RIKITA KAPADIA

AGE: 35. LIVES IN: West Loop. TITLE: Founder of Cocovít. FAMILY TIES: My family has been using coconut oil for generations and generations. Initially, we started using it as a beauty product for hair, and then my great grandmother started using it on her skin and it got passed down [through the generations]. But I knew the oil we were using wasn’t the purest oil, so I started doing research and learned that the extraction process used in coconut oils eliminated a lot of nutrients and enzymes. SMALL BEGINNINGS: I partnered with a farm in South India to develop a heatless process, which keeps 100 percent of the coconut oil’s enzymes and nutrients intact. The village was in poverty, but now the farm [that produces Cocovít] employs everyone in that town. BEAUTY BENEFITS: Cocovít is anti-aging and helps with pigmentation, stretch marks and scarring — the antioxidants help repair burns and cuts. It also works as a night cream, eye cream, makeup remover and body moisturizer, and it prevents hair loss by strengthening and moisturizing hair. WINTER MUST-HAVE: Winter leads to super dry, flaky skin, which requires constant exfoliation. Bliss hot salt scrub ($38; Blissworld.com) actually heats up as you rub it on — how great is that? And I love the smell of the eucalyptus and rosemary oils in the scrub.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Since my family is Indian, the holidays aren’t traditional at either my parents’ or in-laws’ houses. But we do put up a tree every year and exchange gifts, and lots of them — it’s a blast. We watch movies nonstop, play cards and enjoy a fusion of homemade Indian and Mexican food.

For more information and to shop Cocovít products ($25 for a 3.3-ounce jar, $38 for an 8.8-ounce jar), visit Cocovit.co.