Last Updated on March 27, 2021 by Lori Geurin
Here are 81 uses for coconut oil to improve your hair, skin, and health.
You’ve likely heard that coconut oil is a superfood. And you’re probably aware of people using it on their skin and hair. But did you realize it has health benefits too?
Here are a few.
Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
- May boost your metabolism, causing your 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).
- The antifungal properties in coconut oil kill 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).
- Helps balance hormones naturally.
- The fatty acids in coconut oil can benefit memory in Alzheimer’s patients (4).
Now let’s explore many ways you can use coconut oil in your everyday life.
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81 Uses For Coconut Oil
I’ve tried many of these ideas, some of them daily. I’m oil-pulling now, as I type this. (Find out how to do oil pulling with coconut oil.)
I hope this list gives you 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 easily 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 coconut oil instead of butter, on toast, protein pancakes, or baked potatoes.
9. Add it to a smoothie for an energy-boosting meal or healthy snacks for home. You may want to try this delicious coconut smoothie.
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 a 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.
More Ways To Use Coconut Oil
16. As an all-natural diaper cream for your baby
17. Apply a small amount to the skin to soothe bug bites.
18. Wondering how to use coconut oil for weight loss? Taken daily it can speed up your weight loss efforts. 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 gives the body energy.
19. As a delicious coffee creamer – my favorite! When I’m not clean fasting, 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. My favorite way is using my Nutribullet to make coconut oil coffee.
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 a relaxing massage.
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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. Some people apply it to pimples. The oil has antibiotic properties that fight bacteria that can contribute to acne. Fair warning though, coconut oil is comedogenic (meaning it clogs pores) and makes some people break out so you might want to avoid using it on your face if you’re prone to acne breakouts.
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 (but don’t get burnt).
30. Check out this delicious recipe for Coconut Granola.
31. Applying a small amount daily can help soothe and heal eczema.
Even More Ways To Use Coconut Oil
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 apply a little coconut oil to soothe the skin.
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.
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How To Use Coconut Oil For Better Health
48. Apply to the feet to heal athlete’s foot.
Related: Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms And Foot Pain
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 breastfeeding mamas.
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.
Related: 10 Fast And Healthy Sheet Pan Meals To Simplify Your Dinner Time
62. Make homemade chocolate bars.
63. To help prevent and repair ingrown hairs
Coconut Oil Continued…
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 help regulate the thyroid.
81. Take internally to treat acid reflux or heartburn.
How To Do Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
Here’s I video tutorial I made on how to do oil pulling with coconut oil.
Does Coconut Oil Go Bad?
Coconut oil naturally has a long shelf life. That said, it will eventually go rancid. If you’re wondering how long coconut oil will last just read the use by date on the label and you should be fine.
Or, watch for these common signs that your coconut oil is expired:
- a yellowish color
- black spots which can mean it’s growing mold
- chunks
- a foul odor
- a sour taste
What Is Desiccated Coconut?
It’s simply fresh coconut that’s been flaked and dried out, usually unsweetened. You can even make your own desiccated coconut.
Summary – Uses For Coconut Oil
I hope you found this article helpful and have discovered many 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 coconut oils are these – Nutiva coconut oil and Carington Farms coconut oil.
What other ways do you use coconut oil?
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I use coconut oil for everything! Okay, maybe not everything, but close!! I have a jar for the kitchen and a jar for the bathroom!
🙂 Sounds good to me, Nicole!
I love coconut oil. I use it to cook with, to moisturize extreme dry patches on my skin, soothe bug bites, remove makeup, treat my cuticles, and in my DIY deodorant. Can’t wait to give some of these other methods a try.
So good to hear, Cindy – I love all these great ideas!
So many uses for such a healthy product! I had no idea it could diminish dark under eye circles.
I love this benefit, Kelly!
There is just so much you can do with this oil! It’s amazing that it goes far beyond the traditional cooking options.
So true, Heather. It’s quite versatile.
Great list and this was such an informative post. Learned some new stuff and interesting ones as well.
Awesome – Hopefully it was helpful, Angela!
Great list. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer every day. I have really dry skin and it’s a miracle worker for me, especially in the winter. Your list definitely opened up my mind to some other uses. Thanks for sharing.
thrifting diva
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Hey, thanks! I love hearing about how it’s helped so many people. It is a “miracle worker!”
