CoconutOil_1Coconut oil is a fabulous product that is versatile beyond belief. It has so many benefits for your skin, your body, and your tastebuds! Because I use coconut oil all the time in my daily life, I decided to compile a list of my top ten favorite uses for coconut oil. Enjoy!

  1. Makeup remover:
    Coconut oil is a wonderful, chemical-free makeup remover. All you have to do is melt it, and then apply! You will only need to use a little bit to remove your makeup. It is also great for cleaning your makeup brushes. To clean your brushes, dip the brushes in liquid coconut oil, gently rub the brush until your makeup products come off, and then rinse with warm water. Voila! Added bonus, it might also give your brushes a lovely little coconut scent.  
  2. Face Scrub:
    Coconut oil makes for a great base ingredient in a yummy face scrub. All you will need for your own DIY face scrub is melted coconut oil and sea salt. The sea salt is a great exfoliator, while the coconut oil rehydrates your skin. This scrub is great for sensitive skin, as the chemical-free ingredients won’t act as irritants. This face scrub is also a great gift idea! Find printable spa labels for your scrub in this post. 
  3. Moisturizer: 
    Coconut oil is amazingly hydrating, both for your body and for your skin. For this reason, it is a great natural moisturizer! My arms and hands always tend to dry out during the winter months, and coconut oil is the perfect solution. It doesn’t irritate my skin like a lot of store-bought lotions do, and it is all-natural, which I love. Just remember that it’s an oil, so a little will go a long way!  
  4. Oral Health:
    Because coconut oil is a natural anti-bacterial, it is so good for your mouth and teeth. It can help with bad breath, add a shiny white gleam to your teeth, and even help with tooth decay! Any cuts in your mouth or sore gums will immediately be soothed by using coconut oil. I have also tried coconut oil for oil pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient practice used to improve your oral and overall health. It is wonderful for a DIY detox! Swish coconut oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes and you will take so many toxins out of your body. I like to do my oil pulling while I hop in the shower, because it is a great way to keep track of how long you’ve been swishing. It may not be the most pleasant experience, but it is so worth it for how wonderful you will feel after!   
  5. Bug Bites, Sunburns, and Cuts:
    Not only is coconut oil an anti-bacterial, but it is also a natural anti-inflammatory, making it great as a salve for burns, cuts, and bites! And it’s perfect for all those hot glue gun burns 😉 Coconut oil will clean your cuts and help with soothing pain. You can even use it on your blemishes as a facial cleanser. It is basically a miracle creme for your skin! 
  6. Cooking:
    Incorporating this ingredient into my cooking is one of my very favorite uses for coconut oil. Popcorn is of course one of my top gluten-free indulgences, and coconut oil makes it even tastier. Hand pop your kernels in coconut oil and it will be delicious! Coat the bottom of your pan with coconut oil (maybe 1-2 tablespoons, depending on the pan), and you are ready to go. It tastes better than regular popcorn and is a healthier, lower-calorie alternative to butter. Yes please! Coconut oil can be a great substitute for butter in general because it works well with high heat cooking. The possibilities are endless!
  7. Dogs:
    Coconut oil is great for people and pets alike! There are so many amazing uses for coconut oil that act as quick-fixes for doggie health issues. First, as with humans, coconut oil is great for their teeth. Feed 1/2 teaspoon to smaller dogs and up to 1 tablespoon to larger dogs to give them fresh breath and healthy chompers! It makes their coats shiny and their stomachs healthy (coconut oil is great for your digestive system). If your dog’s skin gets dry and itchy in the winter, or has allergies, coconut oil is a great solution. You can feed them the amount described above, or just rub a bit directly onto their skin or paws.  
  8. Deodorant:
    Here is another great way to turn coconut oil into an all-natural beauty product. Everyone needs deodorant, so why not make it yourself! Check out the recipe, including printable deodorant labels, in this post.
  9. Body Butter:
    As I previously mentioned, coconut oil is a great moisturizer because it is naturally hydrating. You can put coconut oil directly onto your skin, or you can make a luscious DIY body butter! Start by choosing your favorite essential oils to customize the scent of your body butter. Follow the recipe in this post and you are on your way to silky goodness! 
  10. Lip Balm:
    Coconut oil is a super effective moisturizer, and even naturally has a small amount of SPF! This makes it the perfect base for a lip balm. Find my full recipe in this post. You can play around with adding a touch of color if you’re looking for something with a hint of glamor. And it is 100% DIY!

 

There are so many uses for coconut oil, and these are just a few! You can find coconut oil at your local grocer or health foods store. I tend to buy it in larger quantities because I use it for so many things, and my personal favorite brand is Nutiva. If you need liquid coconut oil, like you would for making makeup remover, melting your coconut oil is super easy because the melting point is fairly low (around 75 degrees F). Pop it in the microwave or heat it over the stove at a low temperature and it is ready to use. Cheers! ~ Lia

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