Daily Dose of Design: 25 Unexpected Benefits and Uses of Coconut Oil

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

25 Unexpected Benefits and Uses of Coconut Oil


Coconut oil has become a kitchen must have for many people (including myself!) for a butter/egg/vegetable oil substitute, health benefits and so many more incredible things. But the best part about coconut oil is that it isn't only good for kitchen uses - guys, I bought this entire container JUST to keep in my bathroom because of how many skin care uses there is for this stuff! It blows my mind, but there must be some sort of magic in it because it *really* works and 9 times out of 10, when there's a problem, coconut oil can fix it!

Coconut oil is made from coconuts, and its grounded and the oil is extracted from the coconut. The best part of coconut oil is that it's filled with natural antibacterial properties, making it useful in your every day life. Here are my favorite uses for coconut oil when it comes to your beauty routine and beyond:


1. Shaving cream. I can't tell you how many times I've run out of shaving cream... It's one of those "I just went to Target for two things and left with $200 worth of stuff... without what I came here for" kinds of things, am I right? ;) Coconut oil works just as good if not better than shaving cream - and it makes your skin feel so silky smooth.

2. Makeup Remover. Another item I run out of too much and haven't even been buying as much because this stuff is GOLD when it comes to getting every bit of your makeup off. I put it on my face (damp) and basically scrub until it's all off. It takes off more of your makeup than your typical remover will!

3. Sun burn relief. Especially in the beginning of the summer season, sun burn happens too often! I used my coconut oil in Italy this summer after a day on the beach and by the next morning I was in no pain whatsoever. Ok now I'm CRAVING summer!

4. An in-shower hair treatment. While I'm all for a good hot oil treatment, my hair stylist told me a horror story about hot oil once and ever since then I've been a paranoid Polly about it. Before shampooing, rub about a tablespoon of coconut oil into your hair and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then wash your hair as you normally do and trust me when I tell you - you'll see SUCH a difference once it's dry! I do this once a week (ish) and my hair is so smooth for days after.

5. Dry skin remedy. Winter skin is the worst - soften a bit of the coconut oil in the microwave (5-7 seconds will soften without totally melting it) and put it on dry spots. One of the best dry skin remedies I've used!

6. Quick hair static/flyaway fix. Use a tiny bit of coconut oil rubbed on your hands and apply (lightly and sparingly) to your flyaways and static-y strands. Don't use too much though!

7. Teeth whitener. Melt a quarter sized amount of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for a good 15 minutes. Then spit, rinse and brush - do this every day for a week and you'll see a difference.

8. A natural puffy eye fix. No matter why your eyes are puffy or if you have dark circles/bags; put a little coconut oil on before bed and you'll wake up with much less visible under eye anything. Win!

9. A great melting agent. One of my favorite things to do is make chocolate covered fruit because I can have my chocolate and not feel awful because I have fruit too, ha! ;) Chocolate melts so easy with less than a teaspoon of coconut oil added to it - you'd be amazed - it's like magic!

10. As a cooking oil. A lot of oils can't be used at high heats, but coconut oil can! It has a LOT of nutrients in it and it's become my oil of choice for cooking.

11. Natural chapstick. I took one of my empty contact cases and put some of the coconut oil in it and carry it with me in my bag - it's the perfect chapstick for chapped lips! It works wonders and I use it on my lips at night and under lip glosses/sticks too.

12. Simple blemish fix. I've tried a lot of acne fighting lotions before for the occasional breakout but I've luckily never dealt much with this. When I do have a blemish, I use a tiny bit of coconut oil and it helps fight it and clear your pores.

13. Natural moisturizer. I have a lot of moisturizers I love, but recently in Sephora an employee told me to be careful because some moisturizers are heavy on your skin and can actually clog your pores. It seems like common sense, but it isn't really something you'd expect from a product that's marketed as a great skin moisturizer! I started using a little bit of the coconut oil as a moisturizer as part of my night time routine and I wake up with my skin feeling smooth and fresh. Miracle worker much?!

14. A tool to combat oily skin. It may seem contradictory to use an oil as an oil fighter, but it's true! I have a bit of combo dry/oily skin, but nothing too bad of either. I tend to get oily in my t-zone throughout the day, so I started using coconut oil as a face mask when I feel like I need it and it helps reduce oiliness!

15. Natural exfoliator. Mix equal parts of coconut oil and brown sugar for an all-natural face exfoliant! It feels great on your skin and it's completely natural.

16. A major healing property. Remember how I mentioned I LOVE chocolate covered fruit, and use coconut oil to melt the chocolate? One time I cut my hand on the knife when I was cutting fruit because I'm a #klutz. After knowing how great coconut oil is for basically everything, I put a little bit on the cut and I kid you not... it immediately stopped bleeding. Like, what?! So now every time I get anything as small as a paper cut or anyone around does, I swear by it and it works every. single. time.

