5 Uses for Coconut Oil

on September 9, 2009 at 7:27 AM

16 oz. Coconut Oil

$12.99 From GNC.com

This weekend I was (once again) complaining about my greasy hair, and my mother-in-law sang the praises of coconut oil and its many natural beauty and health benefits. It moisturizes, conditions, nourishes, refreshes—you name it, coconut oil does it.

Here are five reasons to give coconut oil a try:

1. It moisturizes skin: Often used in expensive skin care products, coconut oil has a lot of fat, which is great for moisturizing and refreshing dry skin, as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Use it after shaving or on chapped lips. It's mostly recommended for the body—not the face. Try this DIY Honey and Coconut Oil Moisturizer or this DIY Body Scrub.

2. It conditions damaged hair. Just massage a small amount into your scalp.

3. It relieves itchy skin irritations and mosquito bites. Care2 recommends mixing 1 cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil, 1 teaspoon Tea Tree oil,C and 20 drops of Lavender Essential oil; and applying to the inflammation.

4. It whitens teeth. Just swish 1 teaspoon (don't swallow!) before brushing.

5. It removes mascara. A dab of coconut oil on a cotton swab is all you need!

In addition to these beauty benefits, coconut oil may also protect against disease and cancer, relieve stress, promote weight loss, heal scrapes and cuts, boost energy, and aid in digestion. Pretty impressive, eh?

Do you use coconut oil?

Related Posts:

Coconut Oil Nourishes Skin and Hair

Avocado Face and Hair Mask

How to Cut a Mango

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: beauty, body, diy, hair, skin

Comments (9)

RanaAurora

on Sep 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM

I will be using it in my homemade baby wipe solution. :)

Report this comment

LuminousMom

on Sep 9, 2009 at 12:37 PM

I love coconut oil :) I always have it on hand for soap-making and thats what made me fall in love with it. Its also great as a massage oil for couples, great in the kitchen (its healthier to cook with) for stir frying, popping popcorn, and many other things!

on Sep 9, 2009 at 5:20 PM

PS you can get pure coconut oil from walmart for around $4.00! Its LouAnna brand and its 31.5oz. Much better deal!

fmchavez

on Sep 10, 2009 at 7:20 PM

Diaper rash cream/oil! My MIL broke my jar of Coconut oil :( I really need to get another jar soon.

kimberlyal

on Sep 11, 2009 at 6:34 PM

wow maybe ill try it

JoyandLove

on Sep 13, 2009 at 12:49 PM

I love coconut oil.

Midnite00

on Sep 14, 2009 at 11:14 PM

Love coconut oil I make my own lotions for my hair and skin with it

texasgypsy

on Sep 29, 2009 at 7:13 PM

i use it as a makeup remover, for dry spots, for my heels in the winter when they get cracked and dry, for my hair and of course, to cook. LOL

Nonmember comment from Healthy Oil Guy

on Apr 13, 2010 at 11:04 AM

I'm a big fan of virgin coconut oil and have been using it for the past 3 years. At first I started by frying with it and now I use it for moisturizing my skin and also for conditioning my hair. Make sure to use virgin organic coconut oil as this is the best coconut oil to use.