Ingredient Spotlight: I Love Coconut Oil!

Coconut oil is having a moment. We see it everywhere from the grocery store to our smoothies (I cook with Nutiva organic coconut oil), and now, our beauty products. What people don’t know is that coconut oil has been a beauty cure-all long before it became a trend. Tropical regions where coconuts grow natively have used coconut oil as a natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory for thousands of years.

Aside from its summertime scent, coconut oil is rich with nourishing vitamins E and K. Its make-up of saturated fats leave skin hydrated, soft and supple, and antioxidants calm and soothe the skin, making it an incredible ingredient for skincare, hair care and other beauty needs. It’s even non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores! You can apply it directly to your skin, to your hair, on your lips and your nails.

Here are a few of my coconut oil favorites:

1. Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo & Conditioner – One of the best shampoo/conditioner pairs out there for shiny and hydrated hair.

2. RMS The Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipe – Certified organic coconut oil is the only ingredient in these wipes. They melt makeup away without irritating. I throw them in my bag when I travel for makeup removal on-the-go. Many RMS products include coconut oil!

3. RMS Lip & Skin Balm – Hydrates dry lips and smooths fine lines so you can actually apply outside of just the lip area.

4. Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Shampoo & Conditioner – Has the best scent and helps to hydrate and control frizz. My daughters’ favorites!  

5. REN Tamanu High Glide Shaving Oil – Leaves your skin so soft and hydrated, and makes shaving smooth and easy with the glide factor.

6. Fresh Cocoa Body Exfoliant – Crushed cocoa and coconut shells act as natural exfoliants and coconut oil leaves skin soft and calm.

7. M-61 Hydraboost Body Butter – Coming soon! I’m so excited to introduce Hydraboost Body Butter to you in the coming weeks – the newest addition to the M-61 Hydraboost family. Packed with peptides, vitamin B5, tamarind, aloe and coconut oil, it is super rich, hydrating and non-irritating. I use it as an all-over body moisturizer but particularly love it on my legs to get ready for summer! Plus, it’s gluten free and vegan. Stay tuned!

If you love learning about the ingredients in your beauty products, read my recent post about SkinCeuticals’ serious skincare innovation highlighting cholesterol in its new Triple Lipid Restore cream.

On My Desk Now: Summer Love Preview

Summer is around the corner, and tons of goodies are popping up on my desk to try. It makes me yearn for the beach now!

Bare Legs and Sandaled Feet
I love the Perfect Heels Rescue Balm by This Works for my feet, NARS Monoi Body Glow Bronzing Body Oil for hydrated and temporarily bronzed legs, and Chanel’s metallic nail polish in Canter - a fabulous 70’s gold - for toes (available in select stores only). 

Warm Nights Out

Chanel’s new cream Stylo Eyeshadows in Bleu Nuit and Vert Grisé are to die for, and are perfect for creating a smokey eye (available in select stores only). Bumble and bumble’s new Surf Foam Spray is perfect for that textured, salty hair look.

Weekend Sheer SPF 

I am in love with the new La Roche-Pose Anthelios SPF 60 that is oil-free!!! Light, sheer and heavenly, it’s my new soccer field go-to!

Perfection from La Mer

I can't figure out what La Mer's new The Perfecting Treatment is, but I love it! Moisturizer? Mask? Extra thick serum? Soothing, cooling and incredibly hydrating, this "perfect" light gel cream is an amazing pick-me-up for when your skin looks dull.   

I love it at night post-shower - I just slather it on and wait for the instant dewy look. I also could see using it over an intense glycolic treatment as a light soother/hydrator. Or in the morning on those days you just throw up your hands and say, I have no idea what to do with my tired, dull skin!

New + Notable: Spring Eye Palette Love

I love a good palette. They just make life easier. Compact, easy to travel with, and beautiful to look at - here are three of my newest favorites:

1. The By Terry Sun Designer Palettes in No. 1 and No. 2 are very Missoni.

2. The NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer actually smells like Tahitian Manoi, so you get bronzed and feel like you’re on a tropical island at the same time.

3. The Laura Mercier Extreme Neutrals Eye Palette is full of neutrals but also has the beautiful lavenders – which wear well with ethereal white for summer time.

 I love spring!! Share your spring looks with me on Instagram: @marla.beck