Coconut water has become an important health and beauty basics in the market today. Its nutritional properties and flavor, plus its hydrating, moisturizing, and replenishing properties, have made it a popular go-to beverage with a natural positioning and appeal. Vita Coco, one of the country’s best known coconut water brands, has leveraged that appeal with a just-launched organic coconut oil heralded as a “one pot wonder.”

The product’s tag line says, “Eat It, Wear It, Swear By It,” and it’s no wonder this ingredient with endless uses has found its way into the beauty aisles. Vita Coco, a brand that helped start the American propensity for fresh coconut water, has taken this “never from concentrate” ingredient to the next level, with its beauty/wellness launch. The Vita Coco Coconut Oil launch, the newest addition to the Vita Coco line, took place at Haven’s Kitchen in Chelsea, where nutritionist, Keri Glassman, MS, RD, spoke about the benefits of the ingredient, from boosting metabolism and keeping your heart healthy, to hydrating, moisturizing and regenerating the skin and hair, as well as providing an antibacterial approach to oral health.

On the culinary side of the equation, Chef David Mawhinney and actress, Nikki Reed, introduced heart-healthy recipes with a range of smoothies, wraps and crostinis, that highlighted the nutritional properties of the ingredient which, they maintain, is a source of all-natural energy. Vita Coco’s Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is USDA certified organic, 100% raw and cold-pressed.
    
Glassman said, “In addition to its application for beauty treatments, the multi-purpose oil has health and culinary benefits and a higher burning point than other oils, making it better for baking or sautéing. It also has a wonderful flavor to complement foods, has become a healthy alternative to butter, and provides antioxidant benefit.”  Glassman added, “Almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil are made up of lauric acid, a saturated fat that’s classified as a medium chain fatty acid, which has been linked to killing harmful bacteria and boosting immunity.”
 

Beauty and Wellness

 
Pure coconut oil taps into the beauty/wellness synergy that pervades the market today. Glassman noted that coconut oil, when used in a hot, steamy shower, becomes softer, making it easy to mix with moisturizer.

“It has loads of vitamin E too, so it’s great to put on your body when you go to sleep to help hydrate the skin. In addition, it’s a great makeup remover, wonderful as a cleanser mixed with avocado, and mixes easily for a natural oatmeal scrub.”

Coconut oil has also become very popular for use in one of today’s big, although somewhat controversial trends, called “oil pulling,” which promotes gum health. The oil is swished in the mouth for several minutes and is claimed to pull out bacteria, reduce plaque, and strengthen gums. The practice is based on ancient Ayurvedic texts that site oil pulling for oral hygiene as part of one of the oldest health systems in the world. Coconut oil itself is also used for oral health care as an effective antibacterial mouth cleanser, which can fight viruses and bacteria.

Glassman also shared beauty recipes based on coconut oil. She included a simple moisturizer, which combines one teaspoon of Vita Coco coconut oil with your favorite moisturizer, as well as the tropical coconut moisturizer. This consists of 1/8 cup ripe mango, 1/8 cup papaya, plus ½ teaspoon Vita Coco coconut oil. Ingredients should be placed in a food processor and pureed until smooth. Other recipes included the coconut face mask, with 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon Vita Coco coconut oil, ½ teaspoon avocado and 1 tablespoon mashed banana. The ingredients are then blended in a small bowl, applied to the face for 10 minutes, and washed off as you would normally cleanse.

Additional featured recipes included the coconut oatmeal scrub, with ¼ cup oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of Vita Coco coconut oil, and 1/3 cup warm water; and the Coconut Sun Protector blend, with the gel of 1 aloe leaf, plus 2-3 tablespoons of Vita Coco coconut oil. Aloe leaf gel, considered a natural skin healing remedy, is traditionally used for its healing properties, including insect bite and sunburn relief. To get the gel from the leaf first remove the hard spine outlining the leaf. Then, remove the rind (the hard outer shell). This will expose a clear gel substance which should be filleted out of the rind.

The artisanal approach to natural skin care continues to appeal to a growing consumer segment seeking plant-based alternative remedies; and the use of coconut oil, a pure plant product with zero cholesterol, whether applied as a beauty or wellness treatment, or as a culinary enhancement is on the rise.
    
Vita Coco coconut oil is available online at Amazon.com, and may also be found in the beauty section of select department stores. It will be sold in 18oz. PET jars, as well as 14oz. flint frosted glass jars in the beauty section, as well as the cooking oil section of national natural specialty retailers. It retails for $13.95. Additional information may be found at: www.vitacoco.com and www.amazon.com.