Wow I am so impressed. It is amazing that you have thought of 81 uses for coconut oil. It is really good for nourishing my hair x
Thanks, Ana – Love it as a hair mask!
Coconut oil is a staple at our house. We love to cook with it. I love your tip of putting it on pop corn. We went to a get together with friends and someone had brought that same thing and it was so amazing!!!
http://www.therookiewife.com
This is wonderful, Hannah!
Love love love coconut oil! We are big on oil pulling in our house. I also love the taste of coconut oil in my homemade biscuits (instead of regular oil). We used it a lot for diaper rash for my kids when they were in diapers as well…so many uses!
I so wish I would have known about it when our kids were babies because I would have done this too. So glad you mentioned it on biscuits…It’s’ heavenly on pancakes too!
I could still remember making coconut oil from real coconuts. And we used to put it on our hair and the result was really brilliant. Now, other’s would say I have nice hair.
Wow, this is amazing – I’d love to know how to make the oil from coconuts! Thanks for sharing this!
It is a miracle for creating soft, shiny hair.
My family thinks I am nuts because I ask them all the time “did you try coconut oil”. Such a great list!
Ha, I love it, Reesa!
This is such a great list! Coconut oil is one of those essentials to always have on hand! I even learned some new uses!
Hey, thanks, Brittany!
I did not know about a lot of these. There are so many uses, wow!
I know, right?! Thanks, Sarah.
Wow I never use coconut oil had so many uses. I usually use it in blends with my essential oils.
Love it with essential oils! Thanks, Melissa.
We’ve used coconut oil for cooking, and it’s pretty good. I had no idea it was so versatile.
Yeah, it’s pretty great stuff. 🙂
I am pinning this post for a reference! I LOVE coconut oil for my hair, skin, and to cook with!
Awesome, Christie – Thanks!
It is hard to believe that there are so many uses for something that tastes so delicious. I love it on my popcorn.
Agreed – Coconut oil popcorn is the best!
I’ve used coconut oil a few different ways but most recently I’ve started oil pulling of a morning. It’s too early to say just yet exactly how effective it’s been but I’ve been enjoying the process
Hey, good for you! That’s great, Cassie. 🙂
Coconut oil has so many uses and benefits! It’s definitely something that you’d love to have in your pantry. Thanks for the list of its uses, some of these I’m not even aware of.
So true – Thanks, Karen!
I didn’t know there were so many uses for coconut oil! This list is really helpful and informative. Thank you!
Oh, good…I’m so glad – Thanks, and you’re welcome! 😉
It’s amazing what you can use coconut oil for!! I’ve used in my sons cradle cap and eczema. I’ve always used in my hair and my skin too! Smells amazing!
Thanks for mentioning this, Kristina…I need to add it to the list! I love the smell too.
This is great. I made a list of uses for coconut oil earlier in the year. But this has ones I didn’t know about. Like, I never thought of how it can be used to help a stuck zipper. Too cool!
I’ll have to check out your list, Erica – Thanks!
coconut oil literally has all the uses in the world. I have a big jar in my kitchen to cook with and another one in my bathroom to use from removing any makeup I might use, to exfoliate with baking soda, as a moisturizer and so MUCH more. I also put it on my hair once a week.
So true, Andrea – Thanks for sharing these great uses for coconut oil!
I became obsessed with coconut oil after I found out it worked for my skin problem, but I didn’t realize there were this many uses! Guess I can start buying it in bulk now. 🙂
Oh, that’s awesome, Beth! Yes, buying in bulk is highly recommended where coconut oil is concerned. 😉
My daughter actually has a coconut allergy, so we can’t have it around. However, my best friend swears by it, and uses it for so many of these things!
I’m so sorry about your daughter’s allergy. Thanks for sharing about your friend, Joanna.
We use coconut oil for so much. I recently began oil pulling, and it is amazing in my daughter’s hair! I also love cooking popcorn in it.
Yay for oil pulling! And isn’t it the best in popcorn?
Wow, this is amazing. I had no idea there were so many uses for coconut oil. I need to get some 🙂
Thanks, Robin!