You know I work with women, right? Well sometimes I have to try things out and being a man, that’s not always easy!
Take moisturising for instance. Years ago, you would never hear of a man applying a cream onto his face in order to smooth out his wrinkles!
But modern man can get away with it. There are thousands of moisturisers for men on the market. Times have changed so much that you can now openly go into a chemist and ask for a good moisturiser without a snigger coming from the shop assistant!
I remember the time when you had to buy a deodorant with your moisturiser to look less conspicuous at the checkout!
So then…moisturising!
I’ve tried a few, usually the ‘big brands’ but do you know what though? I don’t even know what’s in them? For all I know, I could be spreading sheep dung onto my face!
The worrying thing about these products is that they are not totally natural – they contain chemicals. Basically, you’re rubbing chemicals into your face and I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have wrinkles thanks!
So what to use instead?
Well…
I may have the answer – the Holy Grail of moisturisers!
What is it?
Coconut oil! Specifically, ‘Pure, Unrefined, Cold Pressed, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil’. That sounds like a mouthful but don’t worry, you can buy exactly that. I’ll tell you where a bit later.
But first…
Here are my reasons why I think coconut oil is the future for moisturising (and MANY MORE health benefits)…
“The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer, while helping to improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits of oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.” [organicfacts.net]
It also contains MCTs (Medium Chain Triglycerides) which are easily burned as fuel by the body so a good source when you need energy very quickly plus good for weight loss (as part of the whole picture that is). It may also help in healthy functioning of the thyroid and therefore regulating of hormones.
Back to skin care…
Coconut oil can prevent dryness of the skin and can help with conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. That’s an added bonus for me as I suffered with psoriasis as a child and it may prevent it from returning.
Maybe the best quality is the fact that it may help to prevent premature ageing!!!! Have we found the Holy Grail of skin care products?!
I’m willing to try!
So, where can you buy good quality coconut oil?
I’ve attached a photo of the one that I buy and it’s from Carrington Farms. But I didn’t have to travel to the USA to get it. Fortunately, it’s available in Costco, which is next to the Metrocentre. I’m sure there are other health food stores that stock it.
Don’t buy any old coconut oil though. Make sure it’s ‘Pure, Unrefined, Cold Pressed, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil’.
Oh and you can use it for cooking – in curry, stir fry dishes, porridge, yogurt…the list is endless.
I’m off to smother my face and (maybe) body in the stuff and I’ll be glowing like a beacon in a few short days!