40 Wildly Different Uses for Coconut Oil

Whether for your health or for your home, coconut oil has the power to transform your day-to-day with its both nutritional and practical properties.

It isn’t breaking news that fatty butter isn’t especially great for your ticker or overall health. But that doesn’t mean we should suffer! That is where coconut oil saves the day by acting as a great fill-in. And it doesn’t only apply to baking but for greasing pans and high heat cooking, too.

Typically, the dreaded dandruff is caused by a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. By applying coconut oil to your scalp regularly you’re able to treat the dry patches brought on by the fungus. Furthermore, you’re allowing the coconut oil’s naturally occurring anti-fungal properties to kick in.

It’s no secret that once gum gets into someone’s hair (especially a wiggling child), it’s very difficult to get out without the use of scissors. Before you reach for the blades hear us out: this is where coconut oil saves the day.

Just as coconut oil offers a source of hydration to your skin, it also has the same healing properties for your beloved pets. Plus, you don’t need to break the bank to do it. Apply some coconut oil to your dog’s cracked paws in the summer and winter to avoid future issues and discomfort.

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but oftentimes Chapstick is designed to keep your lips dehydrated. It’s true. It keeps you reaching for it again and again, doesn’t it? Coconut oil on the other hand wants nothing from you and is simply there to nourish.

Buffer off dead skin and find your true glow. Coconut oil has incredibly hydrating properties which makes it a great candidate for a DIY shower buffer. The formula is simple: mix coconut oil and brown sugar or salt, and if you’re feeling extra extravagant throw some of your favorite essential oils in there.

This coconut oil use tip is easy, efficient, and a must-have for anyone who takes good care of their skin. All you have to do is combine your coconut oil with essential oil with natural bug repelling properties such as Teatree, peppermint, citronella, chamomile, eucalyptus, or lavender.

With coconut oil’s naturally hydrating properties and oily make-up, it should come as no surprise that it can be used to wipe away the residue of the day (or night). Take a scoop and smear it around the targeted areas and let it sit for one minute.

With all this talk of the hydrating properties of coconut oil, it seems only natural that we would discuss the soothing agent to be used for sunburns! If you’ve experienced a bad burn or simply want to give your skin some love after a day in the sun, slab some coconut oil on your body for relief and self-care.

If you like to cook, it is always fun to try new recipes in the kitchen! While olive oil often takes the lead in salad dressing recipes, coconut oil is not to be outdone and is a great counterpart coming with its own health benefits and distinctive flavor.

This miracle supply is not only good for soothing skin but for canceling out that annoying body odor scent that comes with it. If you catch a whiff of yourself and need some relief, fear not! Coconut oil is great for the underarms.

We’ve all been there, tugging and pulling to no avail. It’s cold, your jacket is stuck (or worse—your jeans) and no amount of pulling and tugging will release it. This is where coconut oil is your friend.

If you are looking for a natural and DIY alternative to toothpaste or simply forgot to pick it up on your way home after work (it happens), this hack is for you! The good news is that you’ll likely have both the required ingredients lying around.

If you worry about the longevity of your eggs, try this helpful tip. It’s eggsellent. Seal the pores of the eggshells with coconut oil by wiping a small amount around the entirety of the egg.

Just like your hair, your lashes need some love too. Especially if you’re exposing them to dehydrating mascaras day in and day out. Apply coconut oil to a cotton swab and lightly apply it to the upper and lower lid along the line of your eyelashes before bed. Use your fingers to gently pull the coconut oil from root to tip.

Apply a small amount to the ends of your damp hair, combing through. Be careful to avoid your roots as coconut oil is well… oil and can make your hair look greasy if applied too liberally or high on your head. The moisture will lock in any stragglers and ensure your hair stays tame and hydrated.

Keeping your makeup brushes clean and bacteria-free is a top priority to keeping your face clear and healthy. This means for the ones you use daily; you should be cleaning once a week! The more you know.

Replace your boring and cost-inefficient lotion with coconut oil for a sensuous and relaxing massage. This oil goes a long way with only a little application. The best part? You can create whatever fragranced massage oil you please! So many to choose from…

To cook your meals to delicious perfection on your cast iron skillet, you need to prep with a well-seasoned base. While you can season your cast iron with vegetable oil or shortening, what you may not know is that coconut oil also has its hat in the ring.

