Coconut Oil: 5 Ways to Use it in Your Beauty Routine & Health

Touted as a new “superfood,” coconut oil has so many uses that it’s difficult to know where to begin. We want to use as minimal chemicals as possible for skincare. Coconut oil is moisturizing and has antibacterial properties as well. This article has five cool ways to use coconut oil in your health and beauty routine.

1. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer.

It works as a moisturizer because of its composition (saturated fats), but it also has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that help keep your skin healthy. It works to hydrate without leaving your skin feeling all greasy. It’s also a great skin barrier—sealing in moisture.

The best way to use coconut oil as a moisturizer is to apply it to dry skin before bed. This ensures that your skin is well-hydrated when you wake up. You can also use it after a shower to lock moisture in and nourish your skin. Coconut oil makes a great winter moisturizer for dry skin, and it also can be used in the summer after lying in the sun. You can also use coconut oil in homemade lotions.

A basic lotion recipe calls for equal parts coconut oil and Shea butter. If you have normal skin, you can also add vitamin E oil to your mixture to help lock in moisture and nourish your skin. Mix 1 cup coconut oil, melted 1 cup shea butter, melted (or other butter) 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional). You can also add 3-6 drops of your favorite essential oil.

2. Coconut oil can be used as a hair conditioner.

If you have dry, brittle hair that breaks easily, coconut oil can be used as a hair conditioner. If you massage coconut oil into your hair, you will moisturize it and strengthen it.

The fats in coconut oil help condition hair and slow down the damage from styling. You can also use coconut oil to help repair split ends and tame flyaways. It can also be used as a leave-in conditioner. First, wash your hair with shampoo, then apply some coconut oil to the wet hair. Because it’s such a rich oil, use a dime-sized amount.

You can also make your own coconut oil hair conditioner. Mix equal parts coconut oil and honey and apply to your hair. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for added fragrance. This is a great homemade option for those with sensitive skin and can be used as a leave-in conditioner.

3. Coconut oil can be used as a lip balm.

If you live in colder climates, you know that your lips can easily get dried and cracked. This is also true for people who are in the sun a lot. You can whip coconut oil with a few drops of your favorite essential oils and put it in a small airtight container (ideally, small enough to fit in your handbag). Then you have your homemade lip balm to help moisturize, heal, and seal dry, cracked winter lips.

4. Coconut oil can remove makeup.

Coconut oil can remove makeup. Coconut oil is a natural oil, so it will remove makeup without irritating your skin. It also works to remove waterproof makeup, like those hard-to-remove mascaras.

Use a cotton round, and scoop up a small amount of coconut oil to remove eye makeup. You get the bonus of moisturizing the delicate eye area as well. Plus, coconut oil has antioxidants that can help to nourish the skin around the eye.

5. Coconut oil can be used as a toothpaste.

Foaming agents are found in many kinds of toothpaste. Lauryl sulfate, sodium Laureth sulfate, and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (quite a mouthful) can alter your taste buds. As a result, after brushing your teeth, you may perceive food as bitter. However, when you brush with coconut oil, you won’t get that bitter taste from food after.

Cavity-causing bacteria are naturally destroyed by coconut oil. So whether you use coconut oil toothpaste or coconut oil pulling, the ingredient itself makes a difference.

Coconut oil’s enzymes bind to bacteria on your teeth and remove them. So if you swish the oil in your mouth, you can effectively get rid of a lot of harmful bacteria.

There must be some cost associated with coconut oil toothpaste since it is a trendy product? No need to buy coconut oil toothpaste with fancy labels and eco-claims. Making it yourself is much cheaper.

Coconut Oil Toothpaste Recipe

Making toothpaste at home couldn’t be easier!

Ingredients

• Baking soda, one teaspoon
• Finely ground sea salt, half a teaspoon
• Peppermint essential oil, one drop
• Coconut oil, five drops
• Water in three drops

Directions

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients. You want the paste to be fairly rigid and thick. Using your toothbrush, scoop up the mixture from the bowl using the dipping method. Brush your teeth as you normally would.

Conclusion:

Coconut oil may have several potential benefits for the skin and teeth. It is moisturizing, conditioning, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral. In addition, coconut oil aids in healing dry, cracked skin and seals in moisture.

Coconut oil can be applied directly to the skin. However, it is important to note that coconut oil is not suitable for treating medical conditions. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a physician before using coconut oil as a home remedy.