Coconut oil brings to mind tropical beaches, calypso music and beautiful skin. Surprisingly, the fragrant oil we have been rubbing on our bodies to promote a healthy, robust tan has been found to house properties that reduce the effects of the sun. In fact, this beauty care chemical diminishes the appearance of fine lines in the face and hands, and its repertoire stretches from the kitchen to the shower to the makeup table. Valentine’s Day is coming up, so add coconut oil to your beauty regimen and diet for amazing results before the day of love is here.

While this blog is focusing on coconut oil’s beauty benefits, do not overlook how cooking or baking with coconut oil as an ingredient may help the body as well as the skin and hair. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that the brain utilizes as fuel in place of glucose. A small study of patients with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders who used coconut oil as part of their daily regimen found their impairments were more than halted. In fact, they were reversed. While a large-scale study is still in the future, many families find that if this small change in consumption opens their loved ones’ abilities to reason, then why not switch? The cost is minimal, and the results may be extraordinary for the investment you’ve made with your over-the-counter coconut oil purchase.

In the meantime, the switch to cooking with coconut oil will benefit almost everyone because this no-cholesterol alternative to butter is heart healthy and acts as a solid at room temperature. Switching from olive oil to coconut oil is just as simple since the boiling point for coconut oil is quite low because it rapidly changes to an oil with a touch of heat.

Coconut oil is naturally anti-microbial, making it a good fit for your beauty regimen.  Individuals suffering from dermatitis, including eczema, rosacea, acne or any condition that causes skin fragility respond favorably to coconut oil because of its high levels of lauric acid.  Medical studies of eczema patients found that given a cleansing regimen with this beauty care chemical stopped the Staphylococcus bacteria from invading the skin – remarkable news for these sufferers.

Along with its medical advantages, coconut oil also has beauty secrets to share. If your hair is dry, damaged or frizzy, dab a bit of coconut oil on your palm and brush it through your hair at night. In the morning, wash your hair as normal and awaken the natural beauty of your hair.  Keep coconut oil on your dresser or in the bathroom to remove makeup, even long-lasting mascara. After shaving, coconut oil soothes the skin and leaves your legs supple and healthy.

With its myriad of uses, it’s no wonder coconut oil has become popular in the marketplace. Learn more about the healthy, rejuvenating benefits of this beauty care chemical for Valentine’s Day and beyond from Bell Chem.