Over the last couple of months, I’ve been struggling with excessively dry skin. I’m talking about the type of dry where the skin is ashy, cracked and hurts because it’s so tight! Even after slathering on body butters, lotions, oils … still dry as the Sahara, ashy and hurtful!! I know that the change to cold weather results in less humidity and dryer inside air caused by heated cars and houses. However, I also know that I didn’t experience this last year and, I think that a large part of it was related to my lack of water consumption over the last two months (which I rectified 2 weeks ago).
Regardless of my water issues, I was still getting aggravated that the natural oils and butters weren’t helping the situation. It seemed to me that they just sat on top of my skin rather than penetrating to moisturize it. And even leaving water on my skin before applying the oils and butters to seal it in didn’t seem to work! It seems that the only thing that provides any lasting relief (meaning through the work day) was my Vaseline Intensive Care. But, I’ve been trying to get away from commercial products with parabens and synthetic ingredients and incorporate more natural products into my skincare. So, I have decided to try something that I love with all my heart for hair and that Wei uses religiously for his body (he calls it, “juices and berries,” and his skin is like butta!! *lol*). You guessed it!! COCONUT OIL!! (It really wasn’t too difficult to figure out, was it? *lol* ;))
The weekend before last, I scoped out organic unrefined virgin coconut oil (VCO) on sale at my local health food store. It was far cheaper than the same brand at my local Shop-rite. So, we hit up the spot this past Saturday.
$14.99 for 29 ounces!!
Yeahhhh … we got two. LOL. Next, I went to the essential oil (EO) section and as I looked for something that might mix well with the coconut oil. I have lavender, rosemary, cedarwood and thyme EO at home, but those were not scents that I relished. As I was perusing the offerings, a store clerk asked me if I needed any help. I told her that I was looking for an EO that would work well in a body oil made with coconut oil. I also told her that I like citrusy smells (I was holding tangerine EO), but I know that some EOs can be irritating to the skin. She then proceeded to recommend maychang. I’d never heard of it before, but took a whiff from a tester and loved it! I was sold and after picking up a few more things, including lunch, we paid for our goods!!
On Sunday, I pulled out my dusty mixtress cap and got to work (if you can even call it that!). First, I scooped out some coconut oil and filled up a 1/2 c. plastic container. Then, I microwaved a cup of water and dumped it into a pot into which I placed the plastic container.
The burner is NOT lit.
After several minutes, most of the oil melted and I poured it into a small travel bottle. I added about 4-5 drops of the Maychang EO, shook up the bottle and then repeated the process to make a full bottle of scented body oil.
Halfway done!
Now, the thing is, coconut oil goes hard at room temp or colder. Out of habit, Wei always throws his bottle of oil in the shower with him to melt it. But, I know that I will forget to do that and end up being mad and frustrated as heck trying to get it melt when I’m trying to get out the door for work. Well, fortunately for me, I came across this post on Saturday: RevitaliseYourHealth.com – 25 Magical Things to Make with Coconut Oil (Note: registration may be required). It had links to all of these great coconut oil recipes for body, hair and health!! The first was a super simple recipe was for a coconut oil “whip” that the writer made to deal with the issue of coconut oil hardening! It only contained 1 required ingredient (coconut oil, obviously ;)) and 2 optional ones! I was SOLD!
What you need:
1 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
a few drops of your favorite essential oils for fragrance (optional)What to do:
1. Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl. (You do not have to melt the coconut oil first.)
2. Mix on high speed with a wire whisk for 6-7 minutes or until whipped into a light, airy consistency.
3. Spoon the whipped coconut oil body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly. Store at room temperature, or in the refrigerator if your house is so warm it melts the oil.
I had my coconut oil, my vitamin E capsules and my EO! So, I pulled out my woefully unused electric hand mixer and got to work. I threw in the cup of coconut oil, the oil from five 400 EU vitamin E capsules, and about a 1/4 c. of shea butter … just because. I set the time on my microwave for 7 minutes and whipped the ingredients on medium to high. The oil and shea butter blended quickly and easily and the 7 minutes flew by. Once I was done with that, I added about 6-7 drops of the maychang EO and blended for another 30 seconds to a minute.
Next, I had to find a glass jar in which to store my lovely whip! All I had was plastic containers! But then, I thought of a source!! I asked Wei to open the fridge and found two small old jars, one filled with pesto (8 oz.) and the other with minced garlic (4.5 oz) that could be discarded. We washed them out with soap, water and then a little white vinegar to kill the smell. I opted to use the bigger pesto container … one, because it was big enough to hold all of the whip; two: because it didn’t smell like garlic *LOL*.
