The uses for coconut oil are seemingly endless. Not only is it one of my favorite beauty products, but I’ve read and been told that there are benefits to eating a spoonful of it every day. Coconut oil is said to improve the immune system, maintain cholesterol levels, increase metabolism, and aid kidney problems and heart disease. It’s something that I always like to have at home, both for cooking and for my daily beauty routine. Here are some of our favorite ways to use coconut oil!
As a moisturizer
Coconut oil is incredibly moisturizing. On top of that, if you make sure to buy organic coconut oil, there are no chemicals in it that could potentially harm your skin. It may feel greasy at first but it absorbs quickly and contains natural nutrients like vitamin E that are great for your skin – it even fights against bacteria to even out blemishes and has anti-aging properties.
Pay close attention to the hands – coconut oil is great for dry, chapped knuckles and cuticles, especially after winter!
For the hair
This is probably my favorite way to use coconut oil. My hair tends to get very dry so I often put some coconut oil on my hands and run them through my hair, to add some moisture. Applying coconut oil directly to the ends is also a great remedy for split ends. I love to use coconut oil when making sea salt spray – just add water and salt, shake it up and spray onto hair for beachy locks!
For the lips
Coconut oil is a great alternative to chapstick. The oil locks in moisture and the vitamins and nutrients it contains are great for keeping lips smooth and moist. Hours after using it your lips will still feel incredibly soft – and you don’t feel the urge to constantly reapply it like you do with chapstick! A little bit goes a very long way.
For cooking
Next time you cook a meal requiring olive oil or some type of cooking oil, use coconut oil instead. Try it out – you may be nervous about the flavor, but it’s very subtle. The benefits of using coconut oil as opposed to others are numerous. It improves the immune system, contains natural antioxidants, increases metabolism, and helps maintain a healthy heart and cholesterol level. The flavor it adds to dishes is subtle and delicious!
More beauty tips from the BLDG 25 Blog.
Do you just keep it in the cupboard? Fridge? Do you store yours in an easier to use container or just as is? I love the idea of using it more often. Thanks!
I’ve always had terribly frizzy hair. It was often the butt of jokes in school because it was so thick, curly and messy. Coconut oil is a godsend. My hair gets compliments now and it looks so good and all I have to do is put coconut oil in it. I wasted so many years putting all sorts of chemicals in my hair trying to tame it. I wish I had known about coconut oil back in school!
Coconut oil is great for moisturizing babies, too! And they smell so wonderful afterwards!
I really need to get me some of this! and one of those containers you have as well, lol..
I love coconut oil.
So many fun uses for it!
http://happinessiscreating.com/
Crazy I just bought my first jar of organic coconut oil today!!! After reading about all of its health benefits I decided that it would make the perfect addition to my blended fruit juices/smoothies. So yummy!!! I can’t wait to try it out on my split ends too! Thanks!
Hi Julia,
Thanks for posting this! I am a huge advocate of coconut oil. I use it in cooking and for my beauty rituals. It also makes a really good moisturizing makeup remover (beats the brands in the store with all the additives, fragrances and chemicals).
I’m currently backpacking around Europe and I have a bottle of coconut oil with me. People thought it was a little weird at first, but when I started cooking with it, using it to remove makeup, as a moisturiser, etc. they all understood. It’s perfect when you’re travelling on a budget and only have a backpack full of stuff. It’s so great for cooking, it heats up to a much higher temperature than olive oil. My boyfriend just bought a new pair of shoes and this morning put coconut oil on it to soften the leather. The options are endless. Coconut oil is THE BEST.
