I really can’t say the words “coconut oil” without bursting into song:

 ♬ I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts, there they are standing in a row
There they are, all standing in a row
Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head ♬ ♩

Same thing happens when I see the jar of coconut oil in my bathroom – and now that coconut oil is part of my daily routine, you can safely assume that my family is sick to death of this song.

It may not be much of a surprise to some of you crunchier mamas, but I’ve jumped on the coconut oil bandwagon. We’ve already used the oil for baking and cooking, but for the last month I’ve been using it as a moisturizer too. I know, what took me so long, right?

It all started about four weeks ago when I was getting ready to wash my hair with baking soda. I realized that the old shampoo bottle that I use for mixing was starting to smell, um, a bit off. I peered into the top and everything looked fine, but I imagined all sorts of slimy goo growing at the bottom anyway and then I just couldn’t bring myself to use it. No problem – I switched to a reusable water bottle so that can be washed as needed and continued on with my hair-cleaning routine. I finished with my baking soda wash and put in my cider vinegar rinse and waited for a few moments so that it could soak in.

This is when I do all my deep thinking.

I started wondering about quantum physics and the origins of the universe, of course, but mostly I wondered about how shampoo and conditioner bottles sit in my bathroom for months and months and never go moldy. Why doesn’t the contents ever spoil? Like ever?

Then I started thinking about my moisturizer. It sits in the bathroom for six months or more, usually with the lid off and often with the grimy fingers of an enthusiastic four year old crammed inside. It doesn’t grow mould either. Really, what’s in there? I put this on my face?

As I rinsed the vinegar out of my hair, I finally decided to give coconut oil a try. I have a few friends that swear by it, and like I said – is it really that much of a stretch?

The first day, I put on too much on. It didn’t absorb after a few minutes, so I wiped the excess off with cotton balls. My skin felt soft, but not amazing — not like a really rich cream would make my skin feel. Regardless, I was impressed enough to try again. Two days later, I tried it again and again wiped the excess away. The next time, I wizened up and used less. No more cotton balls.

I should note that I only moisturizer now when I wash my face, which is every second morning when I “wash” my hair. The rest of the time, I just use a Norwex makeup cloth. My skin has cleared dramatically since I’ve cut back on the washing. Oh the things I wish I could tell my teenage self.

So the coconut oil. Sometimes my forehead is a bit itchy, so maybe I need a bit more? I’m still working out the details. I like that I can put it all over my body and I don’t feel greasy afterwards. I like putting it on my feet before I put socks on and my feet feel softer but not slimy. The only thing I don’t like the oil for is my hands – my skin is just too dry and needs something more intense. Other than that, I’m really happy with it. I think I may just be a coconut oil convert.

Oh and for those who have been asking – I wash my hair every other day with baking soda and cider vinegar, and then every second week with shampoo and conditioner. The bi-monthly shampoo and conditioner treatment eliminates the crunchies and prevents build-up. And I can’t wait for my shampoo to run out because I just found an awesome recipe on Pinterest for homemade shampoo that I want to try – it uses coconut milk! 🙂

UPDATE: A few people mentioned on Facebook that coconut oil makes them break out in pimples. I had the same thing when I switched brands. The only coconut oil I’ll use on my face now is Omega Nutrition Scent-Free Coconut Oil. It’s never given me a problem.

What should I give up next? Any fun suggestions?