Why Priyanka Chopra Loves Coconut Oil (for *so* Many Purposes)—and Hates Makeup
She travels with a suitcase filled with beauty products (literally), but barely any 'em are makeup. Instead, she says she tends toward homeopathic and Ayurvedic skin care. "I hate makeup," Chopra confesses. "Well, I can't say I hate it, because I wear it so much with work. But whenever I'm not on set, I like to give my skin a break. All I carry with me is my skin care. When you travel across a continent every two weeks, it's really important to take care of your skin."
Because she was born in India, Chopra says she's always been aware of Ayurvedic beauty practices, and grew up using coconut oil and herbal remedies, and she counts on them for keeping her skin healthy. Her go-to skin detox to get a radiant complexion? Chopra drinks four liters of water with lemon for three days straight, according to Byrdie. Now that's dedication. But it's not just H2O Chopra swears by for her beauty rituals—check out her other must-haves below.
Here are some of the products she's loving now.
1. SK-II Facial Treatment Mask ($87)
"My go-to travel "hydrator" for my skin. Given how much time I spend on airplanes, this mask immediately moisturizes my skin, leaving it soft and luxurious. Just slap it on an hour before you land at your destination and voilà…you will land looking fresh as a daisy."
2. Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment ($12)
"This miracle in a little red tube is made with Carica papaya and has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It can cure everything from chapped lips to insect bites and minor burns. I always have a tube of this in my bag."
3. Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil ($3)
"Nothing keeps my lips as soft and plump like Burt’s Bees, plus I love the hint of color that it gives my lips."
4. Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil ($15)
"I do a warm coconut oil hair massage—this is a definite must for me, and I try to do this as often as I can, given the regular beating my hair takes. Coconut oil is rich in vitamins and minerals. It keeps the hair strong, nourished and protected and even prevents hair loss. Let’s not forget the therapeutic effects of a good head massage: a great stress buster!"
Besides smoothing the oil into her roots, Chopra also uses the multi-tasking beauty ingredient to remove makeup while simultaneously moisturizing her skin, she says in an episode of Harper's Bazaar's Little Black Book video series. She also recommends slathering your face with coconut oil and letting it sit for a few minutes before rubbing a warm, moist towel gently across your skin. "It exfoliates and hydrates at the same time, and just takes off all your makeup! And that really helped with my dry skin."
5. Kailas Jeevan Multipurpose Ayurvedic Cream ($14)
"Now this is truly one of those Ayurveda products that can cure everything from acne and burns to a cough and everything in between. And it can be used both externally and also consumed internally. I always have a ton of this with me. It's made of a mix of a lot of natural herbs and oils like sandalwood, camphor, and coconut oil, among other things. Trust me when I say, a dollop of this will keep many doctors away."
Curious about other celebrity beauty secrets? Jennifer Aniston swears by this smoothie-boosting powder to make her skin glow, and this is what Victoria Beckham eats everyday for clear skin.
Originally published November 16, 2016; updated on June 26, 2018 with additional reporting from Kells McPhillips.
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