So, now I’m going to admit that I fibbed a little earlier when I said that I hadn’t done ANY Christmas shopping. You see, as I was making the whip, I had a ¤¤¤Brain Blast¤¤¤!!
What a great homemade gift for my 12 direct employees!!! It’s practical, useful, personal, creative and smells good!! But, I needed more small glass jars … and not repurposed ones!! LOL! So, I posted the first pic on IG and asked for ideas on where I could find them! I got lots of great suggestions and decided to go with small mason jars from Walmart or Ace Hardware. I found four packs of 8 ounce mason jars at Walmart for less than $4 each. But, the jars and tops were wide, so I decided to hit Ace to see if their jars were a little smaller in diameter. Well, I found 4 ounce jars in a 12 pack for $8.49 instead! PERFECT!! So, I got those for the gift body whips and plan on returning all but one of the 8 oz. jar 4-packs (I’ll keep one box for my own personal use ;)).
4 oz. jars on either side; 8 oz. jar in the middle
Finally, I got another really cute idea from a young lady on IG and I have some other “additives” for the mixes. But, I don’t want to give it all away! So, you’ll learn the end results of my little DIY Christmas gift project when I finish it! Or, if you just can’t wait, you can read the comments on the IG post here and figure it out ;). But first things first, I need to pick up some more coconut oil!! I learned that I might be able to get a better deal at Trader Joe’s, so I may go there or order it on Amazon! Hmmm, any other suggestions (This would be a good addition to I Found It Cheaper, right?).
Now, wish me luck that now that I’m drinking enough water, my new coconut oil and whip will work to keep my skin moisturized and supple!!
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Do you use coconut oil on your body? Have any advice to maximize the benefits and/or a great recipe to share?
hairscapades 
this is the same recipe used to make the whipped shea butter for hair. I’ve been using this for months now. I tried it with mango butter but it doesn’t stay whipped so I’m going back to using the shea.
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I’ve seen some recipes with mango butter and it seems like it would smell so good. What happens? Does the mango separate or does it get hard?
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Hello Ladies,
I want to pass on a secret that my Mom shared with me as a child for keeping your skin smooth soft and moisturized no matter what the season winter spring summer or fall. I use to use Baby Oil for years but once I dreaded my hair I started making my own oils which usually consist of Olive Oil, Apricot Oil, Coconut Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, EO’s Rosemary, Sage and my favorite EO scent which is Jasmine. I use it on my Dreads as well as my body. The key to ensure that your skin is always baby soft is to put your oil on while your skin is wet. So after your bath put on your oil, after your shower put on your oil. For those of you that don’t like an oily feeling you can softly pat your skin with a thirst towel prior to putting on your clothing. Since I was raised on this theory I don’t take off the excess unless my outfit demands it………….ie I’m wearing something silk or maybe a tight pair of jeans (we love those skinny jeans…………lol) I love the way my. I can tell that I always get compliments on the way my skin feels, and the only time I had a issue with dry skin was during the time that I was stationed in Germany. All I had to do was adjust my recipe (I added more Grape Seed oil) and it was on an popping……lol. If any of you ladies would like my recipe just let me know, I’m more than happy to share it.
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Romaine, I was applying my coconut oil body whip straight out of the shower, doors closed so it stayed steamy … blotting lightly with a towel to leave water on my skin, still, ALLIGATOR SKIN!! I tried a shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, vitamin E oil mix, still dry as the Sahara by the time I got home from work, skin itching/burning when I lay in bed :(. I’m still willing to try other combos though and was going to try grapeseed oil, mineral oil and maybe glycerine. I feel like I may need water in my mix, but that means I’ll need to add a preservative. But, I was thinking first I’d experiment with mineral oil as it’s a great sealant and I was thinking it might help seal in the water and oil. But again, would love to know your erecipe … though, that’s a lot of oils!! LOL!! I’m, like, a three/four ingredients max type of gal unless I already have it in the house! Actually, I may have everything you listed but the sage EO though!! LOL!! So, yeah, recipe please!! LOL!
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I’m hella jelly at your employees tho hah. What a cool gift! Will you also use this recipe for hair or its exclusively for skin?
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LOL!! I’m glad that you like it! I hope that they will too!! I still have to get the coconut oil though!! I’m hitting TJ’s today to pick up several!! Oh, and my intent was just to use it for my skin … but, I’ve used it on my ends a few times too!! LOL!
