When I tell people I use coconut oil for everything, I am not kidding. I use it for EVERYTHING. I was first introduced to the the endless possibilities of coconut oil when my college roommate pulled out a huge jar and used it to lotion her whole body. I had heard of it for cooking, but never thought it could play such a key role in my everyday life. But seriously, it does. I use coconut oil in the kitchen, the shower, before bed, and more. Here are 15 everyday uses for coconut oil. Be prepared to go run to the store for a giant jar of it after reading this!
Some fun facts about coconut oil:
- Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. This means that it provides us with HDL (good cholesterol) and even converts LDL (bad cholesterol) to HDL.
- It is made up of healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids, such as caprylic acid, lauric acid and caprice acid.
- There are many health benefits to adding coconut oil to your diet. Here are a few:
- promotes heart health and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
- boosts your immune system
- boosts your metabolism and aids in digestion
- aids in cognitive development
- natural treatment for Alzheimer’s
- UTI and kidney infection treatment
- reduces inflammation
- soothes and prevents skin problems such as acne and eczema
- aids in preventing cancer
- It converts to fuel fast than other fats
15 Everyday Uses For Coconut Oil
1. Cooking
As I mentioned above, adding coconut oil to your diet has many health benefits. Unlike other cooking oils which are made up of long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids which are to thank or many of its health benefits. Kimberly Snyder addresses the difference between coconut oil and other cooking oils here.
2. Hair Treatment & Frizz Relief
Coconut oil can be used as a hair mask. Simply apply 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil (avoiding your roots) to your hair and leave it in over night. Wash it out in the morning. You can also apply a small amount to damp or dry hair, avoiding the roots, to help prevent frizz. (I use an amount smaller than a dime. Too much may leave your hair looking oily.)
3. Makeup Remover
Apply a small of coconut oil to your face and massage it in, concentrating more on heavy eye makeup. Wash off with warm water after.
4. Moisturizer
Coconut oil can be used as a full body moisturizer or as an overnight face mask. Again, you only need a small amount.
5. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ayurvedic practice that helps whiten teeth and boost oral health. Swish 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth in the morning (before consuming any food or drink) for about 10 to 20 minutes and then spit it out. The act of swishing the oil in your mouth helps to remove plaque and other toxins.
6. Tattoos
Coconut oil helps to keep the skin moisturized, aids in skin rejuvenation and helps shield from bacteria. This all makes it a good choice to applied topically to new tattoos.
7. Tanning Lotion
If you are applying coconut oil as a moisturizer, stick on your bathing suit and go get some sun. Coconut oil acts as a natural tanning lotion and since is a moisturizer as well, it helps prevent your skin from getting dry and can reduce chances of sunburn. Note: Coconut oil alone is not a sunscreen, although there are many DIY coconut oil sunscreen recipes such as this one.
8. After Sun Relief
Aloe Vera is traditionally used for sunburn relief, but coconut oil can be used as well and works just the same. We’ve discussed how coconut oil is a moisturizer and has many healing properties, so of course it can work for sunburn just as well. In fact, as aloe vera is a good choice, coconut oil takes it a step further to help prevent wrinkles that may form after too much sun exposure.
9. Shaving
Coconut oil can be used as a shaving cream and even on those occasions where you don’t have time to hope in the shower and shave. It helps to leave your skin smooth and since it is thinner than a traditional shaving cream, it removes hair closer to the skin. You can apply coconut oil after shaving as well to help prevent razor burn.
10. Bug Bites
Applying a small amount of coconut oil to bug bites will help the itchiness go away, as well as help the bug bite heal sooner and therefore not scar. Coconut oil can be applied to small cuts and scrapes to help in the same way.
11. Lip Gloss
Coconut oil is a great choice for chapped lips. Just as it helps to moisturize skin, it does the same for our lips! You can also take it a step further and combine coconut oil with coconut sugar to make a lip scrub!
12. Toothpaste
We discussed using coconut oil to whiten teeth through oil pulling, but combining coconut oil with baking soda will make a whitening toothpaste!
13. DIY Deodorant
Coconut oil can be used a base for your DIY deodorant. Combine 1/3 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup arrowroot starch, 4 tablespoons cornstarch and essential oils of your choice.
14. Under Eye Cream
Coconut oil is perfect to apply to the delicate skin under our eyes. Again, it helps to this area moisturized and also helps to prevent wrinkles, bags and dark circles.
15. Dog Paw Moisturizer
Yes, you read that right. Coconut Oil is good for helping out our furry friends as well. Just like us, coconut oil can help your dogs dry paws! Just apply a small amount to their paws. It can also be applied to their coats to maintain healthy and clean fur!
When shopping for coconut oil choose one that is unrefined, therefore keeping all of its natural properties. For more information and the many wonders of coconut oil, check out the book The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife.