25 Amazing Health and Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of those universal wonders of nature that has a place in almost every room in the house. Many natural skincare recipes use coconut oil to repair moisture, exfoliate skin, and help with healing. As a light oil, it’s not hard to see how you might use it to keep your skin soft and supple and who doesn’t like that a sweet, coconut flavor when they cook? The real question is what truly amazing coconut oil uses are you and your family are missing out on? Below, 25 amazing health and beauty uses for coconut oil.
1. Remove Stubborn Makeup
A dab on a cotton ball is all it takes to break down the protective coating in waterproof mascara. Make sure to wipe under your eyes, as well, to remove any traces of makeup and to gently moisturize the sensitive skin there. When you’re done, simply wash your face using your favorite cleanser and moisturize as usual.
2. Gently Exfoliate
Mix your coconut oil in a bowl with a couple tablespoons of granulated sugar to gently exfoliate your skin while in the shower. The sugar and dead skin cells will go down the drain, but enough oil will remain to keep your skin soft and luscious.
3. Prevent Razor Burn
Coconut oil is more cost effective and environmentally friendly than chemically based shaving creams. It’s light enough to soften the skin in preparation for shaving without irritation or clogged pores.
4. Protect Delicate Areas
Dab a bit of coconut oil lightly around your eyes not just to moisturize, but to protect that delicate tissue and help prevent those fine lines from appearing.
5. Soften Skin
Add beauty first aid to your list of coconut oil uses. Carry a small bottle of coconut oil in your bag and use it to perk up a tired face. Just brush a little bit along your cheek bones to soften the skin.
6. Deep Condition Hair
Coconut oil penetrates better than most deep conditioners without leaving a chemical residue. Rub it on at bedtime, going from scalp to the tips of the strands, put on a shower cap and leave it in overnight. In the morning, shampoo and condition your lush locks as usual.
7. Calm Flyaways
Use just a drop or two to control dry hair and keep those flyaways in check.
8. Control Dandruff
A scalp massage with coconut oil before each shampoo means you don’t need harsh dandruff products. The use of coconut oil for hair doesn’t stop there, either. It will work to rid your little ones of lice in much the same way.
9. Stimulate Hair Growth
Coconut oil is a natural choice to stimulate hair growth, so while you are massaging your scalp, pay extra attention to any thinning areas.
10. Ease Muscle Pain
Coconut oil is just slippery enough to cut the friction without leaving a sticky residue behind. Use it after a workout to soothe sore muscles or when you want to ease muscle pain for a special someone.
11. Use for Oil Pulling
Just put about a teaspoon of the oil in your mouth and swish it around for 20 minutes each day. The antimicrobial effect of the oil combined with the gentle swishing motion will leave you with a fresh clean mouth and pearly white teeth.
12. Nourish Dry Cuticles
Dry cuticles lead to painful hangnails, so get proactive with a little dab of coconut oil. Just massage it in each morning or before your next mani-pedi.
13. Moisturize Chapped Lips
Coconut oil is perfect for those cold days when your lips are dry and cracked.
14. Treat Stretch Marks
We all have them! Just rub a dab in over your problem areas to reduce scarring and enhance healthy skin growth.
15. Whiten Teeth
Mix a little coconut oil with baking soda to scrub away tartar for whiter teeth and fresher breath.
16. Relieve Itchy Skin
Keep a small bottle in a first aid kit or picnic basket to treat bug bites and other itchy skin problems whether you are heading to the beach or to play in the park.
17. Elevate A Relaxing Bath
A few drops in your bath water is all it takes to soften and soothe itchy, dry skin.
18. Prevent Acne Breakouts
Coconut oil will not clog your pores and the antibacterial properties keep infection at bay. Apply the oil to existing pimples and problem areas for relief.
19. Care for a Sunburn
Once your skin cools down, apply a little coconut oil to moisture the skin, ease the sunburn pain and prevent infection.
20. Treat the Common Cold
Coconut oil isn’t the cure for the common cold but it can help relieve dry nostrils and sooth the sore skin around your nose. Just a little dab on a tissue is all you need.
21. Create a Chemical-Free Deodorant
A little coconut oil with arrowroot powder, cornstarch and baking soda provide you with a healthy, natural and chemical-free deodorant.
22. Prevent and Treat Chaffing
Take that same formula and use it as a body powder in areas prone to chafing like under the breasts. It can help relieve vaginal irritation and dryness, as well.
23. Use as a Cooking Oil
Cooking with coconut oil introduces you to a rich antioxidant and may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
24. Increase Energy
At least one study states that coconut oil benefits may include weight loss. The study author found that using coconut oil increases fat burning – giving you more energy.
25. Add A Little Sweetness
Coconut oil adds a sweet and slightly nutty flavor to your baked goods and smoothies.
Coconut oil is a win-win solution for more things than you probably realize. Keep a bottle handy in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.
