Tag Archives: Coconut Oil

5 Natural Ingredients to Use During Pregnancy

While pregnant or breastfeeding, it becomes especially important to be mindful of what goes in and on your body. Studies have shown that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer. Nine Naturals believes in creating products that are not only high-performing, but also completely safe and natural. Some of our favorite natural ingredients include:

VITAMIN E: Isolated from vegetable oils, Vitamin E is an important vitamin required for the proper function of many organs and an antioxidant, meaning it helps to slow down processes that damage cells. This is important for pregnant women because it can help prevent complications in late pregnancy due to high blood pressure, PMS, painful periods, hot flashes associated with breast cancer, and breast cysts. The moisturizing properties of Vitamin E for skin is well known but it also does wonders for your hair! When ingested or applied topically on hair, Vitamin E is effective for hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, prevent premature greying by slowing down the overall aging process, giving hair a lustrous shine by promoting natural strength and shine, and preventing split ends by countering damage done by heat. Find Vitamin E used in all Nine Naturals products.

ARGAN OIL: Not all women get pregnancy glow. Some often experience dry skin, especially around the belly, breasts, and hips as the skin swells and grows. High in vitamin E, antioxidants, and linolenic acid, argan oil is a super-effective moisturizer that has been shown to prevent and treat stretch marks by maintaining elasticity and preventing moisture-loss. On top of improving your body’s immunity to diseases such as breast and colorectal cancer, argan oil is good for treating under eye circles, burns, wrinkles, brittle nails, arthritis, and rheumatism pain. Argan oil in Nine Naturals Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner gives lackluster postpartum hair a boost by adding shine and hydrating roots.

BROCCOLI SEED OIL: Broccoli seed oil is high in vitamin C, Vitamin B, and erucic acid, which is a light oil composed of many different omega-9 and omega-6 oils. This means that it helps eliminate free radicals that can contribute to cancer, prevent hair loss while promoting thicker healthier hair, and soothe redness and inflammation. Best part? Broccoli seed oil is a natural substitute for silicone--often found in cosmetic products, particularly in leave-on skincare and haircare products, such as Nine Naturals Vanilla + Geranium Regenerative Belly Butter. This natural emollient hydrates hair and skin without leaving a greasy film and adds a protective layer that traps in moisture, and keeping skin and hair hydrated all day long!

CAPUAÇU BUTTER: Found in the rain forests of South America, Cupuacu butter has a natural hazelnut aroma, is rich in phytosterols, polyphenols, and fatty acids, and is a good natural substitute for lanolin. This means that it can be used to effectively treat dry, damaged skin, combat free radicals in tissues, and protect and moisturize skin. Treating skin with cupuacu butter also allows skin to attract 240% more water, fight inflammation, and improve elasticity--making it the perfect ingredient for stretch-mark fighting belly butters! Plus, it also absorbs UV rays, adding natural sun protection. This is why Nine Naturals uses cupuacu butter in its Unscented Moisturizing Body Cream.

COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil, used in all Nine Naturals products, is a fatty acid that is easily metabolized by the body, making it an excellent replacement for butter and oils, and helps regulate blood sugar levels while providing stable energy. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, much-needed lauric, caprylic, and capric acid in coconut oil passes from mother to child. These acids are known to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasiticidal properties that support immune system in mommy and baby. On skin, this holy grail ingredient prevents stretch marks and alleviates itchiness on belly and breasts.It’s also a natural, moisturizing, and gentle cleanser. Use to remove makeup from skin, tame frizzy hair, and soothe cracked lips.

Adding these simple and natural ingredients to your beauty routine will go a long way in helping detoxify your pregnancy. Read labels carefully and opt for brands that provide full ingredient transparency. The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database is also great place to get more information about companies with high safety ratings.

During pregnancy, your skin stretches -- and stretches -- to accommodate your growing bundle of joy. And just as you take extra care to nourish yourself and your baby from the inside out with healthy foods and lots of water, it’s important to nourish your skin from the outside in, as well. After all, as your body’s largest organ (and its primary barrier against outside pathogens), your skin has a big job to do while you, you know, grow a whole new person. Following the perfect skin care routine will reward you with hydrated, healthy skin that stretches more willingly, and forgivingly -- fewer stretch marks! Holla! -- throughout your nine-month sprint to mamahood.

Go Natural

First and foremost, you’ll want to prioritize using all natural, toxin-free products during your pregnancy; your skin is highly absorbent, and ingredients found in many personal care products, like sulfates, parabens, pthalates and synthetic fragrances -- yuck! -- can be harmful to your health (not to mention that of your baby). Nine Naturals products are 100% plant-derived and never contain any hidden nasties.

