnancy skincare routine (minus the Instanatural Skin Clearing Serum, as it contains retinol) because it really does help to keep flare ups to a minimum, while also drinking as much water as possible. I was honestly nervous to change up my routine while pregnant. I didn’t know if a new product would throw everything off and make it worse…

…but then I threw caution to the wind after talking to my friend Thea about my skincare woes and bought a new face mask, the Herbivore Blue Tansy mask to be precise.

I asked for Thea’s expert advice on what skincare brands would be good/well suited for my pregnant skin. I wanted to try something that was natural and free of all the yucky stuff. Thea is full of knowledge when it comes to the best brands for different skin types, so when she recommended Herbivore and the Blue Tansy mask, I read more about the brand and the mask itself and decided to go for it.

You can read all about the ingredients and what the mask is supposed to do here. I want to share how the mask has impacted my skin.

First of all, when you read the reviews (on pretty much any site), you’ll see phrases like “holy grail” and “best product ever.” If you’re anything like me, this will take your already skeptical opinion to another level. But they’ll draw you in at the same time!

I want to preface my opinion of this mask by saying that I’ve tried A LOT of skincare products targeted towards acne prone skin.. And I feel like I have a good handle on what works and what doesn’t. With that being said, this stuff definitely works!

Here’s what I particularly love about this mask:

It helps calm and balance my skin – bumps, redness, all of it.
While it doesn’t actively prevent breakouts (at least for me), any existing bumps definitely disappear more quickly than usual after using this mask.
My dark spots are getting lighter with every use. I’m not totally in the clear, but it’s helping in a big way.
By looking at my skin, you wouldn’t know we’re in the middle of a chilly winter. With the regular use of this mask, my skin is smoother…no flakiness.
I feel like my moisturizer works 10x better than it used to. It’s like my skin is a brand new sponge that can’t get enough!
BONUS – This product smells so good! It has an herby scent, which lets me know that my skin is in for a natural treat.

The final point I want to make is that the price tag for this product may seem a bit steep at first. BUT as Thea would say, think of price per use. I’ve been using this mask for close to two months now, and I’m not even half way through. When you do the math, it’s not bad at all!

The bottom line comes down to the fact that my pregnancy acne isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. And investing in good, clean products is always a good idea…pregnant or not.

Your turn – do you use masks regularly? What’s your favorite brand?

New Skincare Products – Grape Seed Oil + Instanatural Skin Clearing Serum + Dove Bar Soap

written by Parita 14 Comments

My last skincare post was about the new-to-me Instanatural Scar Gel and how it basically saved my face. My acne went from plentiful and painful to occasional and short-lived.

While a few things have changed since that post, my love for the scar gel and Instanatural in general has not. In fact, I now have another favorite product. But before I talk more about that, let me share the backstory.

Between early-January and mid-February, my skin started breaking out again. Not the way it did in February 2014, but more than it had in a while. No bueno! My diet + stress levels + general environment hadn’t changed much, so I was a little confused. Why was my skin doing this to me out of the blue?!

That’s when I decided that a change of some sort was in order. So the experimenter in me did a bit of research and decided to change things up a little and try a few new products.

New product #1 – Dove Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin

A while back, my mom/dad’s dermatologist mentioned how he recommends Dove Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin to all of his patients and especially to those who experience acne. When my mom told me this, I shook my head in disbelief. I mean, how could Dove Bar Soap help with my horrendous acne?!

A year or so later, a good friend of mine mentioned Dove again and said that it really helped clear up her skin. That’s just not for me, I thought!

Not sure what changed in February, but after doing some Googling, I decided to give it a try. So I now I only use a bar soap to wash my face. Who would’ve thought?!

Note – I still love the Desert Essence face wash I used for years.

New product #2 – Grape Seed Oil (I use a different oil right now but will be getting this one next time.)

When I decided to switch to Dove Bar Soap as my face wash, I realized that while its gentle on the skin and all that, it wouldn’t be able to remove all of my makeup. So back to Google I went, and that’s when I came across grape seed oil and how it can be used as a makeup remover. As I read more, I came to learn that due to its non-comedogenic properties grape seed oil is great for acne prone skin. And that got me thinking about using it as my go to moisturizer.

