Ecoya Coconut & Elderflower Lotion $29.95
When a natural ingredient like coconut crosses over from beach holidays and health stores into cafes and gift boutiques, then it has definitely won mainstream appeal. Ecoya's use of coconut oil in its indulgent new body products confirms the trend. This body lotion and matching wash are in generous 500ml bottles at a new slimmed-down price. For stockists see ecoya.com.
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter $36
In a fair trade and community development initiative, The Body Shop sources coconut oil for global use from Samoa. This is used in body and bath products and a new lip balm, with the big seller being the body butter which is not only intensely hydrating, but also has an intense coconut aroma. From The Body Shops stores, seethebodyshop.co.nz for details, and selected department stores.
Mailelani Koko Samoa Body Lotion $34.90
The vanilla and cocoa bean (koko) fragrance of this lotion smells as enticing as a chocolate drink on a tropical evening. The Samoan Mailelani company is named for an expression that means "from Heaven" and uses locally harvested cold-pressed organic coconut oil (known as sua'u'u popo), blended with tamanu and avocado oils. Stockists in Auckland include Wise Cicada Newmarket or see mailelani-samoa.com.
Ogx Coconut Milk Shampoo $18.99
This American company has been quick to use nut oils in commercial haircare, with ranges containing moisturising argan oil and kukui oil, a candlenut oil from Hawaii used to fight frizz.
Now it is immersed in the coconut craze with a milk shampoo and conditioner for drier hair and a water set for hair that needs weightless hydration. From selected pharmacies, and selected department stores (with Coconut Milk line at Countdown also), ph 0508 734 466.
Pure Fiji Coconut Oil $46
The nut oil blend at the heart of Pure Fiji's skin and body care is rich in virgin coconut oil and also includes, dilo, sikeci and macadamia nut oils. Oils have long been used on hair and skin in the Pacific and increasingly in Western cosmetics as their replenishing ingredient are recognised. Pure Fiji extracts its coconut oil within hours of harvesting to maintain high levels of nutrients. Its range includes a variety of tropically fragranced body oils, but the coconut one is perennially popular. From selected spas and resorts, ph 0800 PURE FIJI.