17. Reduce the amount of split ends. Once you towel dry your hair after washing, put a tiny little bit of coconut oil on the ends of your hair. I see a huge difference in the amount of time it takes to get split ends after a trim by doing this!

18. Help grow your eye lashes. This one is HUGE for me because if you've been around here for a while, you know that I've always struggled with short, un-curlable (is that a word? can it be?) eye lashes. I try everything and while a few things have worked, going the natural route is #1. There's a ton of different DIY recipes I've seen to use coconut to grow your lashes, but I've tried coconut oil alone and have seen a difference. Some people even swear by it as a natural mascara! It's safe to use on and around your eyes, and it helps thicken your lashes big time. I took an old mascara wand and washed it thoroughly, and keep it for when I soften coconut oil to apply to my lashes. This is something I usually do on a Friday or Saturday night-in when I do a face mask and all of that fun stuff. ;)

19. Bath soother. Melt a half cup of coconut oil and add it to your bath. Thank me later.

20. Boost your energy. Get a bad night of sleep? Have a long to-do list to tackle, or have a mid-afternoon slump? Instead of going straight to the coffee maker, try a tablespoon of coconut oil. I don't hate the taste but if you do, you can add it to a cup of water/sprite or light drink like that. It helps boost your energy naturally without the sugar in coffee or dark chocolate (although a little dark chocolate never hurt anyone!).

21. Clean your makeup brushes. Cleaning your brushes can be tedious, time consuming and annoying but coconut oil cleans them SO quickly and makes the process so much easier! Mix coconut oil with water and dip your brushes into the mix - swoosh it around, let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse them clean.

22. Natural face primer. The tiniest bit of coconut oil makes for SUCH a great pre-makeup face primer! It works just as good as any other primer, and it makes your face makeup last without smudging or fading all day long.

23. Easily remove hair knots. Most especially in the summer, I wear my hair up a lot because I can't be bothered with the thickness and heaviness of it! Plus who doesn't love a cute top knot?! But it makes it so much easier to get tangles out by using a little bit of coconut oil on the knot. #thickhairproblems

24. Natural brow gel. I use eyebrow gel as the final step of my makeup routine every single day - it makes me feel so put together! (anyone else?!) I put a little bit of this on my brows any time I run out of my regular gel, or even if I'm out and have some with me (as lip balm - see #11) to touch up my brows throughout the day.

25. Use as a stress reliever. After a long, busy day, nothing is better than a little stress relief. I've used oils before and I know a lot of people love and use - and I do really like them - but I've noticed that this can really work just as good. Rub a little bit onto pressure points - places like your wrists, neck and temples - the scent is super relaxing and soothing and feels really good, too!


Coconut oil can be put to good use in so many situations - it never fails to amaze me when I hear of a new use for it, try it and love it! Is there anything you'd add to this list?

XOXO

59 comments:

  1. Coconut oil really is amazing! I use it to shave my legs too! So much better than shaving cream!

    xx,

    Lacey
    www.theglittergospelblog.com

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  2. I love coconut oil because you can use it for literally almost anything. :) I love using it for dry skin and as a moisturizer + makeup remover. Great post!

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  3. Coconut oil is my go to moisturizer! I love it-- and I even use it as the base of my DIY toothpaste!

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  4. I've been using coconut oil for years, yet I didn't know a few of these unexpected benefits. I'm looking forward to rubbing it in the ends of my hair.

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  5. I have tried almost all these used and could not live without coconut oil! My skin is so sensitive though I can't use it straight on my face but it is an awesome makeup remover and eyelash grower!

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  6. I actually JUST got coconut oil for the first time and so far I'm loving it. So many great uses!

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  7. Super informative. In fact, I use coconut oil almost on a daily basis for cooking. Also, I use it as a natural exfoliator every other night.

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  8. I love coconut oil, but I had no idea about more than half of these. What an amazing little jar to keep on hand. Pinning so I remember them all!

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  9. I've never tried coconut oil but I think I will have to after reading this :)

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  10. What a great list! This stuff sounds like magic. I want to get some and try it as a makeup remover. I always wake up with raccoon eyes because of the mascara that didn't come off the night before!! Great tips!

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  11. Coconut oil is my fave for moisturizers! I created a pre shave scrub and it works WONDERS!

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  12. I use coconut oil too! I knew about a lot of health benefits with it, but not teeth whiter... duly noted! thank you : )

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  13. Coconut oil really is like a wonder Serum, I love using it mixed with brown sugar to exfoliate and alone as a natural makeup remover. I have to try it on my eyelashes, that sounds amazing!

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  14. I've heard so many people say they put it in their hair. I haven't got to experiment yet but definitely plan to.

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  15. I had absolutely no idea coconut oil had so many benefits! Thanks for sharing, girl!
    -Anna | www.fivefootandfabulous.com

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  16. Coconut oil has been on my shopping list for a while. I am just unable to make myself to visit the store with bio products to ask about it, it is located on such a bad place for me :D

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  17. Wow I didn't know of all the uses for coconut oil. Learned tons.

