Last Updated on January 2, 2021 by Lori Geurin

You’ve likely heard that coconut oil is a superfood. And you may even know that people use it on their skin and hair. But did you know that it’s used to improve your health? Below are 81 uses for coconut oil, but first some impressive benefits.

Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil

Coconut has some amazing health benefits, including:

• Speeding up the metabolism, causing the body to burn as much as 120 calories extra within a 24-hour period (1)
• The Lauric acid in coconut oil kills fungi, bacteria, and viruses, preventing illness (2).
• Killing candida
• Many Polynesian people have consumed coconut oil in large quantities for many years. They are among the healthiest people in the world.
• Studies have shown that it can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL) (3).
• Balancing hormones
• The fatty acids in coconut oil can benefit memory in Alzheimer’s patients (4).

RELIEVE STRESS
Want our FREE Stress Management Course? Lower your stress + improve your health with the FREE 7-day email course.

Now let’s explore many ways you can use coconut oil in your everyday life.

This post contains affiliate links. And you can read our Affiliate Policy here.

81 Uses For Coconut Oil

I’ve tried many of these ideas and use some of them daily. I’m oil pulling now, as I type this. I hope this list will give you some ideas for ways to incorporate coconut oil into your life too!

1. Use it as a skin cream. It’s a great moisturizer and is readily absorbed in the skin. It only takes a small amount and can even reduce wrinkles!
2. As a makeup remover
3. To fade age spots when rubbed into the skin regularly
4. As a low SPF sunscreen. It makes the skin glowy!
5. Apply to the ends of hair after styling to tame flyaways and provide moisture and shine.
6. Applied to the lips it makes a moisturizing chapstick. Here’s a great recipe for a DIY tinted lip balm.
7. Take it daily to improve insulin levels
8. Use instead of butter, on toast, pancakes, or baked potatoes.
9. Add it to a smoothie for an energy-boosting meal or healthy snack. You may want to try My Favorite Peanut Butter Protein Shake.
10. As a personal lubricant.
11. Rub a tiny amount under eyes to help diminish dark circles.
12. As lice prevention. If you hear of an outbreak at your child’s school put a little of the oil on a comb and gently comb through your child’s hair.
13. Melt some to put over popcorn. Add Himalayan pink salt or coarse sea salt and enjoy! This is another favorite at our house.
14. Take internally to improve neurological health and help prevent migraines.
15. Apply to a jammed zipper to lubricate it and help get it unstuck.
16. As an all-natural diaper cream for your sweet baby.
17. Apply a small amount to the skin to soothe bug bites.
18. Taken daily it can speed up weight loss. Coconut oil is primarily made of medium-chain fatty acids. Because of this, it metabolizes differently than many saturated fats. It goes straight to the liver and provides the body with amazing energy.
19. As a delicious coffee creamer – my favorite! I put about a tablespoon in my morning java. You might like to try this healthy coffee drink to get your mornings off to an energetic start.
20. Gargle to relieve a sore throat.
21. In homemade salad dressing
22. To saute vegetables
23. As an all-natural bug spray
24. A natural massage oil – Add a cup of liquid coconut oil to a large ziplock bag. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Mix it up and enjoy it.
25. Use it to deep-condition your hair. Apply to the most damaged parts of your hair, usually the ends, and leave it on for several minutes before rinsing.
26. Apply to pimples. The oil has antibiotic properties that fight bacteria that can contribute to acne.
27. Exfoliator – Combine about a half cup of coconut oil with 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar. Apply to the face or anywhere the skin needs exfoliating.
28. Apply a small amount to help heal cuts.
29. Use as a tanning oil.
30. Check out this delicious recipe for Coconut Granola.
31. Applying a small amount daily can help soothe and heal eczema.
32. Use as an all-natural deodorant
33. Use to remove ear wax.
34. As a teeth whitener, via oil pulling. In my experience, it works better than Whitestrips or trays and is much more affordable. Make sure not to swallow the oil and don’t spit it down your sink because it could clog up the plumbing! Spitting in the trash works.
