Going Coconuts for That Winter Glow

Written by Shelsea Montes, IFBB Pro Tuesday, 29 November 2011 18:31

Going Coconuts for That Winter Glow

Coconut oil is packed with health benefits and is used in many wonderful applications including medicinal, industrial, and food preparation.  Growing up in a Puerto Rican family Coconuts have always been a staple in my diet.  I can remember the days of eating fresh coconuts in my Grandma’s backyard and drinking coconut water on the beach in San Juan.  Little did I know then how great coconuts and the oil from it were so for me.  Besides using it with our food, there are other ways to use it to enhance our appearance.  Coconut oil is hydrating for the hair and skin.  The antioxidant properties like Vitamin E found in Coconut oil give it the ability to aid healthy skin growth, reduce skin flaking, cracking, and anti-aging.

As the winter approaches our skin tends to dry out.  It's important to exfoliate regularly to slough off the dry dead skin cells.  I like to use a coconut oil body scrub to achieve that winter glow.  Using the coconut oil body scrub in your bath will leave your skin so moist you won’t need to apply moisturizer after. Having a body scrub treatment at the spa is luxurious, but creating the treatment myself is a lot more affordable and I also know all the ingredients that are going onto my body without risking harmful chemicals.  Here is a simple recipe to make your own homemade Coconut oil body scrub:

What you will need:
- Brown Sugar (I would use a sugar with smaller granules to be more gentle on the skin)
- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (to liquefy the coconut oil, put the jar in a pot of hot water)
- Essential Oils (for fragrance - check out the benefits of different kinds to see what is best for your skin type)
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Loofah or loofah mits

Make it Happen:

1.You want 1-part oil to 2-parts sugar.  Place anywhere from a few tablespoons to a cup of salt or sugar in a container.  Next pour in half that amount of oil.  Mix with a spoon.  Its normal for the salt to settle to the bottom.

2. Use 5 drops of the essential oil you chose for fragrance and mix with in with a spoon.

3. Fill your tub with warm water and  hop in.  Take a spoonful of the mixture into your palms or your loofah and then rub the mixture all over your body in a circular motion.  For tougher areas such as the knees, soles and elbows, spend extra scrubbing time.  Make sure to be gentle on places like the chest, neck, and stomach, where the skin is thinner.

4. After you have finished scrubbing, rinse thoroughly.

5. Pat dry with a towel and your skin will feel soft, supple, and hydrated.

This is also a great holiday gift.  I would even try adding in peppermint essential oil to give it more of the holiday vibe.  Indulge in your personal scrub treatment after an early morning workout to get invigorated and energized for the day.  Try this before a big event or a competition and I promise you will love the end result!

Until next time,
Shelsea Montes
IFBB Bikini Pro