If you follow Jadah and I on Family Sponge, you know we love coconut oil. This superfood is used in every room of our houses— baking, moisturizer, deodorant, green smoothie ingredient, conditioner, you name it. It’s a go-to remedy— and I am obsessed with it.
So what makes this oil so special? Well, 90 percent of coconut oil is composed of medium chain fatty acids (or Triglyerides), which are easily digested and sent right to the liver for energy production. By traveling directly to the liver, it is not stored as fat and actually can help boost your metabolism. These triglycerides also help keep skin smooth and moisturized by trapping the escaping moisture from pores.
Most of the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil are lauric acid, which is only found in as high a concentrate in human breastmilk. This powerful acid actually helps increase immunity and fight infections, which makes it essential to our daily diets.
I saved my favorite things about coconut oil for last: it’s antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial. These properties make it ideal for a facial moisturizer, deodorant and for soothing sunburns. And I can’t forget to mention that it smells incredible as well!
My Personal Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil
There are many websites than can give you a list of uses for coconut oil, but I want this list to all be about my personal testimony. I religiously use all of these things and can personally say they work for me, and hopefully for you!
Baking + cooking with coconut oil
Baking: Coconut oil can be substituted 1-for-1 in most baking recipes that call for butter or oil (check out my Maple Granola Muffins and Coconut Granola for some delicious and healthy recipes). I’ve also used it when making frosting, banana bread, pancakes and amish bread.
Cooking: My friend Jo got me hooked on cooking eggs in coconut oil. They do taste a little bit like coconut, but that’s a good thing to me. I also add a tablespoon to my green smoothies occasionally and sauté vegetables with it.
Using coconut oil on your body
Coconut oil has about 0.1 mg of vitamin E in 100 grams, which definitely gives it skin nourishing properties. Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin growth, repairs weathered skin, keeps skin smooth and protects against cracking and above all, it prevents ageing and wrinkling of skin, as it has good anti-oxidant properties.
Body lotion: After the shower, I rub coconut oil on my arms and legs— leaving my skin hydrated all day long.
Homemade deodorant: It really works!!! This stuff is insanely good— I highly recommend that you make your own. After 12 hour days with working out, running errands and sweating in the Florida heat, I still smell good. Here is the easy, peasy recipe.
Eczema: My son had mild eczema and we used a variety of creams. Coconut oil helped if we caught an outbreak early enough. (We eventually figured out what was causing his eczema— Target brand laundry detergent, and stopped using it. Eczema solved!)
Nose bleeds: Coat your nasal passages with coconut oil to keep nose bleeds at bay. This works great when traveling to dry climates.
Soothes sunburns: We have used this numerous times on our skin after a long day at the beach or pool. It moisturizes and alleviates the uncomfortableness of a mild sunburn.
Using coconut oil on the face
Facial moisturizer: I was very scared to put coconut oil on my face. Since moving to Florida I have had issues with acne. So bad, I resorted to Proactive. Well, two months ago I ran out of my oil-free face lotion and decided to give coconut oil a try. Sure enough, my face feels good and the acne has subdued. Just make sure you are using high-quality coconut oil for your face— I use organic virgin unrefined coldpressed. I’ve seen websites recommend refined coconut oil for your face but that clogged my pores and I instantly broke out. And remember, a little goes a long way with coconut oil!
Eye makeup remover: On the rare occasion I actually put on makeup, I do use a cotton ball and a little coconut oil to remove it. Works better than anything else, hands down.
Coconut oil on your hair
Hair tamer: I have thick, curly and wild hair— coconut oil helps bring sanity to the situation. After the shower, I use mousse and then smooth some coconut oil on my unruly curls to calm it down.
Deep conditioner for hair: At least once a month, I slather this on the tips of my hair and (even my scalp to help with psoriasis) and let it soak in for a few hours. Then I brush it through and massage my scalp before I shower. I shampoo it twice through with Yes To, my favorite brand of shampoo and conditioner that is paraben free.
Lice treatment: You don’t need harsh chemicals to treat lice, seriously. All you need is coconut oil because it can suffocate the lice. When a good friend of ours called us and told us that her child had lice (after our kids had been playing dress up all day with them— complete with sharing hats), we slathered coconut oil on our two kids heads. They slept on it and we washed it out the next day and they were lice free. Sounds like Thrifty Mama has a great alternative to commercial lice products.