35. To soothe a sunburn
36. Use to moisturize feet overnight. Apply to feet and put on a pair of thick, cozy socks. Wake up to super soft skin. Hello!
37. As a natural baby lotion
38. Massaged into the scalp to help heal dandruff
39. As a healing bath – Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coconut oil and 1/4 cup of  Epsom salts to the bath.
40. Add your favorite essential oils. This provides moisture to the skin and is a good detox.
41. DIY homemade toothpaste.
42. As an energy booster after a sleepless night
43. Feed it to your dog to help heal dry, itchy skin.
44. DIY aromatherapy – Mix a small amount with a few drops of calming essential oils. Apply behind the ears and to the back of the neck.
45. To fight cellulite – Try this DIY Grapefruit Cellulite Cream
46. Use as a wood polish to keep your wood furniture looking beautiful.
47. As a cure for cold sores. Apply it to the sore several times a day.
48. Apply to the feet to heal athlete’s foot.
49. Soothe and heal a chapped nose and lips when you have a cold.
50. Use for shaving cream. Warm it up in your hands and apply.
51. Using coconut oil in recipes can be a great substitute for butter in recipes, such as these super yummy (gluten-free) Best Ever Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Bars. Kid tested, mother approved.
52. Use as a highlighter by applying to the cheekbones and eyelids.
53. Apply to skin to heal stretch marks
54. Use as a nipple cream for nursing mothers
55. To season cast iron skillets
56. To soothe rashes
57. Vapor rub – mix coconut oil with a couple of drops of peppermint or spearmint essential oils. Apply to the chest.
58. Dog treats – Mix some coconut oil and peanut butter. Freeze small servings in an ice-cube tray and give it to your pup outside. (Inside might be a bit too messy.)
59. As leather polish – Apply a small amount to shoes and handbags.
60. To end bad breath swish in your mouth, then spit it out in the trash can.
61. Use to grease baking pans, instead of pan spray.
62. Make homemade chocolate bars.
63. To help prevent and repair ingrown hairs
64. Apply to the skin to soothe poison ivy.
65. To soothe cracked pads on your puppy’s paws
66. Apply as a metal polish with a soft rag.
67. Make homemade hand soap.
68. Makeup brush cleaner – Apply a small amount to brushes. Massage them gently under warm water. Rinse and lay on a towel to dry.
69. Apply to relieve painful hemorrhoids. ‘Nuff said.
70. Mix nuts with some coconut oil to make creamy nut butter.
71. Use to clean a retainer. Apply to the retainer with a soft cloth, then rinse.
72. To clean up ink messes.
73. For detailing your car, including leather seats and the dashboard as well as the exterior.
74. Apply to the body to reduce friction and chafing.
75. To remove gum stuck in the carpet
76. Taken internally it may improve your circulation.
77. Aftershave – massage a small amount into the skin to reduce redness and irritation.
78. As a makeup primer.
79. As a rust remover – Apply to the rusty area, wait 1 or 2 hours, then gently rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
80. Include coconut oil in your daily diet to regulate the thyroid.
81. Take internally to treat acid reflux or heartburn.

Want more great health and wellness tips, recipes, and personal growth strategies? Be sure to follow us on Pinterest!

Summary – Uses For Coconut Oil

I hope you found this article helpful and have discovered new uses for coconut oil. As you can see, coconut oil is useful for a variety of purposes including skin and hair, recipes, dog treats and much more.

My family’s favorite extra virgin coconut oil is Carington Farms Unrefined, Cold-Pressed, Organic, Coconut Oil.

---

How do you use coconut oil in your everyday life? What uses for coconut oil can you add to this list?

Please share below in the comment section. I love hearing from you! X, Lori

---

Here are a couple more coconut recipes you might like to try:

• Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls: Protein-Rich And Delicious!
• My Favorite Protein Oatmeal With Coconut And Almonds

I’m including this YouTube video, by Dr. Mercola if you’d like to learn more about coconut oil. He does a good job dispelling some of the myths associated with coconut oil.

Connect With Me Below:

Pinterest — /LoriGeurin
Facebook — /LoriGeurinBlog
Twitter — @LoriGeurin
Instagram — @lorigeurin
Bloglovin — lorigeurin
Email — wellnessforlife@lorigeurin.com