A Two-Step Process: Hydrate and Heal

So what does perfect pregnancy skin care involve? Hydration and healing. Besides keeping your water bottle handy at all times, you’ll want to hydrate your skin twice daily with all-natural moisturizers that will help repair stretched skin -- giving extra love to those parts of you that are (or are about to) be put to the stretch test, usually the belly, hips, breasts and thighs. Body oils deliver the oils your skin needs to stay healthy more directly than water-based creams do; they also seal moisture into delicate skin. Our Natural Belly Oil is luxurious and deeply healing; tamanu oil, which is rich in fatty acids and revered as a safe, natural remedy for a host of skin conditions, including dry skin, stretch marks and scars, heals stressed skin while hydrating jojoba seed and coconut oils replenish much-needed moisture. Massaged generously into wet skin immediately after bathing, this nutrient-dense belly oil will dry to the touch within seconds, but continue working hard all day to improve your skin’s elasticity and keep your belly looking and feeling fantastic.

Pair Oil with Creams for Maximum Benefit

Nine Naturals’ Regenerative Belly Butter, one of our most popular products, pairs perfectly with our belly oil as the other half of your healing pregnancy skin care routine. It battles stretch-marks and discomfort with moisture-rich, natural and organic ingredients. Cupuacu butter triple-tasks as a moisturizing, free-radical fighting, and skin-protecting powerhouse, thanks to its naturally high levels of phytosterols, polyphenols and fatty acids. Vitamin E, allantoin and evening primrose oil nourish the skin and help to maintain its natural moisture balance while you sleep.

Love Your Skin, Love Your Pregnancy

Skin care is an integral part of self-care during pregnancy, and the benefits of a gentle belly (or, hey, full body!) massage with Nine Naturals’ Belly Oil and Regenerative Belly Butter twice daily will extend beyond supple skin, helping you to feel grounded, balanced and beautiful as you grow into your new role as a mom. Bonus: continuing with your pregnancy skin care routine post-partum will help your skin bounce healthily back, too. So show your skin some love, and enjoy your pregnancy, mama!

One of our favorite beauty secrets at Nine Naturals is coconut oil - not only does it have multiple beauty uses, but it's also great in the kitchen and in the home. It is versatile, but most importantly, 100% natural and free of chemicals you want to avoid during pregnancy (something we know a little about here at Nine Naturals). Here are our favorite, and some unexpected, tips for using coconut oil. *Note: We recommend purchasing minimally processed, certified organic coconut oil. Look for the USDA Certified Organic Seal and the words "Cold-Pressed" on packaging when purchasing a coconut oil.

1. Body Oil

Coconut oil is known for it's hydrating properties and that makes it perfect as a deep moisturizer when your skin is extra dry. Try using it before you take a shower to help retain the moisture that typically gets stripped whenever you take a hot shower. Follow your shower and coconut oil care with Nine Naturals Unscented Moisturizing Body Cream for a well-rounded bodycare routine.

2. Makeup Remover

Time to ditch the Pond's! One of our favorite uses of coconut oil is to remove makeup. Dab a little between your fingers and gently rub it it on your eyelids to remove stubborn mascara, eyeliner and makeup. It'll gently remove all the products off your face and also soften and hydrate your skin.

3. Overnight Hair Treatment

Work a small amount of coconut oil into your hair before bedtime to add some extra hydration and tame your tresses. Wash it out in the morning (don't forget Nine Naturals haircare) for luxurious, healthy hair.

4. Massage Oil

Rather than buying expensive massage oil, use coconut oil with a drop of your favorite essential oil for a relaxing fragrance - it works just as well.

5. Spot Remover

Rub a dab of coconut oil into a spot on upholstery or a carpet, and it will loosen the stain. You can also mix it with baking soda to make an effective stain remover.

6. Oil Pulling

If you haven't heard of oil pulling before, it is an ancient Ayurvedic folk practice used to whiten teeth, reduce bacteria, and prevent ​bad breath. Swish some coconut oil around your mouth for about 10 to 15 minutes in the morning to 'pull' bacteria out of your mouth. Spit and rinse with water, and brush your teeth as usual (Nine Naturals Tip: Our mornings can get more than a little busy so we usually do it while in the shower or while putting on makeup).

7. Dry Scalp Relief

Massage coconut oil into the scalp overnight to help with dry, itchy scalp and dandruff. Finish with a good shampooing in the morning to wash out the oil. Your scalp will feel moisturized and less itchy.

8. Baby Diaper Cream

Use coconut oil on baby's bottom as an all-natural balm for helping with diaper rash - coconut oil is a natural antibacterial!

9. Cooking Oil

Coconut oil is also one of the healthiest oils to use when cooking, and is great for stir-frying and pan-searing. For cooking, use an unrefined coconut oil, also called raw or virgin. It can also be used in baking - we love this coconut crumb cake. After you're done cooking, use coconut oil to season your cast irons pans as well!