Other awesome uses I have for coconut oil
Toothpaste: I started making my own toothpaste with coconut oil 3 months ago and really like it. The coconut oil gives it a creamy consistency, which is similar to store bought (yet way better for you!). The first few weeks my teeth were a little sensitive (which is an issue I have). SO I alternated days with Sensodyne and the homemade recipe. Yet now I only use homemade and my teeth are fine.
Furniture wood polish: I use it to polish my wood coffee table and it looks beautiful! Just pour a little onto a rag and rub it around for a nice gloss.
Stops creaking doors: I cannot stand a door that creaks, especially when it’s my kids door. It’s hard to sneak out of the room after they fall asleep when the door creaks, right? I’ve rubbed a little coconut oil on the door hinge and have the quietest door now.
Massage oil: It’s very good. That’s all I’m gonna say.
Where to buy coconut oil
You can buy coconut oil practically everywhere now, but don’t. Walmart is not the place to buy this superfood. You want to use a brand that has high standards, uses organic products and makes quality coconut oil. If you plan on using it like I do (and I am sure you will!) then buy the good stuff for a little more money.
1. Trader Joes: What’s not to love about Trader Joe’s, right? If you are lucky enough to live close to one, pick up a jar of organic virgin coconut oil for $6.99.
2. Amazon: They have variety of coconut oil brands and sizes — my favorite brand on there is Nutiva.
3. Mountain Rose Herbs: I love this company out of Portland, Oregon. They sell a variety of coconut oils, but the best is the virgin unrefined / coldpressed. Hands down the best quality at a pretty fair price. I have ordered 3 gallons from the so far and love it. I also buy my essential oils, beeswax, arrowroot powder and herbal extracts from here— you can trust them and know you are getting the good stuff.
4. Costco: They have great prices for unrefined, cold pressed coconut oil! Definitely check it out if you have one in your area.
Do you already use coconut oil? Plan on trying out any that I’ve mentioned above? Got a question? Post it in the comments below.
Hey. I am interested in the deodorant but does it stain the shirts due to the oil? Thanks
Great question Tracey. I use it daily (and have for about a year) and it hasn’t stained my clothes. You only use a small pea-sized amount and rub it in so there really isn’t any residue. There was one time when my husband put a lot on because he was gonna play basketball. When he got back he had oil stains on his shirt and we were like…what?! But it did wash out easily, which was nice. We learned after that to just use a little and it works really well.
I use coconut oil on everything too! I have a jar in every bathroom and in my kitchen. It’s the best stuff!
I love Coconut oil…I use it in my hair as an oil and I mix it with EVOO and water for a moisturizing spritz…I also use it on my skin…I got a big jar of it from walmart for just five plus dollars…I love it.
I discovered coconut oil about nine months ago and love finding new uses. My bet find was a liquid coconut oil that stays liquid. I use it for eye makeup remove, to cook with, in my smoothies — no more tiny frozen oil pellets! Thanks for even more ideas I have to try!
Jan, what brand is this coconut oil that you are referring to?
Recently discovered another use for coconut oil.
I have been applying it to my nose to soothe the irritation and sensitivity as a result of having a runny nose and blowing nose often. Instant relief!
I’ve done that too Sandy! When I travel to California, my skin gets so dry that I have to pile on the coconut oil, including my nose.
thanks for the tips and telling us not to buy at walmart..i almost did the other day!
I have had a peanut sensitivity since pregnancy with first child so had to eliminate peanut products from my diet. I was missing peanut butter fudge a neighbor would give during the holidays. I found a recipe online that uses almond butter and coconut oil.
http://360yourlife.com/featured/almond-butter-fudge/
Really yummy.
Now one of my favorite uses for coconut oil!
I just checked the link— that looks so yummy!!!! Thanks for sharing Sandy.
