The Powder Room's picks for the best coconut products under the sun
BY CHRISTINE ROBERTS NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Thursday, May 15, 2014
Clockwise from left: OGX Coconut Water Shampoo, Conditioner and Hydrating Oil ($7.99 each); ESPA Detoxifying Body Oil ($49); Mio Future Proof Firming Active Body Butter ($58) and Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream ($9).
From oil pulling to detox cleanses, coconut has successfully made the jump from piña colada ingredient to full-blown health craze.
And there's a reason for its popularity. Whether it’s in the form of water, milk or oil, coconut packs a punch in terms of health benefits, especially as a moisturizer for skin and hair.
To get you ready for the warmer months (and the sun-parched skin problems that come with them), the Powder Room has rounded up some of the best coconut products under the sun.
1. OGX Coconut Water Shampoo, Conditioner and Hydrating Oil ($7.99 each, drugstores)
OGX’s Coconut Water collection is a whiff of fresh air after a long winter. The scent alone transports you to a beach chair in the Caribbean with a drink in hand. My favorite product, though, was the hydrating oil, which gave my hair a smooth and soft finish without leaving it too greasy.
2. ESPA Detoxifying Body Oil ($49, espaskincare.com)
The polar vortex left my skin painfully dry, but ESPA’s collection of body oils is slowly bringing it back to life. The detoxifying oil, which claims to rid the skin of toxins, seemed to warm at the touch, giving it a relaxing and invigorating feel. Rub on your legs after using an exfoliant in the shower for incredibly silky skin.
3. Mio Future Proof Firming Active Body Butter ($58, mioskincare.com)
Mio’s Firming Active Body Butter is for the ultimate multi-tasker. Ingredients like organic coconut oil and sweet almond oil moisturize the skin – while hydrolonic acid and pomegranate seed oil plump and increase collagen production. The fresh-smelling butter is also great for those who aren’t completely wedded to the coconut scent.
4. Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream ($9, drugstores and online)
Clockwise from left: Stewart & Claire Coconut Balm ($6); Orico London Streetwise Coconut Spritz ($35); Kiss My Face After Play Air Power Crème ($11.99 for 6 oz.) and Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Scrub ($50).
When I’m looking to pamper my feet without paying for a pedicure, I reach for Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream. Made with coconut oil and extracts of rosemary and peppermint, the ultra-hydrating lotion is a must for women whose feet haven’t made the transition to spring sandals smoothly.
5. Stewart & Claire Coconut Balm ($6, stewartandclaire.com)
Kristin Connelly of the Brooklyn-based line Stewart & Claire starting making lip balms at home with edible ingredients in mind. “It just seemed like there was room to have fun with lip balm in a way that wasn’t juvenile,” Connelly told the Powder Room. Coconut was an easy choice because it moisturizes the lips without overwhelming the senses. “This just smells very natural, nutty and subtle,” Connelly said.
6. Orico London Streetwise Coconut Spritz ($35, oricolondon.com)
This detoxifying toner hasn’t hit the shelves yet; but come June, I will be running to grab a bottle. Made with an impressive variety of ingredients, including coconut water and orange flower water, the spritz instantly cooled my skin – and made me forget about the grit that accumulates on my face from walking the city’s streets.
7. Kiss My Face After Play Air Power Crème ($11.99 for 6 oz., drugstores)
Kiss My Face’s newest lotion is a great go-to after a long day of sun worshiping. The spray soothes and nourishes damaged skin with aloe and coconut water. Kiss My Face's Research and Development Director Heather Halpern said the brand often uses coconut because of its "great moisturizing qualities." “Antioxidants in coconut oil helps soothe dry, irritated skin and fights free radicals that can damage skin and hair," Halpern added.
8. Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Scrub ($50, Sephora.com)
One scoop of Laura Mercier’s sugar-scented scrub and I was hooked. The polish, which uses nearly every part of the coconut, including the shell, pulp and oil, made my skin feel softer than ever. Spend a little extra time massaging it into your elbows, knees and heels in the shower. You’ll thank me later!
croberts@nydailynews.com