Coconut Oil : for the Winter Skin and Hair Blahs

One of the best ways to fight winter dryness is shampooing less often or washing with conditioner only. This method helps hair from being stripped of its nutrients. For dry, itchy, scalp, apply a small amount of a light oil prior to blowing dry, or even when air drying. This method can even be used during warmer months. Personal water consumption also plays a huge factor in how our hair and scalp responds to seasonal changes.

         Coconut oil, a healthy fat, is all the rage lately. Not only can it be used in the kitchen for cooking, but it can also be incorporated in our daily beauty routine to deeply hydrate hair and skin, and act as a skin moisturizer. Coconut oil is antimicrobial, so it helps eliminate dandruff and can be used as a non-toxic, natural makeup remover.

         To use coconut oil as a deep conditioner for damaged hair, heat a small amount of coconut oil until warm (not too hot), and then massage generously into the hair and scalp. Comb through and wash, or leave it in overnight for best results.

         There are myriad coconut oils on the market, and many are commercially processed, so choose carefully. One small-batch “craft” brand is Skinny, a tree-to-table line that’s 100 percent organic, pure, raw, vegan, alkaline coconut oil. The manufacturer claims the ingredients are pure enough to eat. This company produces hair oils, as well as body scrubs that can be used as an exfoliant, and also are a treat for the senses, as the scrub product tastes and smells like cookies.

Lori Goldstein is the owner of Organic Roots Eco Salon, in Skokie, an organic salon that offers organic hair care and vegan nail services, at 3417 Dempster St. For appointments, call 847-423-2653 or visit OrganicRootsEcoSalon.com. See ad on page 44.