Anyway, I ordered a bottle, and when it came in, I got to work. First of all, I needed to see if it worked as a makeup remover. All I did was pour a nickle sized amount into one palm, rubbed the oil between my hands, and then massaged my face for a good minute or so. I then took a wet washcloth and gently used that to remove the oil. You guys! It worked. My washcloth was a hot mess, but my makeup came off! I finished the routine with a little Dove Bar Soap action and was good to go!

Then I had to decide exactly how to use the oil as a moisturizer. I decided that in the PM I would apply 2-3 drops along with a small amount of my Cerave moisturizing cream to my face. And in the AM, I would only use one drop along with a small amount of Cerave.

New product #3 – Instanatural Skin Clearing Serum

I originally ordered this not for it’s skin clearing properties but because it claims to help with anti-aging as well. I figured it was about time I started using something to help with that!

How does this play into your routine, Parita? How many products do you even use?

Fair enough! This is the first product I apply after washing my face. Then comes the scar gel (only on my scars). Then comes the tea tree oil (only on existing acne). And then comes the grape seed oil + moisturizer. See, not that complicated at all! 🙂

RESULTS!

I purposely didn’t talk about how these products are working for me individually because I made all three of these changes around the same time, so it’s impossible to tell how one thing is working in isolation.

Overall, I LOVE each of these products, and the changes are in fact working (fingers crossed!). Not only is my skin clearer but my dark spots are also fading. I read somewhere that grape seed oil can help with this issue but who knows. And any new acne that I do get goes away within a day or two as long as I stay consistent with the routine.

An additional benefit is that my skin is a lot smoother than it has been in the past. I know this because my makeup just glides on now…no more rough, dry patches! My skin looks/feels consistently moisturized and “glowy” (small amounts of grape seed oil will not cause your skin to look greasy!!).

Over the years, I’ve blogged A LOT about my acne prone skin and the different products I’ve tried. All I can say is that (for now) these products are reallyreallyreally working for me.

Tell me about any new products you’ve tried and loved recently!

No portion of this post is sponsored. However, there are a few Amazon affiliate links included. There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

The BEST Bug Spray | Me & a Tree – Bug Off!

written by Parita 15 Comments

This is not a sponsored post. Aside from my urgent tweets about how quickly they could get me their bug spray, the owners of Me & a Tree have no clue who I am!

My love affair (yes, it’s that serious) with this company and their magical bug spray started back when we lived in Miami. Vishnu and I walked by the Saturday farmer’s market and decided to check it out. The Me and a Tree stall stood out to me because of the huge variety of soy candles. I started chatting with the individual manning the stall and she slowly but surely introduced me to all of the other products.

The bug spray grabbed my attention right away as it was summertime in Miami and the mosquitoes are quite vicious, especially at night. The lady told me that she used it in the Amazon rain forest and didn’t get bit once. With a claim to fame like that, I figured it was worth a try.

This spray was good. I used it whenever we went out to dinner, and the bugs really did stay away.

The real test came when we headed to India a couple of months later. You guys, I was the only one in my family who didn’t get bit!!! I offered my spray to everyone, but they were convinced that only Off would work in India. Umm…they were 100% wrong!

I also used this spray in Puerto Rico and didn’t get bit at all.

So the proof was in the pudding. This spray worked on non-US mosquitoes!

Fast forward to January 24, 2016. I was freaking out a little about my upcoming trip to Panama because of the Zika outbreak. I wanted to be fully prepared in terms of bug repellents. I bought some all natural spray at Target along with the Bugables bracelets. However, I could not help but feel like I needed the Me and a Tree spray (I ran out a while back). It worked in three different locations around the world, so it would surely work in Panama, right?

Well, the only way to find out was to order a couple of bottles and take them with me. I tweeted back and forth with the company because I didn’t know if the standard shipping would get them to me in time. The owner responded right away and assured me they would. And lo and behold, they did!

