Coconut oil is not only useful for baking and cooking; you can also use it on yourself and your pets. Plus, it can be used to clean a wide variety of household items!
Here are more than 20 genius ways you can start using coconut oil, including for things like dairy-free desserts, skincare, and even removing gum from hair.
Use coconut oil as a moisturizer for your skin
Coconut oil has moisturizing properties that are healthy for the skin. Plus, some oils, including coconut oil, have been found to have UV filters, which help block out the harmful effects of the Sun. To use the oil, just warm it up by rubbing it between your palms. Then apply it directly to your skin. Doing so right after showering onto your damp skin makes application easier.
Ease hemorrhoid discomfort and relieve constipation
In addition to its other healthful properties, coconut oil has laxative benefits. This can be helpful if you suffer from constipation. Take 1 tablespoon of the oil in the morning before you eat. If your constipation doesn’t get better in a day or two, take 2 tablespoons.
Remove crayon easily from walls
The picture for this tip says it all! Your sweet little one is bound to get ahold of a crayon from time to time, and when that happens, you can use coconut oil to fix the problem. To remove a crayon from a wall, rub coconut oil on the wall. This tip also works for removing scuff marks off the floor.
Create a DIY lip balm
Coconut is a great, all-natural ingredient for your own DIY lip balm. Simply melt two tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave, heating it for 30 seconds. Remove and add a drop or two of vanilla and stir until smooth. pour into an empty container and place it in the fridge for half an hour to harden it.
Smooth out your split ends
Using coconut oil to help smooth split ends helps make your hair look healthier. Rub a pea-sized amount of the oil between your hands and run it through the ends of your hair. Make sure not to use too much, and make sure your hair is dry before you apply it.
Make your own makeup remover
Coconut oil also works great as a makeup remover. Gentle to your face, coconut oil contains none of the harsh chemicals that other makeup removers do. To use, melt the oil using the heat of your hand and gently massage it into your skin. Wring out a hot washcloth and rub your face until all the makeup has been removed.
Soothe your pet’s skin
Coconut oil has so many benefits that you can even use it on your pet. One way you can use it for your beloved pet is for soothing dry, itchy skin. You can let your pet consume 1 teaspoon or less or rub the oil directly on the dry skin. As soon as the oil soaks in, it should make a noticeable difference.
Relieve sunburns, bug bites, and rashes
Anti-inflammatory agents help soothe and calm sensitive skin. That’s why coconut oil can help relieve bug bites, sunburns, and rashes. Keep a small jar of the oil in your fridge and apply it to any skin issues that develop as necessary. Because the oil will harden in the fridge, chip off a small amount of the oil and apply it to the rash or burn.
Prevent chafing and soothe skin
Chafing can cause your skin to itch or burn, an annoyance to say the least. But you can easily treat sensitive skin by using a simple coconut oil recipe. You’ll need Coconut oil, arrowroot powder, baking soda, and lavender oil.
Minimize your cat’s hairballs
If your cat suffers from hairballs, try coconut oil. Start by putting a very small amount of the oil directly onto your cat’s paws, and when she licks them, the oil will go through her digestive system, helping to keep the hairballs from coming back up. Then give her 1/2 teaspoon or less of the oil each day. But remember that the oil is a laxative, so definitely don’t give your cat too much.
Use for oil pulling
Another use of coconut oil is for oil pulling. This unconventional use for coconut oil is used in Ayurvedic medicine. The belief is that swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil for 20 minutes a day can help detoxify your mouth, killing the bacteria that live there. This in turn cuts down on bad breath, inflammation, and helps prevent tooth decay.
Use to increase metabolism
Coconut oil contains MCTs, a fatty acid that absorbs calories and increases the burning of calories. The increase of MCTs in your system from ingesting coconut oil has been shown to boost your body’s metabolic rate.
Remove gum from hair
If you don’t have peanut butter handy or have a nut allergy, you can also use coconut oil to get gum out of your child’s hair. Apply it generously to where the gum is stuck. You’ll want to make sure to softly coat the gum and hair. Then, gently pull the hair away from the gum. With a little perseverance, this method should work.
Use for cooking at high temperatures
The high saturated fat content of coconut oil makes it great for cooking at high heat. This makes coconut oil safer when cooking as opposed to corn or safflower oil which turn into toxic compounds when heated.
Use as a bug repellent
Keeping pesky mosquitos or other bugs away can be a royal pain. And bug repellents are pretty disgusting. So try this: Make your own bug repellent that smells lovely and moisturizes your skin at the same time. Combine coconut oil with essential oils that have bug-repellant properties, including peppermint, citronella, or lavender. Then apply a little, and you have a natural bug repellent.
Create your own personal lubricant
Yep, it’s true! You can use coconut oil as a personal lubricant. But DO NOT ever use it with a latex condom because the oil can weaken the latex, potentially causing it to break. So if you use coconut oil as a personal lubricant, buy latex-free condoms — polyisoprene or lambskin.
Can increase your good cholesterol
Coconut oil raises the levels of cholesterol in the body, especially the good, or HDL cholesterol. Keep in mind that the amount that coconut increases cholesterol depends on the person, so results may vary.
Can help reduce belly fat?
Coconut oil has been shown to help reduce belly fat. Consumption of as little as 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day has seen a loss of 1 inch in obese men and an increase in the decrease of the waist size of women who took part in a reduced-calorie diet.
Helps decrease hunger
The MCTs in coconut oil can also help reduce the hunger level in those who ingest it. A study shows that men who followed a diet high in MCTs tended to eat fewer calories and lose more weight than men who had diets either medium or low in MCT content.
Prevent nosebleeds
If you or anyone in your family has dry or itchy nasal passages that sometimes bleed, use coconut oil. Use a small amount of the oil to moisturize your nostrils. This should also help prevent your nostrils from drying out if you live in cold or dry climates.
Can help improve wound healing?
The anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil have been shown to help promote the healing of wounds. In addition, wounds treated with coconut oil were shown to have an increase in the production of collagen, a component crucial in skin regeneration. If you have a wound apply coconut oil after cleaning it and cover with a bandage for faster healing.
Can increase bone health
In addition to helping you heal faster, coconut oil can keep your bones strong and healthy. The antioxidants in coconut oil help neutralize free radicals, which can damage the cells in your bones, giving your bones more volume and improving their structure.
Try this if your pet’s appetite is low
Whenever your pet’s appetite is low, try this: Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil on your hands and toss your dog his food. The food will smell attractive and help encourage your pet to eat. This is especially important if your dog takes medication and needs to eat at the same time.
Prevent and treat dandruff
Dandruff can be frustrating to treat. But coconut oil can help treat and prevent dry skin or the yeast-like fungus that causes dandruff, called Malassezia. Apply coconut oil to your scalp regularly to both moisturize dry areas and allow the oil’s anti-fungal properties to help treat dandruff.