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  18. I couldn't agree more with you! I use coconut oil for EVERYTHING! :)

    xo, Chloe // http://funinthecloset.com/anniversary-fun-in-the-closet-turns-1/

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  19. Love this! Coconut oil is definitely amazing!

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  20. Coconut oil is amazing! I use it for my hair sometimes.

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  21. I never thought to use this for a makeup remover! What a great idea!

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  22. There are so many ways to use coconut oil. I've never used it before but need to try it!

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  23. So many great ideas! I need to try all of these.

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  24. Yes! I love coconut oil so much. I use it as a moisturizer, hair de-frizzer, and I also make my own tooth-paste and it's one of the ingredients :)

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  25. No freakin way! We have a big jar of coconut oil and we've been using it for dry skin mainly.

    Alix | www.apintsizedlifeblog.com

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  26. I didn't realize it could be used for all of those. I will need to try it for split ends. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. I had no idea you could use coconut oil to clean makeup brushes! Totally going to try that.
    Katie | www.millennialonthemove.com

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  28. Coconut oil is my solution for so many thing! It really is the best beaty product.

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  29. I love products that can be used in so many great ways! I will have to try some of these!

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  30. I have always known that the coconut tree is called the "tree of life," because from the roots to the leaves, it can sustain life. It provides food, oil, lumber, and materials to make a thatched roof. Thank you for sharing this post. Indeed, there are so many uses for coconut oil!

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  31. Wow, I would love to do that too on my home. Coconut is really a big help with so many uses. I agree with Eileen! its really a "Tree of Life" - Anosa

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  32. I love coconut oils and I have been using it from cooking to wiping away waterproof eyeliners and mascara for years. :) Coconut is such an awesome nature's miracle.

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  33. We love cooking with coconut oil but I had no idea it had all of these other uses. I have been struggling with finding a makeup remover that removes all of my mascara, I will be trying the coconut oil for sure!

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  34. I literally use it for EVERYTHING! to get off mascara, to cook, for my hair or skin, all of it! I even did pulling for a while but it made my jaw sore haha

    Rachel | The Confused Millennial

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  35. I have SUPER dry skin on my face and get these awful textured patches along with the dryness. I've started putting coconut oil on my face nightly, and I wake up with some seriously soft, smooth skin! It is a miracle product!

    xo Haley
    http://sugaredpeachblog.com/

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  36. I love using coconut oil as a moisturizer but I will have to try some of these others!

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  37. I love coconut oil, that's what I use for cooking. I haven't explore using it on my skin though.

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  38. It's so funny; I have that very tub of coconut oil on my counter as we speak (looking right at it!) and I've never used it for anything other than cooking! But it's crazy how many alternative uses it has - I need to try one of these out!

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  39. I have a huge tub of coconut oil that I haven't really used, but now that I know it has all of these amazing uses, I'm definitely going to use it more!

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  40. Coconut oil is indeed a great way to combat dry skin and hair. I have just started using coconut for a few things. This is a great list of benefits for the uses of coconut oil. Thanks for sharing.

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  41. I love coconut oil and use it for many things. Thank you for giving me even more ways to use it!

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  42. I used to love coconut oil especially for chapstick, hair treatment, and dry skin. However, when I attempted to cook with it, I found out I had a severe allergic reaction to it. Nooooooo, right?? lol I still love it and tell everyone to use it, I just can't :(

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  43. BRB while I go buy all the coconut oil! I had no idea that it had so many uses.

    Greta | www.gretahollar.com

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  44. I was not aware there was so much use for coconut oil. I need this for my puffy eye bags!

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  45. OMGosh I had no idea that coconut oil was so useful and versatile! I need to pin this blog post so I can come back to it later!!

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  46. My daughter swears by coconut oil. She uses it in scrubs, to clean her makeup brushes with and to do her eyebrows. She loves coconut oil.

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  47. I LOVE coconut oil!! It is seriously the BEST eye makeup remover!!

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  48. I love coconut oil to cook and to condition my hair too.

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  49. A few of my friend are obsessed with using it for makeup remover! It is awesome

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  50. I'm been using coconut for oil for years now. I'm always amazed at the things you can do with it.

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  51. I need to use it for lip balm! I use it as a face moisturizer but I need to explore a bit :)

    xx nicole
    www.nicoleparise.com

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  52. I've used it as moisturizer before but haven't thought of using it for anything else. It's good to know there are so many other uses!

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  53. I use coconut hair on my hair. It serves as my conditioner.

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  54. Never thought that coconut oil has these much benefits for skin. But once I had used coconut oil for psoriasis and it cured my psoriasis completely.

    melissa@revitol dermasis psoriasis treatment

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  55. Coconut oil is very good for the skin. It has various uses and this article showed it all. Very informative thanks a ton for such a concise information.
    Lifecell Cream :)

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  56. This Is Great Information For Us. This Article Is Very Helpful I Really Like This Blog Thanks.

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