101 Uses for Coconut Oil

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101 Uses for Coconut Oil Wellness Mama 101 Uses for Coconut Oil

I’ve said before that I am with coconut oil like the dad in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” is with windex… I use it for everything. Right now, I have a five gallon bucket of it sitting next to my desk because we use so much and I don’t have anywhere else to keep it…

I love this organic virgin and fair-trade coconut oil from Thrive Market (which is like Costco online but for healthy products). Their coconut oil is 40% off retail. (And Thrive Market sells many other of my favorite products at 30-50% off normal prices!)

Today, I’m sharing my top 101 (yes 101!!) uses for coconut oil:
Uses for Coconut Oil

    In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
    Added to foods or drinks daily for energy
    As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee (The only way I’ll drink coffee)
    On the skin as a basic lotion (or coconut oil lotion bar)
    In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
    In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
    As an eye-makeup remover
    As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
    In making your own Remineralizing Toothpaste
    To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
    To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
    To support healthy thyroid function
    In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
    To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
    As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
    In homemade lotion recipes
    To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
    Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
    As a delicious tropical massage oil
    It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
    A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
    In homemade soap for laundry
    Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
    Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
    Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
    Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
    As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
 

5 Amazing Ways to Use Oil in Your Beauty Routine

Sometimes the best beauty treatments are the simplest—a  one-ingredient facial or DIY toner can be surprisingly effective.

 That’s why one of our favorite beauty treatments is oil. Before there were expensive creams and over-the-top serums, people were using natural plant oils to keep their skin silky smooth and moisturized. Ready up on a few of our favorite beauty hacks using oils.

1. Face Rejuvenator

It seems counterproductive, but fighting oil with oil can be effective. Use a dollop of grapeseed or jojoba oil, and massage it into your skin. Wipe off oil with a hot, wet washcloth. Your skin will feel clean, refreshed, and soft.

2. Skin Softener

Use a teaspoon of coconut oil as a natural alternative to moisturizer. It’s gentle enough that it won’t cause breakouts, but it will still leave your skin soft and supple.

3. Body Scrub

Mix together almond oil and sea salt for a gentle scrub, or try this version with epsom salts. Make sure the consistency is gentle enough that the salts won’t hurt your skin. Slather this mixture all over your body in the shower. You can also use this DIY scrub to exfoliate your lips!

4. Hair Revitalizer

Plop some coconut or olive oil into your hair, and let it absorb for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse it out with some shampoo. This treatment will leave your hair tangle-free and extra shiny.

5. Nail Strengthener

Heat up a small amount of olive oil in a saucepan, and pour the hot olive oil into a dish. Let it cool down until the olive oil is warm, but not scorching. Dip your nails into the oil and let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes.

The olive oil strengthens your nails and gives them a brilliant luster.  Consider doing this every time you remove nail polish—both nail polish and acetone polish remover can leave your nails dry and depleted of nutrients.

Written by Gina Vaynshteyn, this post was originally found on ThriveMarket