Coconut oil is one of nature’s best superfoods, having absolutely awesome uses for the body. I use a refined, organic version (Nature’s Promise) that I can find in the grocery store. Since I hate the smell of coconut, I buy the refined coconut oil – you can also buy the unrefined coconut oil too. I also prefer the organic stuff that is cold-pressed. One jar usually lasts me months, but I also do not cook with it. (I usually cook with sesame seed and olive oils.)
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Contents
22 Awesome Uses for Coconut Oil
Food
1. Cooking
Coconut has a melting point of 76 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it will be a solid under this temperature. I do not recommend using coconut oil for frying, as it can be quite expensive. However, I usually brush it onto things or use it when only a small portion of oil is called for.
2. As spray substitute
Instead of using oil spray, grab some wax paper and a dab of coconut oil, and spread over that cookie sheet.
3. As a butter substitute
You can use coconut oil in the place of butter for toppings, such as on top of baked potatoes.
4. Baking
You can also use it to substitute any oil or butter in baking recipes, such as muffins, brownies, or cakes.
5. As a cream substitute
Coconut oil gives a different flavor to coffee instead of your half & half, but you can use it to make vegan coffee. If you want to do this, using unrefined (the smelly stuff) gives it a subtle coconut flavor, too.
6. Salad dressing
Use instead of olive oil for a different consistency. I like to make my own salad dressing, but olive oil gets funny when put in the refrigerator — it thickens, which makes the salad dressing different. So I use half coconut oil and half olive oil now.
7. In smoothies
Drop a tablespoon inside of a smoothie recipe to increase your energy for the day!
Beauty
8. Facial scrub
Add super fine ground up coffee (see my 22 uses for used coffee grounds — yeah!!) and coconut oil to make a wonderful smelling, super awesome facial scrub. Or, mix it with sugar.
9. Make lip gloss
Add 3 teaspoons of almond oil, 4 teaspoons of coconut oil, 2 teaspoons of beeswax, and a shaving of lipstick (for color). Melt it in a high-temperature-resistant glass container, inside of a pan of boiling water. Before it cools, add it to an empty tube of lipstick or a lip gloss container that you can buy from Amazon.
10. Make up remover
I keep a jar of blended coconut oil and jojobo oil to clean off any makeup, especially mascara and that stubborn eyelash glue. It works great!
11. As part of my double cleansing
I am Korean, and I use the Korean method of double cleansing. Oil cleansing got really popular a few years ago — but Korean women have been using the oil cleansing method as part of a two-step cleansing process for centuries. I use a blend of coconut oil and jojobo oil.
12. Moisturizer
I have one spot on my arm that gets really bad eczema. The only thing that solves it is when I use a blend of coconut oil and shea butter — about 1/3 shea butter and 2/3 coconut oil. I slap some of that before bedtime, and my eczema is gone! I also use a less rich version (1/5 shea butter and 5/6 coconut oil) as a general body lotion.
13. Shaving lotion
I rub coconut oil before getting into the shower, and then I shave after my skin has been heated up. Takes care of moisturizing too!
14. Massage oil
I particularly like this one :)
15. As a Neosporin replacement
Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, I use it instead of the commercial stuff for cuts. Simply wash your cut with hydrogen peroxide, pat dry, and then use some coconut oil before the bandaid.
16. Conditioner
When I want to deep condition my hair (usually on Sundays), I use a a dry shampoo of Bentonite clay, and follow up with a coconut conditioner. Note: I don’t go anywhere, and my hair is very dry. My hair is usually wrapped up in a pony tail as well during these days, so I cannot tell you for certain if your hair will get greasy.
17. Hair loss
Many claim that coconut oil can help with hair loss. I personally have not tried this method. However, I thought I would mention it.
18. After-sun care
I can personally attest to this. I don’t get burned too often, mostly due to my OCD aversion to the sun, but occasionally I get a mild sunburn. Coconut oil is great for soothing my skin — and I swear that my sunburn is gone by the next day.
19. Static-be-gone
Use a small amount, mix with a little water, and rub over your hair to get rid of the statics.
20. Get rid of foot odor/athlete’s foot
I occasionally make a baking soda and coconut scrub for my feet. Not only is this a great foot scrub, but the antifungal properties help get rid of anything nasty!!
House
21. For baby
Great as a moisturizer or baby’s bottom after wiping :)
22. Furniture polish
Add a bit of lemon juice and coconut together to make lemon oil furniture polish.
