The adoption of coconut oil into my body care regime began out of desperation about a year ago. I had just gone for my regular waxing treatment, and I came home to discover that the specific moisturiser I always used post-wax had run out.

My skin tends to get uncomfortably itchy and inflamed if I don’t moisturise immediately after waxing, and the thought of spending four days in that state definitely did not appeal.

So as most people do, I turned to the Internet.

And from the myriad suggestions both plausible and crazy (I have no desire to ever rub sheep placenta on my skin!), I came across the recommendation to use virgin coconut oil.

Coconut oil has been gathering quite a reputation lately for its health benefits, particularly amongst wellness and alternative healing exponents who tout it for everything from weight-loss to cancer prevention.

Most proponents of the trend recommend consuming it, either as an oil for cooking or by directly drinking a certain amount every day. I’ve viewed much of this with scepticism, chalking it up to the same kind of brouhaha that erupts every so often over the next new superfood, from quinoa to kale.

As with many health food trends, many of the miraculous benefits associated with consuming coconut oil—that it raises good cholesterol, has antioxidant properties, or increases fat-burning—still remain inconclusive.

I did remember, however, how my grandmother used to religiously apply coconut oil to her hair and skin once a week—I even submitted to the same treatment sullenly as a child, at least until I was old enough to rebel with modern moisturisers. And unlike some cream or lotion that I’d never tried before, coconut oil seemed to come with relatively few issues when it comes to skin sensitivity.

Among the benefits coconut oil is said to have when used topically, are:

It is a natural moisturiser and emollient, with no additives, preservatives, or other harsh chemicals.
It has naturally occurring anti-bacterial properties.
It soothes irritated skin.

With few other options—and the fact that I already had a bottle of virgin coconut oil in my cupboard—I decided to give the idea a go.

Within a few minutes of applying the oil, my skin was already feeling less irritated and inflamed. Within a couple of days of use, I found my waxed skin much softer and more comfortable than I ever remembered it being. I also found the oil much easier to apply and it left a cooling, soothing feel.

Our Verdict: Fad Or Fab?

Fab! I have since given up my expensive “special moisturiser”, and now rely completely on coconut oil for my post-wax moisturising. I even use it generally for my skin and hair on days when I don’t plan on going out, since the oil can leave a bit of a residue sometimes—but totally worth it for how soft it leaves your skin and hair after a shower. So while I can’t vouch for the fad of consuming coconut oil, I would definitely recommend it for topical use—and I have a feeling that, somewhere, my grandmother is looking at me rather smugly!

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