Beauty: You put the lime in the coconut....

Because we are SUPER smart and scientific,

we spend a lot of time thinking up new ways to keep our selves and our skin looking young...

Wait is that smart & scientific, or vain... Oh well, it's a little of both and if you ask us that is a winning combo because it leads you to learn all sorts of things.

What are some things we all know to be true?

1. As you get older, your skin loses elasticity.

2. Water dries out your skin.

3. The first time you look in the mirror and see a face with crows feet looking back at you, you MAY pee your pants.

Nature speeds along and a well lived life leaves traces on your face. We should all be proud of our laugh lines and crinkles because we earned them through many years of joy, through countless smiles shared with the people we love, or even smiles given like gifts to strangers.

What we are talking about is, not trying to turn into some sort of ice-faced doll.... What we are talking about is aging gracefully.

Doing everything we can to keep our skin as supple and full of life as we can. Lets do all we can to soften those little wrinkles and crinkles.

And one of the things we can do, is about as easy and affordable as can be.

Readers, meet coconut oil... Coconut oil, please meet our readers.

Yes sirs & misses, you read that right.... This delicious tropical little.. Nut?...Fruit?... See, like we said, SUPER smart. Anyway, this tropical little gem may hold the secret to youth.

It maybe the secret of how Maryanne and Ginger were looking so hot after 15 years stuck on an island.

We have even shared this secret with you before, but we have to do it again in case you were not listening....

Lets get down to business with some frightening facts about your skin.

(Snatched from some really smart people over HERE)

1. Our skin is made up of connective tissues. These tissues give our skin strength and elasticity. When we are young and healthy the skin is smooth, elastic and supple. This is the effect of strong connective fibers. As we age their fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its ability to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery.

2. One of the classic signs of old age is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots or liver spots. It is a sign of free-radical deterioration of the lipids (fats) in our skin, thus the name lipofuscin. Oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein by free radical activity in the skin is recognized as the major cause of liver spots. Because cells cannot dispose of the lipofuscin pigment, it gradually accumulates within many cells of the body as we age. Once lipofuscin pigment develops, it tends to stick around for life, but you can prevent further osication and perhaps even reduce the spots you already have by using the right kind of oils in your diet and on your skin.

3. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster.

Ok, so lots of information.. But, we can break it down like this:

Free Radicals: Not really so radical, What we understand is that "Free-Radicals" is what happens when the molecules of your skin, (in this instance) become weak and the bond of that molecule splits.. So basically it is like the molecules of the skin on your face are one hot-ass mess.

How do we keep these molecules from weakening and releasing free-radicals?

Well, the truth is, we can't. To many factors go into it.

Our body makes them to neutralize viruses & bacteria, environmental factors affect our production of free-radicals...

So, we can't stop it.. But WE CAN stop it from becoming excessive.

with the use of...

Antioxidants: Help to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.

So that is really good right? You can find antioxidants in a bunch of places..

Like vitamins E & C.

Also in lots of foods.

Like... COCONUTS!

(Whew, we finally made it to our point.)

Coconut oil is so super good for your skin and you insides... Why not use it for both?

Instead of spending a fortune on skincare products from fancy pants companies, why not try one made by the most beautiful lady we know... Her name is Mother Earth.

Speaking of Mothers... Mom I hope you are reading this.. And I know you are because you heart me... But you were right, right right!

Miss Me's mama told her YEARS ago to start using coconut oil for her cooking and her skin, if I had only listened... I would look 4 years younger today.

Sorry Mom, but at least I am admitting it in front of the whole world... Mother really does know best.

But I can start today and so can you.

(Nui)

More info on the good effects of COCONUT OIL:

It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause.

It can help bring back a youthful appearance. The coconut oil will aid in removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine". While doing this the coconut oil will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the underlying tissues.

(Swanson-Vitamins)

To sum it all up, if you rub coconut oil on your skin everyday, you will end up with younger, clearer, healthier more supple skin.... And on top of all that, you will smell like a vacation in paradise. Sounds like a winning situation.

Oh, P.S- Coconut oil is also AMAZING for your scalp and hair.

P.P.S- How adorable are these mini coconuts?

P.P.P.S- Enjoy your life and don't forget to laugh and smile and crinkle your nose! the lines are going to come one way or another so make sure you enjoy the ride. Just don't forget to spoil yourself with this lovely oil.

XOXO- Things-We-Heart