How coconut oil can do wonders for your skin and diet

From desserts to smoothies and salad dressings, coconuts can enhance the flavours of food. It can also work as an excellent moisturiser and toning agent.

Coconuts can enhance the sweetness of desserts and also make for a good moisturiser, toner, and make-up remover, suggest experts. In fact, Victoria Beckham swears by it. Purba Kalita, co-founder at salebhai.com, and Sonia Mathur, head and trainer at Divine Organics, list ways to incorporate coconut in different ways:

If you are looking to give a twist to your daily fruit smoothie, try a tropical-flavoured one made of low-fat coconut milk or coconut water.

Edible uses of coconut:

* Coconut can enhance the sweetness of your dessert. Add grated coconut or coconut milk to your favourite sweet treat. You can also substitute all-purpose flour with coconut flour while baking a cake or make your pie tastier with a filling of tender coconut chunks. Also, roll your chocolate cookies in dessicated coconut before baking to relish the goodness of the fruit.

* If you are looking to give a twist to your daily fruit smoothie, try a tropical-flavoured one made of low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. You can also add tender coconut chunks along with your choice of fruit(s) and blend them together to enjoy something cool and healthy.

* Infuse coconut milk or add grated coconut in your curries. You can also substitute olive oil with coconut oil to make your salad dressing and temper your chutneys, curd-based curries, poriyals, and dals with coconut oil.

Coconut for skin care:

* Coconut can be used as a natural moisturiser. It will hydrate your skin and keep it nourished all-day long. Applying virgin coconut oil directly or mixing a few drops to your daily moisturiser will make your skin glow.

* Coconut doesn’t just smoothen your skin but also works as a natural toner. The fats in coconut minimise the pores that attract dirt and bacteria and prevent skin from getting damaged.

* The toning property of coconut helps in preventing acne by minimising the pores of the skin.

* Take a dab of coconut oil and rub it gently to your face. It will remove make-up and excess oil leaving your skin supple and smooth.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more