The Ultimate List of Coconut Oil Uses for Your Health and Home

Coconut oil is just short of a miracle product.

Most of us already know it’s delicious when eaten, but coconut oil uses extend far beyond food and nutrition. A jar of this stuff can help you keep a clean home, have an all-natural beauty regimen, and more.

Here are some of the best ways to utilize the wonders of coconut oil in your home and life.

Skin Moisturizing and Natural Beauty Coconut Oil Uses

There are many benefits of coconut oil on the skin.

It’s great as a natural skin moisturizer for your face and body. Because it absorbs quickly, it’s not greasy and is easy to apply. Use it daily to hydrate dry skin, especially after showering or shaving.

It’s also commonly used as a natural remedy for wrinkles, cellulite, stretch marks, and other skin afflictions due to its skin-healthy fatty acids. Use it as a base for lotions and creams to soothe the skin without any chemicals, additive, or irritating ingredients.

Teens and adults with problematic skin may also find some relief in coconut oil as an acne fighter, as it can help kill off bacteria that can cause breakouts.

If you want to avoid toxins in common beauty brands, coconut oil makes a great base for natural homemade products like chapstick, deodorant, shaving “cream,”toothpaste, hair mask, teeth whitener, hair conditioner, cuticle cream, and more. (Essential oils make great natural scents for these products too.)

To whiten teeth, prevent bad breath, and kill bad bacteria in the mouth, use coconut oil for oil pulling daily.

Health and Nutrition Booster Uses

Coconut oil nutrition is unique and beneficial.

Although it contains a high amount of saturated fats, those fats are mostly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are shorter than other fats. MCTs provide your brain and body with quick energy and have also been shown to raise HDL “good” cholesterol levels [1].

(In addition, countries with the highest intake of coconut oil also have the lowest rates of heart disease [2].)

MCTs also help you burn fat for energy and are a good tool for weight loss, especially as part of a low-sugar low-carb diet.

Coconut oil is also used for medicinal purposes. It contains lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, which give it antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These make it an effective immune booster in the body that helps kill off some species of candida [3]. It also promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Using the oil regularly can also support the kidneys, liver, and whole body with its anti-inflammatory properties.

Cooking and Baking Coconut Oil Uses

Coconut oil is a great oil for cooking at high temperatures. It’s high in saturated fats and has a high smoke point, meaning it doesn’t oxidize under high heat like other oils.

You can use it for steaming, frying, stir-frying, cooking, baking, in salad dressings and sauces, and for just about any nutritional needs.

When using coconut oil for cooking and baking, it’s good to understand the different types:

• Virgin coconut oil: This is the purest option that has the most benefits. The only caveat is that it has a distinct coconut taste, so it’s not the best for those who don’t like coconut flavor. But many people enjoy the exotic flavor and scent.
• Extra virgin coconut oil: The only difference between virgin and extra virgin coconut oil is the name. It’s really only something marketing companies take advantage of, but they’re virtually the same product.
• Refined coconut oil: Refined is less-pure than virgin coconut oils, but it’s a good option for those who want to avoid the taste of coconut in their cooking or baking recipes.

Coconut oil is also great as a(n):

• Buttery spread for toast
• Melted topping for meats, veggies, and popcorn
• Boost of healthy fat in smoothies or protein shakes
• Substitute for coffee creamer (bulletproof coffee is the ultimate fat-burning breakfast) or in any hot drinks
• Healthy fat for homemade baked goods or energy bars
• Addition to granola, cereal, or oatmeal

Natural Cleaning and Household Solutions Uses

Besides being great for your skin and health, coconut oil has many uses for around the home too. The best include:

Base for Homemade Candles and Hand Soap

Look for recipes online that combine coconut oil with essential oils for natural scents and cleansers in your home. You can easily make homemade candles that make your place smell amazing without any harmful chemicals burning in the area.

The same goes for hand soap products, which your guests will love.

Cleaning Hard Surfaces and Appliances

You can apply coconut oil to counters or bottles with residue from stickers for easy removal.

Coconut oil can also be combined with lemon juice for use as a furniture polish, and rubbed on stainless steel appliances and cutting boards to clean and sanitize.

A little layer of coconut oil on Tupperware, utensils, measuring cups, kitchen sinks, and cake, muffin, and bread pans before use can prevent bigger messes or stains.

Gum, Stain, and Dust Remover

Gum stuck in the carpet? Try a bit of coconut oil on the area for about 30 minutes, and it should come right out.

Coconut oil can also remove:

• Crayon or ink marks from the walls or plastic surfaces
• Dried paint from linoleum
• Rust from cast iron pans
• Sticky stuff like syrup from measuring cups
• Tomato stains from plastic containers
• Dust from ceiling fans

Coconut oil is an impressive product that can benefit your life and home in many ways. Just make sure you buy a high-quality, trust brand. At Nature’s Ideal, we carry a variety of the top 100% natural coconut oil bottles and products for everyday use. Shop here to choose your favorites.

Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.