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This would make a great gift for my extended family!
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That’s what I’m thinking too Tiffany. I’m keeping a few of the larger jars to make some family gifts!!
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I love this! enjoy!!
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Thanks lady!!
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Girl, welcome to my world. I’ve been copping those small vanity Mason jars from Walmart the last 2 years. I use them to store my “Erica butters” (body/hair) and also my DIY body scrubs. They last forever. I use them as gift containers for my Mom, friends and co workers. Coconut, jojoba and avocado oils are my winter holy grails for my skin. I customize them with other oils, but they are my base oils. For my scrubs, I tend to use sugar and white corn meal as exfoliants with my oils. They are ridiculously cheap and just as effective as these expensive body scrubs.
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LOL @ welcome to your world:)! I’ve heard avocado oil is good for hair and skin too. I don’t think they’ll make it in this batch, but I might be experimenting with other oils including that, jojoba and the grapeseed oil that MrsNumbles talks about below!! I’m too lazy to do scrubs, so I use those scrub gloves daily. Feel like I get sufficient exfoliation, though a scrub every now and again would probably do a body good!!
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While visiting a skincare forum I was informed by the ladies there that just like oils and butter don’t moisturize hair they also don’t moisturize the skin just lock in moisture which is probably why the vaseline is the only thing that works for you. They recommended putting on a body butter right after the shower or lotioing with a water based product and sealing just like hair!
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Coconut oil is actually one of the few oils w/a molecule small enough to penetrate the hair cuticle and moisturize from within. That’s why many pre poo w/it. But as to most other oils and butter, yes. That’s why I would apply to damp skin post shower, but the store bought oils and butters still weren’t helping:(. So far, so good w/my whip though!
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You just reminded me of my old winter staple – coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and orange EO! Best thing for me in the winter, hands down. I figured being in a slightly warmer climate now(in London now, but I used to live in Bergen County, NJ – shout out!!!) would negate the need for it, but I just found my first skin crack yesterday and it hurts like an SOB…..so guess where I’m going this weekend? *LOL*Thanks again, however inadvertently!
(Bonus points for the Jimmy Neutron reference!!)
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YES!!!! Thank you for acknowledging my JN reference MrsNumbles!! That made my day that someone got it and mentioned it;). LOL!! The orange oil isn’t irritating to your skin? I was a little afraid that it or lemon EO might be, b/c I thought I recalled reading those oils may cause skin irritation. But, I love citrusy cents, orange, grapefruit, lemon. And Woot, Woot, former New Jerseyan in the house!! Hope that you got to your skin in time!!
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Hi you should try the Orange oil in a little bit of your mixture and test it on your skin to see :0) :0)
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One of the channels I miss most is Nickelodeon – no FairlyOdds over here at all, ugh! *LOL* The orange EO never bothered my skin at all, and I’m allergic to a lot of stuff…probably because it’s so well diluted in the carrier oils. And I finally ended up in a store that sold EOs and I finally saw maychang! It didn’t have a tester so I didn’t get a chance to sniff so I picked up grapefruit this time; love it even more than the orange. And my skin is very happy – it’s keeping away the eczema that likes to crop up behind my knees during the winter, too!
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Don’t sleep on this ladies! I whipped up my own batch, added a couple of things and an alcohol-free vanilla fragrance and it has made my skin (which is ALWAYS dry, even though I lotion up everyday) unbelievably soft and supple. Thank you hairscapades!
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Okay, I’m really going to have to do this soon – thanks for the feedback!
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I know I’m super late to the party, but after seeing this post I’ve been keeping my eye out for low-cost coconut oil. JSYK, I picked up a big ole 58 oz tub of 100% pure, unrefined, organic extra virgin coconut oil at CostCo for $16. Never seen it there before, probably will never be there again.
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Score! I’m going to Costco tomorrow morning, thanks for the tip.
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Pingback: Dry Braid n’ Curl with Coconut Oil Whip « hairscapades
Okay! SO I am going to make this and the flax seed gel cream TODAY on my day off! YAY! I am so excited… I have some rose oil so I am thinking I am going to use that and my hand mixer – the only thing I am missing is the shea butter. 😦 I may have to go out for it, but was wondering if I used some of the oyin handmade whipped pudding in its place would that work??
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This looks great. I’m excited to try it!!
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where did you get the raw african shea butter from?
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