This is the moment. Some of us have been waiting for months- the Coconut lotion and scrub we purchased last season is all used up and we feel like giddy children, anticipating the relaunch. The lab and store are saturated with the aroma of fresh coconuts.
How beneficial is adding coconut oil to your skincare routine, really?
That depends, starting with the type of coconut oil you use on your skin. Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of mature coconut fruit, which is found on specialized palm trees called cocos nucifera (coconut trees). There are different mechanical and chemical processes that are used to manufacture coconut oil. Most oils are expeller pressed, exposing the oil to high temperatures which, while a very efficient method of obtaining the oil, it breaks down the beneficial nutrients. We use a cold-pressed, extra-virgin, unrefined coconut oil that's still packed with nutrients and antioxidants.
One of the starring roles coconut oil plays in our products is moisturizing, thanks to it being rich in medium-chain fatty acids—most notably, lauric and linoleic acids, both rockstar hydrators that soothe skin and strengthen the skin's barrier.
Coconut oil's emollient properties can be beneficial to repairing the skin's barrier function (the outermost layer of skin that defends your body against environmental threats), making it an especially helpful addition to your skincare routine if you have dry or sensitive skin. Coconut's antioxidant properties can also help neutralize and prevent free radicals from UV rays and pollution.
Besides being super hydrating, coconut oil has the ability to act as a protective layer that sits on top of the skin and locks in moisture, while also preventing transepidermal water loss.
Living la Vida Coco
Elisa has been working tirelessly, joyfully blending lotion, stirring Coconut Sugar Scrub and making the magic of the Body Shimmer. She's a true alchemist, creating these wonders from raw plant materials, infusing their goodness in every precious drop. She made her very first batch of skin care product at aos, when we were working in a tiny (600 square foot!) converted house. We began her apprenticeship fourteen years ago and now she's the expert, running the lab with the precision of a chemist and the artfulness of a fine chocolatier. It's a beautiful thing to watch and if you're lucky enough to pop in while she's creating your fresh skincare, you can watch the magic through our glass atrium garden.
This is when we know Summer is coming in fast. Coconut wafts from the lab into the store, finding its way into our break room and back into the shipping area, permeating our lives. The smell is something I created in a moment of nostalgia. I grew up in the 80's and 90's, slathering my pale skin with Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil, trying in vain to get a tan. Obviously damaging my skin in the process, but the scent still reminds me of those carefree summer days at the beach.
I wanted to recreate that feeling with smell, but using plants instead of that fake Coconut perfume. I think we did well! Our Limited Edition Coconut collection smells of summertime and fun and sunshine and happiness. I'm delighted to share this gift of joy with you.
Make happiness a part of your daily ritual. Scrub your skin to a healthy glow in the shower with a handful of Coconut Sugar Scrub. Take your time massaging your fine skin with the Hand & Body Lotion. Spritz shoulders, arms, thighs, chest and cheeks with the Coconut Sun Kissed Body Shimmer Spray. You smell amazing and you look absolutely radiant, my friend.
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