When it comes to taking care of our skin and hair here in India, there’s one superstar that stands out—good old coconut oil. An inconspicuous hero with a rich history in ayurvedic skincare, it’s been a part of our culture and beauty rituals for generations.
I’m sure a lot of you have warm memories associated with hot oil treatments. Picture this: you’re sitting in a row with your younger sister in front of you and your mom behind, as she expertly pulled, plaited, and massaged your hair. There’s nothing quite like it, right?
Passed down from grandmother to mother, even Bollywood’s best-known celebrities use it in their everyday routine. Here’s how.
5 Coconut Oil Remedies Celebrities Swear By
Hema Malini’s Traditional Hair Mask
Hema Malini’s secret sauce is a concoction of coconut oil blended with amla (for restoring hair shine), tulsi (with its natural healing properties), and neem (packed with antibacterial goodness) – to create a 100% natural, hair growth elixir.
The Oriental Botanics Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a great store-bought alternative for Hema Malini’s DIY mask.
Anushka Sharma’s Everyday Oil Pulling Routine
Shifting the spotlight to Anushka Sharma, she’s got her own unique set of home remedies. She swears by oil pulling, a technique that has gained popularity amongst many celebrities for its effectiveness. It basically consists of swishing an edible oil (like coconut) around your mouth like a mouthwash, which essentially reduces the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
“This action is excellent for dental hygiene & health and also draws out toxins in the body. As we are all using this time to take better care of our health and improve our immunity I thought of sharing this,” she said about the Ayurvedic technique.
Sonam Kapoor’s Coconut Oil Lip Hack
In a video for Vogue, Sonam Kapoor shared her secret lip hack. She started with a light layer of organic coconut oil on her lips before applying her lip liner and lipstick. “It lets the lipstick slide on comfortably,” she said. “Sometimes I use the oil on my eyebrows and on my eyelids, as well!”
Pro tip: If you’ve got a favourite matte lipstick that tends to dry out your lips, layer some coconut oil under it. Trust me, it’s the game-changer you need!
The BabyChakra Organic Coconut Oil is an excellent choice for moisturising your lips like Sonam.
Madhuri Dixit Nene’s DIY Coconut Concoction
And who can forget Madhuri Dixit, the epitome of grace? She has her very own hair care DIY that deserves a spot on this list.
You’ll need:
- Half a cup of coconut oil
- 15-20 curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon of methi seeds
- 1 small grated onion
According to Madhuri, each of these classic ingredients plays a crucial role in the recipe’s success. Coconut oil shields your hair from environmental damage and breakage, curry leaves bring their antioxidant magic to moisturize your hair, methi seeds tackle scalp irritation, dandruff and hair loss, while onions are a well-known ally in controlling hair loss.
Dixit recommends applying this treatment every 3-4 days. It would be easier to just make it a Saturday night tradition, so you can wash it out the next day and greet the world with luscious locks.
The Indus Valley Bio Organic Coconut Oil is a great pick to whip up a mask like Madhuri’s.
Radhika Apte’s Secret Ingredient Mix
In an interview with Vogue, Apte mentioned mixing hibiscus gel with oil and coating her scalp for a smooth, silky result that needs no styling. Hibiscus is known to help control hair fall and maintain the natural colour of your hair while the coconut will deeply nourish your scalp to encourage hair growth. You can keep this on for a few hours before you wash your hair; apply the mask at least twice a week for quick results!
Coconut oil has emerged as a timeless champion. Embraced by Bollywood icons and cherished for its versatility, it’s more than just an everyday household item – it’s a testament to the credibility of tradition, and a source of multiple health benefits for generations to come!
Featured Image: Instagram
