Coconut oil has a long history of use as a food, a drink, in cooking and as a health and beauty treatment for the skin and hair.

It’s luscious creaminess and healing properties make it a perfect fit for a natural, do-it-yourself skin care regime. It’s a pure vegetable source, most always free from pesticides and other chemicals. It’s been an ingredient in body and hair care products for many years…from shampoos to soaps, to creams and lotions.

But you can use it unadulterated and pure…right from the coconut. Well, maybe not directly from the coconut, but you can buy virgin coconut oil in a jar.

It is unrefined -- chemicals and high heating are not used. The fresh coconut meat is either quickly dried and pressed by mechanical means to produce the oil, or it is pressed to make coconut milk, then the oil is separated from the water part of the milk.

The oil keeps the scent and taste of fresh coconut and unlike many vegetable oils it’s very stable, having a shelf life of several years. In addition, you don’t have to refrigerate it, although you can if you want it to stay solid, like a coconut “butter”. It liquefies and becomes oil at about 76 degrees Fahrenheit.

What makes it so good for the skin and hair?

Coconut oil’s molecules are small enough to be easily absorbed into skin and hair, so it’s perfect for dry, rough skin and chemically assaulted hair. Skin becomes softer and smoother, hair shinier.

It not only softens the skin, but protects it against free-radical damage and promotes healing. Continual use removes dead skin cells and strengthens underlying connective tissues.

When coconut oil is added to the diet, the antiseptic fatty acids help prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin. There is evidence that this also happens to a certain extent when you apply it to the skin. Inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis have benefited with the use of this oil.

It’s best to apply a small amount to slightly moist skin (like after your shower). It is quickly absorbed and you won’t have a greasy feel. If you have very dry skin, apply small amounts often. Over a period of time you should definitely see results.

Any drawbacks?

Since the best kind of coconut oil to use is organic, unrefined and unheated (raw), it naturally smells like fresh coconut. Maybe you love it -- it reminds you of summertime breezes and sipping Pina Coladas. But if you prefer not to smell like a coconut, do your body and hair treatments in the evening and let it do its beautifying work while you sleep. Wake up to soft, smooth skin and shiny hair! Also, adding essential oils will change the fragrance somewhat.

What is the best brand?

There are many high quality brands available. You may find a few at the health food store, but as with a lot of health and beauty products, your best bet may be to purchase online.

A few companies I’ve tried and recommend are HealthLine (www.healthline.cc), Tropical Traditions, Nutiva and Wilderness Family Naturals. Of these brands, Nutiva is the only one I’ve seen at the health food store. Whichever brand you get, look for these words on the label: virgin, raw, organic, unprocessed (or unrefined) coconut oil. It should be pure white with a fresh coconut smell and flavor.