40 Uses for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has a high smoke point of 350 degrees F. This is important because many of us cook at medium to high temperatures, but we may not be using an oil with the appropriate smoke point.

When too much heat is applied, most oils develop toxic compounds. Because of the saturated fat in coconut oil, it’s relatively stable and makes for one of the best oils to cook with.

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but it makes an excellent salad dressing when it’s melted.

You can use coconut oil in place of olive oil to reap some of the benefits while getting in your leafy greens. Just mix with some herbs and spices. Dr. Oz has a delicious coconut oil salad dressing recipe.

Coconut oil, especially MCT oil, is a popular source of healthy fats on the ketogenic diet.

Researchers actually found that MCT oil leads to greater weight loss than olive oil. If you’re trying the keto diet for weight management, try some keto fat bomb recipes that use coconut oil.

Our keto egg roll in a bowl recipe is a great one to start with. Even if you’re not doing the keto diet specifically, coconut oil can still be used as part of your weight loss regimen.

Many baking recipes call for vegetable oils like canola oil or sunflower oil. These oils are highly processed and there’s concern that vegetable oils have negative health effects.

A simple trick is to use coconut oil instead. You still get the healthy fat and moisture that your baked goods need without wondering if you’re putting your health at risk. 

Need a quick way to get in your healthy fats? Try adding coconut oil to smoothies.

Like in coffee, coconut oil adds a creamy, slippery texture to smoothies.

It can also help mask the taste of leafy greens or green powders you might add to smoothies.

Coconut oil is very creamy because it’s solid at room temperature like butter. If you add it to your coffee, it will melt into the perfect coffee creamer consistency. 

You can also add a sweetener, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract to make it more flavorful. Bulletproof coffee also calls for coconut oil. It’s designed to boost fat burning, but it also tastes great.

We’re big fans of multipurpose ingredients or products. Why buy multiple products when one can do the job of many?

If you keep a jar of coconut oil in your pantry, it can double as a non-stick solution. A little goes a long way if you use a non-stick pan, too.

One of our favorite coconut oil uses is as a carrier for essential oils. If you’ve wanted to dip your toes into aromatherapy, you can do so with your jar of coconut oil.

Simply mix one tablespoon of coconut oil with several tablespoons of your favorite essential oils.

We have a guide on how to use essential oils to help get you started.

Little ones spilled juice on themselves, soaking your new couch in the process?

Or your dog tracked dirty paw prints onto your favorite rug? Fortunately, coconut oil is a handy carpet and fabric furniture stain remover. You’ll need baking soda, though.

Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda until it forms a paste. This paste can be used to scrub out stains in carpets, rugs, and your beloved fabric sofa.

Essential oils can have powerful effects depending on how you use them.

One way to use coconut oil is to mix it with insect-repelling essential oils for a DIY natural bug spray.

When mixed with ylang ylang oil (C. odorata oil), coconut oil can reduce mosquito bites by up to 98.9%.

Another furniture-related use of coconut oil is polishing wooden furniture.

Coconut oil has the magical property of restoring wood to its original shine. It repels dust, so this will actually make your wood look shinier for longer.

It has the same effect on granite countertops and metal surfaces like your kitchen appliances.

You can replace your expensive leather conditioner with coconut oil. Apply a small amount to genuine leather and rub it in.

It’s better to test a small part of the leather first as this trick only works on shiny leather.

Coconut oil makes for an excellent base in many household products, including soaps.

You can make handmade soap at home using just coconut oil, sodium hydroxide, and essential oils.

You can even thin out this formula with water to make a laundry detergent that’s perfect for sensitive baby skin.

(If DIY cleaning products is too much work, check out our guide to natural cleaning products you can buy in stores and online.)

Cleaning your beauty tools is a tedious task, but one that’s important for your skin and hair health.

You don’t need to buy a special brush cleanser, though—just use coconut oil and your hands.

Coconut oil breaks down makeup, so it practically melts off your makeup brushes. It has the same effect on hair brushes, too.

Dried coconut oil has the unique property of repelling dust.

If you have a bookshelf or entertainment stand that loves to collect dust, add a thin layer of coconut oil to the surface. 

The coconut oil will prevent dust from settling. This works with wood, granite, plastic, metal, and cement surfaces.

One thoroughly cared for and well-seasoned cast iron pan can last your entire lifetime.

A natural way to season cast iron is with a layer of coconut oil. Make sure it covers the entire pan and place it in a hot oven.

This will create a coating that protects the surface and prevents rust. Refined coconut oil works the best for this use.

Coconut oil has been highly regarded for its positive effects on arthritis. It can help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, such as pain and immobility in joints.

Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, so it reduces inflammation not only in arthritis but in other cases.

It’s believed to alleviate inflamed organs and reduce the inflammation associated with chronic diseases.

Several years ago, coconut oil pulling swept the nation. The health benefits of oil pulling are not myths!

Coconut oil pulling actually improves dental health by reducing bacteria. It’s proven to be just as effective as antiseptic mouthwash.

MCT coconut oil is specifically touted for its brain health benefits.

The liver breaks down the MCT oil and converts it into ketones, which can then be used as an alternative energy source for the brain.

This can have a significant improvement in patients with brain disorders like Alzheimer’s.

Oils have long been regarded as heart-healthy sources of fat.

Coconut oil is especially noteworthy as it has the ability to ​​increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels 

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is an important part of preventing heart disease, which is currently the leading cause of death in Americans.

