Sometimes, the best health and beauty hacks are all about oil. If you’re already a fan of a particular oil for massage, better hair, stronger nails, moist cuticles, relief from cracked heels, and more, then you’re halfway there. The key to unlocking the power of natural oils for the benefit of your own body is selecting the right one. Some excel at doing just one or two things, while others deliver multiple results. The other part of the oil hack is sticking with high-quality products.
Beware manufacturers who sell low-grade that is technically organic, but can’t hold up to the performance of purer, fresher, better-packaged offerings. Always read labels to see what’s in oil products besides the main ingredient. One or two preservatives are okay, but if you see a long list of unpronounceable chemical words on the ingredient list, stay away. Here are a few of the top-selling natural oils that never seem to go out of fashion. That’s probably because they work.
The All-Around Champ
There are dozens of castor oil benefits that most people are unaware of. The age-old staple on store shelves serves many purposes, but it’s important to know that you can purchase it to promote natural hair growth. The way it works is by delivering natural minerals and vitamins to the hair, skin, eyelashes, lips, fingernails, and scalp. In fact, just about any hair-nail-skin problem related to dryness can get some help. Make sure to buy from a reliable seller and check expiration dates on containers. You can usually tell if it is substandard because the lower grades look cloudy and have very short shelf-life times.
Almond
You can massage yourself or someone else much more easily if you use a high-grade version of light, organic almond oil. Always make sure you or the person you’re massaging is not allergic to it. Fortunately, allergies are quite rare. But not only is it excellent for a massage and easy to wash off, it nourishes the skin and is extremely soothing when applied warm.
Lavender Essentials
Essential lavender has been one of the best-selling products in this line for decades, not only because of its versatility but because its scent is universally beloved. In practice, bodywork professionals often use it as an antibacterial, in hand sanitizing mixtures, and as a bath or whirlpool additive.
Defeat Dry Cuticles
Try one or two drops of extra virgin olive oil to deal with flaky, dry cuticles. It takes a few days to produce the full effect of moisturizing, but the stuff works, and you probably already have some hanging around in the kitchen. Opt for organic if you can find it, and never use low-grade versions. Beauty stores sell ultra-pure organic products specifically for use on dry skin and especially cuticles.
Happy Heels
Apply a thin sheath of coconut oil to dry heels before bedtime. Wear socks to hold in the moisture and keep the substance from getting on sheets. After about two nights of treatments, you’ll likely notice that the skin on your heels is not only moist but also quite smooth. That’s due to the natural chemicals in the coconut.
Photo by Monstra