We all know that being a baby and being a new mom comes with a lot of new territories and more than a few bodily discomforts to adjust to. That’s where this clean and simple solution comes in.

Keep your precious wood cutting boards and spoons lasting longer and in rotation by conditioning them and keeping them nice. Apply coconut oil generously to your kitchen items and ensure they stick around.

Do something different on your next camping trip. Ditch the lighter fluid and instead bring the coconut oil along! The process is simple, roll and soak cotton balls in the coconut oil and put them at the base of your kindling.

Ditch the sugary cough drops next time you’re feeling under the weather and instead opt for coconut oil. You can either take a teaspoon and eat it raw or you can stir it into your tea for a relaxing treat while you’re under the weather.

Pamper your nail beds, they deserve it. Apply coconut oil to your cuticles as needed throughout the day and help them stay clean and healthy. The anti-fungal properties of coconut oil will keep your hands moisturized and make it easier to push your cuticles back to grow back healthier.

We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we moisturize in it! A large culprit of nose bleeds are often the drying effects brought on by dry weather. To keep your nostrils from suffering such a fate, gently apply a light coat of coconut oil around the inside of your nostrils along with a small amount on the outer nostrils.

If your skin could use a hydrating boost or perhaps just a bit more love, look no further. You most likely already have all the ingredients you need to create a glowing skincare regimen to exfoliate and moisturize.

We all deserve a nice glass of red wine, a great pasta, or some savory pizza from time to time; it doesn’t mean we deserve to suffer! So, let’s not. Help your aching heart and pesky acid reflux with a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil.

Having a baby on the way is a magical time that changes your body and deserves to be remembered. However, perhaps we don’t want all the memories imprinted on our skin for decades to come. For this, apply coconut oil!

We all know that sports drinks are jam packed with salts and sugars to get us going for our big events and workouts, but who needs that? We want to keep our drinks as clean as we can.

Create your own at-home spa. Add a scoop of coconut oil to your bath to get your skin extra hydrated. While running your bath water, liberally apply your coconut oil to the water along with a scoop of Epsom salt (if you have that lying around) for a muscle-relaxing soak

Smooth out your man’s (or your own) beard! Facial hair can be a bit wild if not properly tamed, which can feel uncomfortable on the skin of the beard owner and the romantic partner of one. Ouch! No need to be uncomfortable.

Up the ante at the start of your day! Adding 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil to your morning smoothie will do wonders for your overall health. Not only does coconut oil have cholesterol fighting compounds, but it also has an energy boost to get your day started right.

Yes, you can make mouthwash at home! If you’ve already gone ahead and made the DIY toothpaste that we listed above, then surely, you’d enjoy the mouthwash as well. Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda with a few drops of peppermint essential oil to taste.

To have the most luminous skin after you’ve lathered and rinsed off in the shower, pat yourself dry and apply a generous amount of coconut oil from head to toe! There is not a body part that won’t lap it up. The coconut oil will offer yummy hydration and relief after shaving.

Give yourself a youthful and lightweight glow without the heaviness or chemical ingredients of makeup. Apply small dabs of coconut oil from your fingertips to your cheek bones and eyelids to give yourself a dewy shine.

Inflammation is uncomfortable and can lead to chronic issues. Luckily, coconut oil supports a healthy kidney and liver. Researchers say that consuming virgin coconut oil that has not been treated with chemicals inhibits inflammation.

This miracle oil isn’t just safe for the outside of your skin, it also has a place in your sex life. This resourceful lubricant is an easy and helpful tool between the sheets.

We could all use an immunity boost whenever possible. Who likes getting sick? Coconut oil offers so much of what our body needs to fight off infection. The list includes: lauric acid, and caprylic acid, and capric acid.

If you find yourself in a sticky situation with a burn, open wound, or rash, and are short on Neosporin or are looking for something different, we’ve got a solution for you. Create a homemade wound ointment by mixing coconut oil, frankincense, lavender, and melaleuca oil.

Why waste money on a leather repair kit when you don’t have to? Rub some coconut oil on your leather shoes, bag, or belt to give them a refreshing natural shine. It seems almost too easy…and it is. The coconut oil will disguise unsightly blemishes and give them a fresh and new look again.