It seems like every week there’s a new “it” product, and it’s hard to keep up! Natural products are the latest buzz right now, but are all of these oils and extracts really all they’re cracked up to be? I can tell you for certain that when it comes to coconut oil, it’s truly miraculous. Not only that, but you can’t even imagine how many things you can use coconut oil for. I know of some potentially unexpected uses for this wonder oil that will take your health and beauty routine to a whole other level.
1. Hair Mask
It’s not easy to find a shampoo or hair product that’s not full of chemicals and additives that strip your hair of essentials instead of nourishing and replenishing your strands, like they may claim. That’s why so many women are taking the natural route and using oils. Not just any oil: coconut oil. There are some oils that just coat your hair in a thin layer of moisture and nourishment that doesn’t really penetrate the follicles or make enough of a difference to justify using them. If you’re looking for long, luscious locks that are soft and super shiny, then coconut oil is the solution. It also prevents hair loss with its vitamin content and keeps it super strong by protecting the protein.
To create a hair mask, simply grab about 2-4 tablespoons of the oil and rub it into your locks. Try to avoid a high concentration on your scalp, and instead allow for the bulk of the oil to coat your strands and ends. Let it sit for about a half an hour to an hour, and rinse it out. For some ladies, washing coconut oil out of their hair can be quite the process. If simply rinsing it isn’t enough, you can combine egg and a tablespoon of water to create a rinse to coat your hair and rinse out. If you need even more than that, you can use a tablespoon of castile soap, coat your hair, and rinse.
2. Teeth Cleaner
Can you believe that you can simply use coconut oil to cleanse and whiten your teeth?! Believe it or not, this technique, sometimes referred to as “oil pulling” is a method that’s been used for years. All you have to do is swish it in your mouth for about 20 minutes, spit it out, and then brush your teeth as per usual. The lauric acid in the coconut oil is what does the trick, eliminating the bacterium that causes plaque. Twenty minutes seems like a long time, but take that time to catch up on the latest gossip or answer your e-mails.
3. Make Up Remover
While make-up wipes are easy and portable, how frustrating is it to scrub and scrub at your face trying to get your makeup off, only to still see stubborn mascara or liner still lingering on your face. Not only can they be stubborn, but they can be harsh against your skin. The constant rubbing can have your face feeling raw and looking red. For those of you with sensitive skin, finding an efficient make-up remover that doesn’t irritate your face or make you break out can be a mission. Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and place it on a cotton pad, and just gently wipe. No need to mix it around in anything! You’ll want to rinse your face afterwards to remove all the residue.
4. Body Tanner
Put that baby oil away, ladies! If you’re going to be out in the sun and are hoping to bronze up your skin, don’t cook yourself and don’t skip the sunscreen. Using some coconut oil with your regular sunscreen routine can help enhance the color of your skin without the potential for major sunburn like you’ll get with the baby oil. After you have applied your sunscreen with HIGH SPF for the best protection, you can rub some coconut oil on your exposed areas. The oil will act as a hydrating agent so your skin doesn’t dry out while you’re basking in the sun.
5. Cooking
When you hear everyone going “Coconut oil can be used for anything!” clearly, it can. Also, you know how everyone is calling all of the trendy new foods “superfoods” because they are supposedly so good for you? Coconut oil SERIOUSLY is! Bringing it back to its most obvious and basic use, coconut oil is an excellent addition to so many yummy recipes. Not only is it tasty, but it is so jam packed with nutrients that are incredible for your health! According to some research, coconut oil is metabolized in a way that can have positive effects on people with brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s. Also, because of the high caloric content, many nations and cultures get most of their nutrients from coconuts – and it’s been found that these people are some of the healthiest in the world! It’s also a great fighting agent for getting rid of pesky bugs and viruses, a fantastic energy source that burns away fat, and has natural properties that can help you keep your appetite in check without dangerous supplements. I could go on and on! If you want to try and incorporate coconut oil in your diet, consider putting it in coffee, pouring it into your stir fry, or using it as an alternative to unhealthy oils in deep frying!
It probably doesn’t seem like coconut oil can get any better, right? But it’s SUPER CHEAP, so there’s no reason at all why you shouldn’t consider grabbing yourself a tub the next time you’re at your local grocery store. You will get so much use out of it and it’ll become one of your favorite things ever.
Tell me what you use coconut oil for, and maybe I’ll give it a try! I’d love to hear your ideas and experiences.
11 Comments
:) i love coconut oil! i use it for my hair.
You can use it for your feet. I get a coconut pedicure. They salon uses coconut shavings to exfoliate the skin and oil to massage and moisturize. I also use it has a face mask. It leaves the skin looking youthful.
I use coconut oil for hair and skin…..just homemade coconut oil…..truly healthy and looking youthful skin that I got it…..nice .its better than chemical products treatment.
I use it as a hair mask all the time..works so well! I also use it as a moisturizer on dry skin. It helps with excema when that rears it’s ugly face in the winter lol
Preach! My love for coconut oil is immense. It’s the best!
xx
Where would you recommend we buy this from, which stores? target, ultra whole foods?
I recommend buying organic coconut oil so anywhere you can find it… I get mine from Sprouts.
Very practical advice, Sona! I had no idea about the teeth-whitening properties. I’m going to try that soon! Question, does coconut oil leave a specific flavor in food? My husband doesn’t really like the flavor of coconut but I’d really like to use it in cooking, so I’m wondering if he’ll be able to tell. ;) Thanks!
It is the best makeup remover ever. I don’t even put it on a cotton pad, I just put it on my fingers and gently rub my eyes and wallah. Olive oil is a good one as well. :] I don’t know about “swishing my mouth” with this though (I tried to eat a whole tbsp once as part of a diet, twas ew).
I just bought my first tub of coconut oil, so I had to read this post. I plan to use it as a makeup remover, but I now have a lot of other great uses from this post and discussion. Thanks all!
Have you tried coconut oil as a teeth whithener? It seems a little strange to me, but i would like to try it. By the way i love it for my hair mask. After using it, my hair is really soft and shiny. I recommend it everybody! ;)