As you guys know, I didn’t get bit at all while in Panama. Again, I’m not sure if that’s because there weren’t any mosquitoes or because the spray kept them away. Either way, I used this every time I stepped out of the hotel. I sprayed it on any bare skin, inside my shoes, and on my clothes. A bit much I know but better safe than sorry.

The awesome thing about this spray is that it’s natural and made with essential oils and water (and a couple of other things), so it’s safe on the skin (and clothes) and smells amazing (kind of earthy/herby but also very fresh and clean). No need to worry about unnecessary chemicals! I had a few of my colleagues hooked on it as well!

If you’re looking for an amazing bug spray that really works, this is it. I have honestly never been more amazed with a product. And you better believe I’m stocking up with a few (more like 10) bottles myself!

NOTE: I absolutely love this spray and recommend it wholeheartedly. However, please don’t take my positive recommendation as an absolute. Always take adequate precautions when heading out in mosquito (or any bug for that matter) season!

InstaNatural Scar Gel + My New Skincare Routine

written by Parita 15 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about my acne dilemmas. And there’s a very good reason for that. Over the past 3ish months, my acne has gone from prominent and painful to nearly nonexistent.

Yes, that’s correct! I have (for the time being at least) cured my face of constant breakouts. Of course, I’m still prone to the occasional pimple here and there, but it’s not a regular thing anymore! And the pimples I do get disappear in days versus weeks.

I honestly don’t know what to attribute this wonderful and exciting development to. My mom and Vishnu think it’s because I’ve been working on reducing my stress levels. Personally, I think it’s due in part to that and in part to my new skincare routine. And in particular, a new product I added to my regimen – the InstaNatural Scar Gel.

Before I tell you all about this magical potion, I have to share how I came across it.

At the end of May, Vishnu suggested I use Mederma (a scar lightener) on the scars I have on my legs from the Tough Mudder race I ran last year. I said I would look into it but never did (oops!). When he realized this, he took matters into his own hands and did a little research on scar gels/creams. That’s how he came across InstaNatural. And without telling me, he bought a bottle.

When it finally arrived in early June, I asked Vishnu if he thought I could use it on my face too. Ultimately, I decided to give it a try (because why not?!) and started with a couple of the more prominent scars on my face. Over time, I started applying a thin layer to my entire face. And I kid you not when I say that it has made all the difference in the world. Not only are my scars (both new and old) fading, but my skin is smoother and brighter than ever before.

You guys know I’ve tried everything under the sun to address my acne – I took antibiotics and used a prescription grade cream, I tried going dairy-free, I used Proactiv, and we can’t forget about my ACV fiasco. And this is just scratching the surface. I’ve been experimenting for YEARS! And now, I have finally found something that is the real deal (for me)!

InstaNatural Scar Gel is made with Epidermal Growth Factor which helps speed the healing process. It also includes green tea, moisturizers, etc. Whatever it is, it’s truly magical! And while the price point compared to the size of the bottle is on the higher end of the spectrum, I can vouch for the fact that the product goes a LONG way. I’ve had the same bottle for almost four months.

The gel itself is light brown in color and has a runny but spreadable consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. I use one full pump for my entire face. Some reviewers say the smell is off putting, but I honestly don’t smell anything at all.

Here’s exactly how I incorporate it into my skincare routine

My New AM Skincare Routine

Wash my face with Desert Essence Thoroughly Clear Face Wash
Apply a thin layer of InstaNatural Scar Gel to my entire face
Dab a drop of Tea Tree Oil to any existing bumps (and ONLY to those areas)
Apply two pumps of Trader Joe’s Oil-Free Moisturizer to my entire face

My New PM Skincare Routine

My PM skincare routine mirrors the above with one small change. Instead of using the Trader Joe’s Moisturizer, I apply a nickel sized amount of the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry/Sensitive Skin to my entire face before bed.

Clarification – I also use coconut oil every PM around my eyes, on my eyebrows, and on my lips.

