Must Have Multi-Use Summer Hack

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With Memorial Day behind us, it is definitely feeling like summer! My girls are out of school, soccer and clubs are over and camps are gearing up! It’s super exciting!

I don’t know about you but we LOVE summer and LOVE the sun and really enjoy being outside! I do feel like summer takes a toll on my skin and hair though not to mention living in our dry climate just adds to the mess! Also, since we are landlocked, most of our cooling off is done at Water Parks and in chlorine filled pools which also makes the summer toll worse so I have to fight back (pow, pow). Do you want to know my secret? Do you want to know the ONE thing that I swear by to fight the summertime toll? COCONUT OIL! Do not leave the house without it!

I always have Coconut Oil on hand and Nutiva Coconut Oil is my goto brand! I like the Unrefined Version for this post because it smells like summer! Although, the weird coconut haters in my life would much rather I cook with the tasteless, odorless, refined coconut oil. That works for me because it can withstand a higher heat (up to 400 degrees) which is how I cook so, win-win. Anyhow, let’s talk about why Coconut Oil is a MUST for summer!

Healthy Hair Protectant and Conditioning Treatment

Now, this tip seems pretty obvious but let me tell you why it is so important for summer and why it’s my favorite too! Like I said, we spend a lot of time near the water and I have naturally curly hair which always looks frizzy after a day or even an hour at the pool. A little bit of Coconut Oil before you go all in will completely kill the frizzies, even after you get out! It is also a natural protectant and acts as a light conditioning treatment with the sun. If you are worried about your hair looking oily, it really isn’t too bad, you are at the pool so it just looks a little damp and which is way better than being frizzy and uncontrollable in my opinion.

Application Tip: Use a Dime Size, rub between your palms and apply from ends to roots. Wash well post pool day.

Skin Moisturizer / Scrub

Okay, so I am sure that this is the obvious one right!? So many of us are using Coconut Oil straight or in lotions and body butter as a moisturizer and I am so glad because it’s AWESOME!! Not only is it moisturizing your skin but it protects your skin from salt and chlorine as well. Using Coconut Oil (in addition to a sunscreen), my skin has been so much happier! I mean who wants something called “Chlorine Itch” or “Chlorine Rash”? Growing up a swimmer, I promise you don’t, nor do your children. And, if you were wondering yes, Coconut Oil does have an SPF but it’s only an SPF of 4 so think of it as a bonus on top of your regular sunscreen.

Application Tip: Apply directly to skin or mix with sugar and essential oil of choice to create a soothing scrub for dry areas, perfect for keeping your feet sandal worthy!

Sunburn Relief

So did you pay attention above, Coconut Oil is only SPF 4 so make sure you are wearing your regular sunscreen. If you forgot it and got a little pink then Coconut Oil will be a lifesaver! If you can, cool the sunburn first with a cool shower or cold compress before applying. Although I do have a favorite after sun cream with aloe in it, Coconut Oil is arguably better for soothing and healing sunburns than aloe. Also, some of the medium chain fatty acids/triglycerides found in Coconut Oil have been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties which can be helpful for sunburn as well but, I am not a Doctor so please seek medical advice for your burn if needed.

Application Tip: Freeze the oil first so it can glide on cool.

Natural Insect Repellant

Okay, I have a story for this one. I remember one summer it was SO miserably hot and muggy for Colorado, my daughter (only 7 at the time) had soccer camp in the morning for a few hours when I went to pick her up, she had over 30 mosquito bites. I am not even kidding! Honestly, I don’t recall if I had used bug spray you would hope so but that is a lot of bites! This was also when everyone realized that DEET was bad and we were all still figuring out what home remedies worked so who knows. Anyhow, Coconut Oil is a natural bug repellant. If you mix it with a repelling essential oil, it works even better and you smell like Christmas during the summer lol!

Application Tip: Melt the 2 oils together, remove so it can solidify and put it on as a moisturizer/repellant.

Acne Treatment

I am constantly trying to find things to avoid this adult acne thing and although I am figuring it out, summertime tends to bring more sweat and messy skin. If a pimple does sneak up, coconut oil is a great treatment because of it’s naturally antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Application Tip: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and rinse with warm water then apply the oil directly to the infected area. Some people use it in their daily regimen as their face wash, make-up remover or face moisturizer since it’s been shown not to clog pores.

Lip Protectant/Balm

Since Coconut Oil does have a little bit of sun protection, it will protect your lips. Plus, you are going to have it out anyway since you are using it for everything above so get your shine on and apply it to your lips regularly to keep them beautiful and soft!

Application Tip: Get a little on your finger and apply like a balm. That’s it!

“On The Go” Travel Size Storage

Now as you read through these are you wondering how the heck you are going to bring this messy stuff out in the sun with you? make sure you put it in a leak proof container. Well, I am here to help! I think these are adorable little containers and these containers are classic and cool! We use these ones because they are easy to open if your hands are a little slick.

So, is there anything that you love to use Coconut Oil for? Please let me know because I love it and have plenty on hand! Costco is GREAT for that!

Also, make sure to PIN these tips for later because so you have them for next year too!