I keep discovering more and more ‘beauty’ uses for coconut oil!
I now use coconut oil for the following:
- Nighttime eye moisturizer
So luxurious and way cheaper than pricey eye creams on the market.
- Shave Oil
An all natural way to replace that mystery gel/foam lurking in your shower- makes my legs really soft!
- Body moisturizer
I’ve been doing this for a few months now and I will never go back to regular moisturizing lotion again.
- Knee Sleeve barrier
My knee sleeves have been irritating the skin beneath it (red, itchy bumps) so I have been putting a bit of coconut oil on my knees before putting them on to reduce inflammation. I am not sure yet if it works, but I will report back after a week or so.
- Frizz Tamer
A reader told me that they use a tiny bit of coconut oil to tame their flyaways, and I must say it works fabulous. Remember- less is more with coconut oil, so you only need the tiniest bit!
- Intense Foot Cream
I put some on last night and then put some socks on and when I took them off my feet were super smooth and no more dryness!
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Today’s question:
How do you use coconut oil? Share your secrets below! I’m sure there are hundreds more uses for it.
See you tonight for a special fitness post!
Thanks for that! I’ve been wanting to try coconut oil out of the kitchen and now I know how :) I wish it wasn’t so expensive though!
I’m officially intrigued – do you have any recommendations for where to buy coconut oil? Can I get it at Whole Foods (or something like that) or is it better to order it online?
I eat it! In addition, I really like the way it feels on my lips as a lip treatment. But it is great for using instead of butter; so rich.
I find coconut oil in the organic section of Loblaws/Superstore. You can also get it at Whole Foods or online!
Is there a certain “brand” of coconut oil you use from Whole Foods?
I don’t buy it at WF but the brand I am currently using is called Tropical Traditions that I got online
Angela,
I have been using coconut oil as a moisturizer for a couple of months now. I love it! I slather it on after my shower, I use it as a facial moisturizer at night- but, you’re right, a little goes a long way!
I’ve also used it on my hair as a deep conditioner before shampooing!
The perfect product!
I run a spa in a natural medicine clinic, and several of my massage therapists use it as massage oil !! soo yum!
My hubby and I use it for all the uses people mentioned above, especially in winter when my hands get all cracked. Eeek. I know, not a nice feeling.
My question is, it takes a while for the oil to dry since it doesn’t absorb as readily as a commercial moisturizers. Any tips on how to help it absorb since everything my hubby and I touch after moisturizing gets a little oil mark? Other than designating a pair of mittens to put on afterwards, I’m not sure what to do.
I also love coconut oil- for cooking and beauty!
In addition to using it as a moisturizer, I recently came up with this recipe for insect repellent!:
1/4 c coconut oil
6 drops peppermint essential oil
6 drops clove essential oil
Blend together in a little container and slather it all over you!
I recently used this during a buggy weekend at my friends cottage and it worked great! I came back with 2 bites or so, and my other friends (who had been using “Off” bug repellent all weekend) were covered!
Hi, this post makes me giggle a little. For as long as I can remember my mom used to put cocunut oil in my hair at night. And I would wash it out in the morning. I hated this for two reasons, it took too long to wash out and I had to sleep with a plastic bag on my pillow. I could even smell it long after the shower. But it does produce soft, silky hair :)
Hey,
I just found coconut oil at Wal-Mart!!! In the baking section. They have Spectrum and I think a lesser brand. Price wasn’t bad, either. (I think $6 + change?)
I use coconut oil as a moisturizer on my face sometimes but shaving cream ALWAYS!!!! I bought some Alba coconut lime shaving cream once and looking at the ingredients it was really vitamin E oil and coconut oil with a few other things, so I thought perfect. Plus it smells soo good.
i use it everywhere, all those ways and more. coat your hair with it and sleep overnight for an intense hair mask. i wet my face, put it on, and then wipe with a warm rag to remove makeup. i put it over cuts and burns to speed healing. and of course, in cooking. you can use it to make a natural “chocolate shell” for your ice cream, just like those crazy chemical-laden “chocolate products.” the stuff is a total lifesaver for me. i slather my entire body with it daily.
oh angela, i have a question that’s unrelated to this post. when you were on your honeymoon, what types of shoes did you bring? i’m going to be in italy for 3 months and need to pack light, but i want shoes that are comfortable, cute and versatile.
Amazing suggestions! I can’t wait to use it as an eye makeup remover!
RE: Oil marks…I’m really not sure how to prevent this one as I haven’t figured it out myself. It does take a long time to absorb…thats why I try to put it on at night before bed. If anyone has any ideas Id love to hear them!
Ellen- I wore Nike Free sneakers! They are super light weight and comfortable. Some people need more support but I loved them…stylish and not ‘clunky’ like some sneakers can be.
Nutiva is basically the gold standard of coconut oil. It’s not all the same. For max benefits, make sure it is raw, organic, extra virgin, and unrefined. You can order off of nutiva’s website. If your local whole foods doesn’t carry it, they will special order it for you. I love using it as a moisturizer. Blemish cream used to burn my skin and make my skin red and flaky. Coconut oil keeps the natural balance of skin moisture and helps heal blemishes. It’s really amazing stuff :)
I know lots of people who swear that coconut oil is a good sun repellent. Now if you love a good SPF 50 or something, not sure how well you’re gonna do with coconut oil, but in the natural/holistic parenting community, lots of parents dont wanna use sunblock on their kids b/c of all the nasty ingredients and they use coconut oil instead with good results.
Also, coconut oil is good for sunburns, kinda like aloe is.
I love your blog, I just posted on mine with a pic of a green monster and linked to you twice :) You’re my new favorite discovery!
how do you store your coconut oil? i actually just bought some the other day…except i was actually eating it….it was proven to help thyriod function and i have recently found that i have a problem with mine. but hey, ill be happy to slather it alllllll over my body too! only problem is i bought it a day ago, used it to melt into my morning oatmeal and the next day it was pure oil and no longer the solid i bought it as. i know i can still use it for cooking purposes but it would be hard to use on my knees elbows. do you store yours in the fridge?
Keep it refrigerated and it will remain a solid.
When I make french toast!! YUM!