I’ve been taking pictures of my face to monitor the progress, and if I wasn’t such a wuss, I’d share them with you guys! But trust me when I say that my skin on June 12 looks completely different than it does now. In fact, when I went home this past weekend, my sister thought I was wearing makeup when I wasn’t! If that’s not something, then I don’t know what is!

I’ll post an update in a few months to share how this new product and routine are going. Fingers crossed that I don’t have to add this to my long list of acne experiment failures!

Let me know if you decide to try this scar gel. While I can’t guarantee that it’ll be just as life changing for everyone, I do think it’s worth a try!

No portion of this post is sponsored! However, there are a few affiliate links sprinkled throughout. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

5 Ways to Incorporate Coconut Oil into Your Beauty Routine

written by Parita 20 Comments

Coconut oil has been trending for a while now. It’s pretty much the magical cure for everything it seems.

Personally, I cook a lot of my dishes using coconut oil. I also love coconut oil hair masks. I even gave oil pulling a chance (sadly, it wasn’t for me)!

So yeah, you name it and coconut oil can probably do it!

Aside from using it on my hair, I had yet to incorporate coconut oil into my beauty routine. As you all know, my skin is super sensitive and prone to breakouts. I was terrified that the oil would cause my skin to freak out, so I never used it on my face. Until recently that is.

After reading a countless number of articles and blog posts, I decided that I should at the very least give coconut oil a chance in the beauty/skincare department. And to my surprise, most people reported that it didn’t break them out.

So off I went to Trader Joe’s to pick up some of their organic coconut oil. For one thing, I wanted to keep my cooking oil and my beauty oil completely separate. Also, Trader Joe’s oil (when you buy it in store) is super affordable for the quality you get – virgin, organic, unrefined, and cold-pressed. And these are all must haves when considering what brand of coconut oil to buy.

With that being said, here’s how I’ve incorporated coconut oil into my beauty routine…

1. Lip balm – Every night before I go to bed, I rub a tiny bit of coconut oil onto my lips. It does feel a little strange at first, but when I wake up in the morning, my lips are super soft. And believe it or not, they stay that way pretty much throughout the day. LOVE!

2. Eyebrows – Not sure if any of you can relate, but my eyebrow hairs shed. And it’s only getting worse with age! So when I read that coconut oil stimulates hair growth, I decided to start applying a tiny dab to my eyebrows. I haven’t been doing it long enough to see a difference, but I figure it can’t hurt! And this is part of my nighttime routine as well.

3. Under eye area – Earlier this year, I started researching anti-aging creams. Even though I’ve been spared up until now, you never know when those crows feet will pop up. But because I was dealing with acne issues for the first half of this year, I put all the anti-aging stuff on the back burner. And then I read that coconut oil is a great natural anti-aging solution. Basically, I rub a tiny amount under and around each eye before bed. Again, I haven’t been using it long enough to notice a difference, but hopefully it keeps those wrinkles away!

4. Eye makeup remover – Eye makeup remover has never been a part of my beauty routine. My everyday face wash and good old fashioned water seemed to do the trick. And while any traces of makeup appeared to be gone, I always woke up with itchy dry eyes the next morning. And then I started using coconut oil as an eye makeup remover (massage a small amount directly on to eyelids and surrounding area and wash away with normal face wash and water). It magically melts away all my makeup, AND I wake up to normal eyes!

5. Body moisturizer – Did you know that when applied to the skin, coconut oil absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave an oily residue? Me neither. And that’s why I never bothered to use it as a moisturizer. Eventually, like everything else on this list, I decided to give it a go. I work from home, so even if I looked like a grease monkey, no one would see me. Lo and behold, coconut oil is an amazing overall moisturizer. Like I said, it’s not greasy, it smells amazing, and it leaves my skin feeling soft and silky. I’m sold! Just be sure to use a nickel sized amount at a time.

So as you can see, coconut oil truly does do it all! You can cook with it, you can use it as a mouthwash (if you wish), and you can most definitely incorporate it into your everyday beauty routine.

What’s your favorite way to use coconut oil?