Coconut oil has been around for years and has traditionally been used mainly in cooking. Foods taste wonderful after being sautéed or baked with it, but there are many other uses for the oil that extend far beyond cooking.
More and more people are adding coconut oil to their health and beauty routines for its all-natural antimicrobial effects and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s gentle on skin, hair, nails, teeth, and gums, making it a great alternative for those with sensitivity issues.
The natural moisturizing and hydrating properties leave skin feeling smooth and polished and it smells wonderful too. A jar of quality coconut oil usually costs less than $10 so it’s affordable and you only need to use a little bit.
Perhaps one of the greatest things about coconut oil is that it’s all-natural and won’t end up harming the environment like most of the ingredients found in beauty products do.
Below is a list of some of the best alternative uses for coconut oil and instructions on how to work it into your health and beauty routine. These will save you money and energy, and don’t forget to check out the video for even more great tips!
1) Removes Glue Residue- Rub a little bit of coconut oil on the sticky gunk that stickers leave behind and it will clear the pesky stuff right off. This also works for stuck zippers, rings on fingers, or any other similar type of situation like that.
2) Deodorant Alternative- People with sensitive skin can benefit from the gentle, all-natural deodorizing effects that coconut oil has to offer. It’s just as effective as the chemical laden versions sold in stores and it smells terrific.
3) Shave Gel Alternative- The next time you take a shower slather on a little bit of coconut oil instead of shave gel. It’ll help the razor glide smoothly over skin, reducing the likelihood of razor burn or cuts. You’ll not only come out smelling fresh but your skin will also be super moisturized as well!
4) Soothe Mosquito Bites- It’s that time of year again when all of the nasty blood sucking mosquitoes come out of seemingly nowhere to feast on us. Those insanely itchy bites they leave behind can drive a person insane. When no amount of scratching seems to make the itch go away rub some coconut oil on the bite and the area around it for quick, soothing relief.
5) Oil pulling- Oil pulling is a great way to help improve your oral, and thus overall, health. People swear by the practice and claim it helps to do everything from whitening teeth to cleaning out toxins from the blood.
Other benefits that have been touted include the following; it kills bacteria that causes bad breath, inhibits tooth decay, fights exhaustion, keeps colds at bay, helps strengthen gums, makes skin glow, helps prevent cancer, decreases instances of mouth sores/ulcers, and re-mineralizes teeth.
Here’s what you need to know in order to try it at home- First, pick out a good organic cold-pressed coconut oil. Take a spoon and place 1-2 teaspoons in your mouth. I’ll feel odd and lumpy at first but it quickly melts to liquid and that’s when you can swish it around your mouth.
You need to swish for a minimum of 10 minutes but many people go for 20, the longer the better. Try not to swallow any oil but if you do it won’t harm you, it’ll just taste gross. When you’re done spit out the oil into a trash can.
Don’t spit it into the sink!! It’s oil and will re-solidify which can result in clogged septic systems. Finally, rinse out your mouth with warm water and finish by brushing your teeth.
6) Coconut Oil and Baking Soda Face Scrub- Washing your face daily is essential to maintaining clear healthy skin and a glowing complexion. Equally important is what you use to wash your face with. This all natural, non-toxic, simply derived face wash can provide all the cleansing power your skin needs without aggravating or over-drying it.
Here’s how to make it- In a small bowl combine coconut oil and baking soda (make sure to break up any lumps in the soda before adding in the coconut oil). There are no set amounts to this recipe and you can adjust it to your skin type and needs.
People with sensitive skin should use a ratio of two parts coconut oil to one part baking soda, 2:1. Those who wish to exfoliate their skin should use equal parts of each ingredient, 1:1.
Mix it together well and then massage it gently onto your face in circular motions. You can leave it on for a couple of minutes as you would a facial mask, or you can wash it off immediately using warm water. It’ll leave your skin smooth, calm, and polished.
The combination of baking soda and coconut oil is effective at treating and fading acne scars, redness, and breakouts, plus it works well at exfoliating rough, dry skin, leaving it moisturized and clean.
Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial agent and helps to unclog pores by fighting against and ridding it of germs while baking soda works to regulate pH since it’s not overly acidic or too alkaline.
7) Coconut Oil Toothpaste- Coconut oil toothpaste is a simple yet effective way to clean and whiten teeth. It helps to remineralize them and is gentle and safe on enamel so it won’t end up doing more harm than good by damaging your teeth.
The recipe that follows shows you how to make all natural homemade toothpaste all you need is a few simple ingredients that include coconut oil, baking powder, food grade flavors like peppermint or sweet orange, and a container to put it all in.
Here’s how to make it- Start off by mixing together 1 part coconut oil with 1 part baking soda. Add in 3-5 drops of whatever food-grade essential oils you prefer in order to flavor it to your desired taste.
Finally, if you mixed it in a separate container, transfer it into the tube or jar you plan on storing it in and allow the paste to set. With regular use this toothpaste will whiten your teeth and give you a healthy, clean mouth. The baking soda helps to whiten teeth and since it’s slightly abrasive it works to clean them as well.
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