Coconut oil is a quick source of energy. It’s also processed differently from other foods.

It’s quickly digested, which is why many people use it to aid in weight loss. MCT oil is especially effective at enhancing weight loss.

Because of this, it’s a staple in the ketogenic diet.

Calcium isn’t the only thing that leads to strong bones.

The antioxidant compounds found in coconut oil contribute to stronger bones because they fight against free radical damage known as oxidative stress. 

Coconut oil may even prevent bone loss in patients with osteoporosis.

Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, which has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. It’s been proven to actively fight against candida bacteria.

This is good news for people struggling with candida or yeast infections. To treat candida with coconut oil, you can both consume coconut oil and apply it topically to the affected area.

Coconut oil’s antibacterial properties also lend help to healing wounds, cuts, scrapes, rashes, and burns.

Lauric acid and antioxidants found in coconut oil give it the ability to speed wound healing. Apply directly to the wound and seal it with a bandage.

Some people use coconut oil as a sunscreen because it naturally contains SPF 7. Another use, however, is soothing burns after sun exposure.

It promotes quicker healing and even offers pain relief. The lipids in coconut oil are believed to help heal burned skin.

If the skin is irritated or inflamed because of eczema, coconut oil can help. It also soothes dermatitis and psoriasis.

When applied topically, coconut oil can alleviate dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Patients may even notice improvements over time when coconut oil is used consistently.

In general, skin loves fatty moisturizers, which is why coconut oil is perfect for hydrating skin. It can be used all over the body.

Apply coconut oil on dry elbows and cracked heels as these are areas that need extra hydration.

Depending on your skin type, coconut oil make not be a good facial moisturizer. It’s been known to clog pores in oily skin types. 

We recommend you stick to moisturizing your body with coconut oil.

Coconut oil can be used in a plethora of homemade hair products—shampoo, conditioner, detangler, hair mask, hot treatment, etc. 

Letting coconut oil sit on your hair in a mask lets your hair reap the hydrating benefits for longer, though.

Pay close attention to the ends of your hair, as this is an area that your natural oils don’t usually reach.

Because of its antibacterial properties, coconut oil makes for a great natural deodorant. 

This prevents bacteria from accumulating and creating unwanted body odor.

Simply combine coconut oil into a paste with baking soda and some essential oils.

If you give yourself manicures at home, now is the time to start incorporating coconut oil. It works wonders on cuticles and nail beds.

Nails can become very dry and brittle over time, so it’s important to hydrate them occasionally.

Massaging coconut oil onto your nails can even help with painful hangnails. This also prepares your nails wonderfully for nail polish.

A little bit of coconut oil goes a long way as a makeup remover. Dab a small amount onto a cotton round and apply to areas with makeup. 

The coconut oil will liquefy your makeup so that it glides right off. Coconut oil doesn’t sting or irritate like store bought makeup removers, so this is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Make sure to wipe everything clean with a warm washcloth after so no coconut oil or makeup residue is left behind.

Coconut oil is the one-ingredient lip balm you never knew about. You can mix it with shea butter and essential oils or apply it by itself. 

It melts into your lips and delivers significant hydration to restore chapped lips. Coconut oil also prevents chapped lips from occurring in the first place.

Mix with brown sugar to gently exfoliate dead skin away if lips are really dry and flaking.

Another DIY recipe you can make with coconut oil is toothpaste and mouthwash. Both can be made with coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint essential oil. 

Coconut oil has proven dental health benefits and has also been shown to be just as effective as antiseptic mouthwash.

Just like coconut oil moisturizes your skin, it can also soothe your baby’s skin. You can use coconut oil like any other baby ointment or diaper rash cream.

Apply generously to the affected area, and it will help soothe redness, itchiness, and burning.

You can even apply coconut oil before these symptoms arise as a preventative measure.

When it comes to your baby, we know you want to go the safest and most natural route.

Many baby products on the market don’t meet that criteria, unfortunately.

Coconut oil can be used in place of store bought baby lotions because it’s highly moisturizing and soothing. It can also be used in place of baby oil.

Getting lice is the worst, but it’s a nearly inevitable part of childhood and motherhood.

The over-the-counter lice treatments are usually filled with harsh chemicals, so try this natural remedy instead.

First, soak your head with apple cider vinegar, and leave it to dry. Then, cover your head generously with coconut oil.

Put a shower cap on and leave the mask on for around 6-8 hours. Afterward, you need to comb through to remove the dead lice and their eggs. 

If you’re a nursing mom, you know how painful breastfeeding can be.

In place of using Lanolin cream or nipple cream, try coconut oil to alleviate the tenderness. It’s soothing, but the best part is that it’s all-natural.

Every mother dreads the day her children get the chicken pox or poison ivy. Your kids are going to want to itch, but that only makes it worse.

Apply coconut oil to the affected areas until the itching subsides. This will help both the itching sensation and the inflammation of skin.

After you’ve given birth, you may start looking for natural ways to increase your breast milk supply.

Coconut oil not only helps increase milk supply, it also increases the antimicrobial properties in breast milk.

Because coconut oil is high in lauric acid and capric acid, the milk supply offers greater protection to the baby from viruses and bacteria.

One of the best-kept secrets of coconut oil is that it’s a quick and easy hair detangler.

If you have kiddos with long hair, you know the struggle of brushing it out after bath time. Next time, try a dime-sized amount of coconut oil.

Rub it between your palms and then apply it at the ends of hair. Applying to the root can make hair look greasy, so just focus on the parts that are tangled.