I am from the Caribbean and coconut oil is used religiously for everything. I have always used coconut oil on my skin, my 18 month old son and as well as my husbands. We try to follow our tradition, being that our ancestors used this products and it being so amazing. I also condition my hair with coconut oil every week. My son also has eczema and I was also researched that coconut oil is great with his skin. I however never added coconut oil to my smoothie but I will definitely try this in my next smoothie. I get pure coconut oil imported from my country ever so often when someone comes from the island. Pure coconut oil does have a very distinguished smell but I love it!
It does have a distinguished smell Naz— and I love it too.
This is so awesome. I love coconut oil… Now I have more uses for it. Tea tree is also a great oil for skin and hair
Awesome post on one of my favorite superfoods – and I thought I was taking advantage of all its possible uses. I cook with it almost exclusively, use it liberally in smoothies and elixirs, make snacks and treats with it, and use a combination of 3 parts coconut oil to 1 part cacao butter for my hair and as an aftershave and body lotion.
Definitely going to try your deodorant and toothpaste recipes (I have used it for teeth when oil pulling) and as a wood furniture polisher.
I purchase mine by the gallon at Mountain Rose Herbs – best combo of quality and price I know of.
Cheers!
Hi Ryan. Thanks for stopping by! You definitely have to try the deodorant— it’s my favorite! I am still in awe at how well it works. You mentioned that you did oil pulling— what did you think about it? I would love some personal feedback about it, if you don’t mind. I haven’t ventured into it but it’s been on my mind every now and then. And Mountain Rose Herbs is amazing.
Hey Jen. Once I get grapefruit essential oil, it’s deodorant making time. I experimented with oil pulling first thing in the morning (for about 10 minutes) roughly a year ago. After about two months my morning routine changed and I stopped. Honestly, I didn’t notice any real changes to my teeth. Although I didn’t have any underlying issues to address.
I’ve come across many proponents of oil pulling, this being the most recent:
“Irish researchers have reported from the Athlone Institute of Technology that coconut oil was the only oil of 3 tested (olive oil and vegetable oil being the other two) that was able to prevent Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a common inhabitant of the mouth and a major cause of tooth decay, from binding to and damaging tooth enamel.”
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/coconut-oil-stops-strep-bacteria-from-damaging-tooth-enamel/
I think it’s time for me to integrate it back into my morning routine…
I have been in need of a solution/product for dry, ashy elbows, knees and feet. Wow pure coconut oil works right away after application better than any lotion/body cream/skin treatment. Think I will apply at night before sleep because I don’t really want to smell like coconut oil plus thinking the scent might entice mosquitoes to bite me if I wore it out.
Night time is a great plan. You can even add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to help relax you (and it also helps with itchiness).
Added a teaspoon to my smoothie this morning. Wondering if it can be added to every smoothie or only certain recipes? I added it to a green smoothie that had kale, coconut water, frozen red and black grapes, bananas, frozen pineapple, frozen strawberries and thawed frozen strawberries. Not sure how it will taste with my favorite almond and jelly smoothie…
You can definitely add it to any smoothie recipe— yet it will slightly change the taste. I try to get coconut oil in me daily— sometimes via a smoothie, other times in my fried eggs or coconut granola.
Is there a “right” time to add the coconut oil to smoothies? I have tried in the beginning when first blending greens with coconut water but noticed the coconut oil hardens and ends up stuck on the VitaMix stick thing.
I have tried towards the end, but notice bits of oil throughout smoothie and on the glass.
Any tips?
Thanks.
Hi Sandy— I have had the same experience (coconut oil hardens around 76 degrees.) I still make some smoothies with coconut oil because I know the health benefits are amazing, but it’s harder for my kids to drink them because they aren’t digging all the white floaties. If you don’t mind a room temperature smoothie, you could always blend it that way— defrost all the fruits and veggies, use luke warm water and I’m sure the coconut oil would dissolve into an oil again. Lately I have been using more flaxseed oil as a smoothie booster rather than coconut oil so I don’t have to worry about the white floaties. I’ll ask Jadah if she had any luck or advice and have her post a reply as well.
I held off on getting coconut oil for a few months but finally bought some now that it is available at my local Costco. This list really helps with ideas/plans to use it aside from my original purpose of adding it to my green smoothies. Thanks for sharing your wealth of information. Good to know you have tested these uses.