Coconut oil has become a popular multitasking staple thanks to its wide range of benefits for both the body and home. Just one tablespoon can offer impressive nutritional and wellness perks, making it a valuable addition to your daily routine. In the kitchen, coconut oil is prized for its high smoke point and subtly sweet flavor, making it ideal for sautéing, baking, and dairy-free cooking. Its combination of healthy fats may also support energy levels and satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer.
Beyond its culinary uses, coconut oil shines as a natural, cost-effective beauty ingredient. Many people turn to it as an alternative to store-bought bath and body products, since it provides deep hydration and nourishment for the skin. Whether used as a simple moisturizer, lip balm, or soothing salve, it helps lock in moisture and can leave skin feeling soft and refreshed. It also forms a great base for homemade body scrubs—just mix with sugar or salt for a gentle, exfoliating treatment.
Coconut oil’s versatility extends into oral and hair care as well. It can be used in DIY toothpaste blends or for oil pulling, a traditional practice believed to support oral health. For hair, coconut oil works as an effective conditioner, helping smooth strands, reduce dryness, and add shine. Because it’s gentle and naturally derived, it’s a popular choice for those looking to reduce exposure to synthetic ingredients in everyday products.
With so many practical uses, coconut oil offers an easy and affordable way to incorporate natural self-care into your routine. Keeping a jar on hand opens the door to countless homemade remedies and beauty treatments—proving that this simple ingredient is far more powerful than it looks.
Before you start, you’ll want to purchase high-quality coconut oil like Nutivia or Viva Naturals Organic— both of which are available on Amazon.
1. Upgrade Your Moisturizer
Soothe your face by adding a dab of coconut oil to your face moisturizer day and night. This technique is particularly beneficial for people with dry skin.
2. Coconut Body Scrub
This recipe makes a fantastic soothing coconut body scrub:
Mix 4 tablespoons of coconut oil with 1/2 cup of sugar. Drop in a few drops of a relaxing essential oil (try lavender or camomile) for extra comfort.
3. Cuticle Cream
Rub a small, pea-sized amount of coconut oil on your cuticles at night while in bed.
4. Foot Scrub
Combine coconut oil, peppermint, or tree tea essential oil and rub on the bottom of rough feet, then put on socks and crawl into bed. If you can, use a pumice stone to scrub the rough spots on the bottom of your feet first.
5. Homemade Toothpaste
You can make your own natural toothpaste using coconut oil. You’ll need the following:
- Coconut oil
- Baking soda
- Stevia
- Salt
- Essential oils like peppermint or cinnamon
Mix together the oil and baking soda until you achieve the consistency of toothpaste. Add stevia to your liking. Only add salt in tiny pinches at a time. Add in a couple of drops of essential oil.
6. Eye Makeup Remover
Coconut oil makes a great eye makeup remover, and it doesn’t take much to do the trick.
7. Upgrade Your Hand Lotion
Mix coconut oil into your hand lotion for an extra-smooth touch.
8. Soothe a Sunburn
Try applying coconut oil to a sunburn, with a little lavender essential oil, to soothe irritated skin.
9. Add it to Your Morning Smoothie
Add a tablespoon to your morning smoothie in the blender for a dose of healthy fat.
10. Muffins and Cupcakes
Do you bake muffins or cupcakes? Many recipes call for oil, but why not use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil? However, using too much coconut oil may make it taste like coconut. Use half coconut and half vegetable oil if you want to avoid altering the recipe’s flavor too dramatically.
11. Stir Fry
Stir fry vegetables, meats, tofu, and anything else in a tablespoon or more of coconut oil for an excellent source of healthy fats.
12. Hair Masks
Coconut oil is excellent for conditioning and moisturizing your hair. It absorbs into your hair quickly, providing moisture to tame frizz and heal breakage. It’s okay to do this often if your hair really needs it.
13. Eat It!
Did you know you can eat coconut oil straight? A tablespoon a day may help with digestion.
14. Wood Furniture Polish
Another idea is to use coconut oil to bring out the dullness in your wood furniture. Mix 1/4 cup of lemon juice with two tablespoons of coconut oil in a bowl to make your own wood furniture polish. Rub the mixture onto the surface of your furniture with a cloth, and then wipe it clean with a clean cloth.
15. Whipped Body Butter
To make your own ultra-moisturizing body butter, you’ll need the following:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup almond oil (can use other oils, such as vitamin E or jojoba)
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
Use it after a shower. By moisturizing your skin frequently, you can have younger-looking skin and a healthier glow.
So there you have it: 15 ways to use coconut oil. Invest in a large container of it because if you’re like me and want the best for your body, home, and skin, you will want to make all of these products.
Important note: As with any new skincare product, always test a dab first to ensure your skin doesn’t react.
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