Coconut oil is a great substance that you can use in many different ways around the house. From using coconut oil face wash to cleaning to using it as a gum remover, this nut byproduct is so versatile. If you have coconut oil in your pantry right now, here are some great ways to use it.
Make a coconut oil face wash
Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of baking soda for an all-natural DIY face scrub.
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make it smell how you want. Use it in the morning or at night, applying it using circular motions. Use a hot washcloth to remove.
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.
You can also put a thin sheen of coconut oil on your face overnight to maximize its moisturizing properties.
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
If this oil can do almost anything, can I use coconut oil to remove makeup? Why, yes! 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.
Make your own healthy mayonnaise
Another one of the great things to do with coconut oil is making healthy mayonnaise. All you need is some coconut oil and olive oil, as found in this recipe found at Wellness Mama.
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. You can also use coconut oil for itchy skin.
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.
Buff and shine stainless steel
Want to clean up stainless steel items? Try coconut oil.
All you need is a microfiber cleaning cloth or an old T-shirt. Rub on a small amount of coconut oil onto the surface using long strokes. Then buff it out with the cloth. Your stainless steel surfaces will look like new.
Can you use coconut oil to shave
While this recipe looks good enough to eat, don’t! Instead, use it as shaving cream. Gather coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, and eucalyptus essential oil. Then mix them up and shave. Find the how-to recipe here.
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.
So, how to cook using coconut oil? You can use it for sautéing, making popcorn, and baking.
DIY ice cream magic shell
Whether you love ice cream or your kids do, spice up your next dessert with a homemade magic shell.
All you need is 1 to 2 cups of chocolate and 1 cup of coconut oil. Check out this easy-to-make recipe to get started.
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.
Takeaway
Coconut oil might be one of the most versatile and healthiest oil out there. From a coconut oil face wash to shaving cream, this sweet-smelling oil is so useful. So the next time you plop yourself down by the beach, we bet you’ll never see that coconut tree the same way again.
Try these out for yourself and tell us what you think!