I’m a Registered Dietitian and I just wanted to advise everyone that coconut oil is very high in saturated fat and is actually detrimental to heart health. I understand everything in moderation but coconut oil really isn’t a great alternative to many of the healthier fats that have a positive effect on heart health. Generally any type of fat that is solid at room temperature will contain more saturated fats. I hope this clears things up. Just want to make sure I’m looking out for the health of all the other FP girls out there! xx
Actually, Nicole, saturated fat is a necessary component of the diet. It is trans fats that cause heart disease. Unfortunately, people have become so disconnected from their healthy, traditional diets (especially in America) that they are willing to heed inaccurate advice from “registered health professionals” such as yourself. One really just needs to look at the way people have been eating for thousands of years to learn about proper nutrition. The Weston A. Price Foundation is a great place to start, here is an article from the website. I encourage everyone reading this to do their own research and be skeptical of health claims. Traditionally prepared grains, wild animal fats, and in season organic vegetables are about the healthiest things to consume. http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-fats/new-look-at-coconut-oil
Yes, coconut oil is high in saturated fat. But it actually contains good saturated fats. It is a medium chain triglyceride; different from most saturated fats. It is made up of mostly lauric acid which is why it is so good for your immune system and boosts metabolism!
I love using coconut oil as a hair mask! I cover all my hair in coconut oil until it is literally dripping and then saran wrap my hair to my head for at least an hour. Afterwards I wash it out and my hair is so unbelievably soft. It also prevents my hair from getting greasy and I only have to wash it twice a week at most. It’s the greatest!
Here’s a great blog post from a sports nutritionist blog on the benefits for athletes of regularly including organic extra-virgin coconut oil in their diets. It’s a great blog, not just for athletes necessarily either, but also for those who want to embrace healthy eating in general:
http://www.apexnutritionllc.com/fuelrightblog/2011/05/09/not-another-case-of-the-mondays-organic-coconut-oil-for-energy/
This made my hair feel amazing! I ombre my hair with bleach so my hair is very dry at the ends. I tried putting this on my ends, left it for an hour, and I couldn’t believe how soft and shiny my hair got. Thank you so very much!
randomly bought some at the store last week but didn’t really know how to use it…hopefully it will help my terrible split ends!
@Leisa
you just store it in a cool dry place. if it gets the least bit warm it melts completely but does not damage it.
I love adding coconut oil to my smoothies! It tastes so tropical and I swear I snack less when I have one. Try this one, it’s a pretty good recipe (but I like to use water instead of dairy in it): http://coconut-oil-tips.com/food-drink/coconut-oil-smoothie-recipe-healthy/
Coconut is useful to me. Today your suggest is also good for daily life.
I use coconut oil for my daily oil pulling. I prefer it over using sesame. I brush regularly afterwards. My mouth feels so much cleaner than brushing alone does for me, and teeth seem to look pearlier, as well as keeps breath fresh for a really long time. It gets in the nooks and crannies in your mouth and seems to absorb any potentially dirtifying bits. I don’t know if it actually pulls toxins out of your blood or anything(as traditional oil pulling experts say), but I can vouch for it removing mouth “dirt” better than just a regular brushing alone! Been doing it twice daily my first week and will do it just once a day starting next. Make sure to remove used oil into a throwaway cup/container, as it could clog your drain. Love coconut oil! Super natural and healthy beauty routine, for the inside and out!
Hey, I love your pictures. I’m glad so many people are now finding out about coconut oil! It has made such a difference to my skin and hair.
I also love to use coconut oil in my hair, I put it on at night with a shower cap and rinse it out in the morning. I buy it online, Nutiva is the best brand, I found the lowest price at http://www.organicmarketonline.com
I find that it is the best for removing make-up. Not only will it cut through the hardiest of mascaras, but it will soothe and moisturize the skin also!!
Great posts about coconut oil. My daughhter told me about it and I have been using it in many of the ways described above. My cholesterol has been a bit out of whack, so I just started putting a dab on my oatmeal instead of butter, and sometimes I put some in my coffee cup in the morning.
Please support the production of coconut oil on Solomon Islands!
https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/1180
Coconut oil makes for an amazing acne fighter, look http://acne-pimples.net/populartreatments/how-to-use-coconut-oil-for-acne/
use it daily though!