11 Beauty Products Your Grandmother Used That Still Work Better

2. Coconut Oil — Multipurpose Hair and Skin Workhorse

Coconut oil is a kitchen-to-vanity classic, especially in Indian homes where dadi often recommended nightly scalp massages. For hair, warmed coconut oil can be a pre-wash treatment that helps reduce protein loss and makes strands feel smoother. It soaks into hair shafts more than some other oils, which is good for dry or porous hair. On skin, coconut oil works as a rich moisturizer for very dry areas like elbows and heels. However, it’s comedogenic for some people, meaning it can clog pores on acne-prone skin. That’s why application location matters: use on hair, body, or hands rather than oily facial skin if you’re break-out prone. For scalp massage, focus on the roots and leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes before washing. As with other traditional remedies, patch testing is smart. If you enjoy a natural, inexpensive oil with cultural roots in family routines, coconut oil remains a useful and versatile option.