101+ Ways to Use Coconut Oil as a Natural Swap
SKIN & BEAUTY
- Makeup remover: swap out harsh cleansers for a natural alternative! Makes makeup melt away
- Under-eye cream
- Frizz control for fly away baby hairs
- Hair mask: use coconut oil as a deep conditioner or hair mask
- Makeup brush cleaner
- Wearing layers of lipstick for a performance or cheer routine? Use coconut oil to melt away the lip stick and get your lips back to their normal color
- Use on cracked heels to help smooth them out
- Homemade body & lip scrub: combine oil with organic coconut sugar or ground coffee beans to create a homemade facial or body scrub that will help remove dry skin. Do this twice weekly for smooth skin that is less likely to develop ingrown hairs, acne, blackheads, or other unwanted dullness.
- Eczema relief
- Fade scar lines
- Apply to tissue around eye to prevent wrinkles and sagging
- Clean lube: switch to a non-toxic alternative for one of the body's most sensitive areas!
- Use to treat lice
- Apply on cuts or burns to speed up healing
- After shave oil
- Use on warts to decrease infection
- Apply a thin layer to tour nostrils to add lubrication and keep you from snoring
- Use as a carrier oil when applying essential oils to the skin
- Apply to new tattoos to help with healing
- Lip balm
- Dab coconut oil on canker sores to speed up the healing process
- Natural sunscreen: use coconut oil as a natural SPF
- Massage oil
- Deodorant
- Use it to treat fungal or yeast infections
- Moisturizer
- Cuticle care: use coconut oil to lock in moisture
- Brush on your eyelashes before bed to strengthen and lengthen eyelashes
- Help with vaginal dryness, especially for women in Menopause
FOR MOM
- Mother's Belly Balm
- Nipple & Nursing Cream
- Perineal massage
- Lactation cookies
- Consume to encourage milk production
- Use as hemorrhoid treatment during pregnancy and postpartum
- Carrier oil for essential oils
- Decrease the visibility of stretch marks
FOR BABY
- Natural Baby Moisturizer (Safe for the face & body)
- Baby Eczema Relief
- Skin barrier protection
- Nipple & Nursing Cream (Safe for baby to consume)
- Cradle Cap
- Diaper rash
- Cooking oil for Baby Lead Weaning
- Dairy-free alternative
- Cuticle care
- Ear care: Add coconut oil to the end of a qtip and gentle massage the inside of the ears to curb ear infection
- Aids in digestion
- Infant massage
- Calm sunburns, scrapes, rashes, or bug bites
- Teething relief: Use a clean finger to apply a small amount of coconut oil and pressure to teething gums. The anti-inflammatory properties will start to work. Then, end by holding an ice cube, wrapped around a wash cloth, for your baby to suck on. *Caretakers must hold on to the ice cube to avoid choking.
IN THE KITCHEN
- “Butter” your toast with it
- Use coconut oil in place of butter when making cookies, brownies, or other baked goods
- Take a spoonful with your vitamins for improved absorption
- Use coconut oil as a natural non-stick cooking spray for pans and griddles
- Add a spoonful of coconut oil to your morning coffee or tea for a delicious and creamy drink
- Season your cast iron pans
- Use coconut oil in place of vegetable oil when making homemade granola or trail mix
- Grill steak and veggies using coconut oil
- Use coconut oil as a natural food preservative by mixing it with vinegar and herbs to make a pickling solution
- Use coconut oil as a natural food thickener when making soups, stews, or sauces
- Use as the base for homemade chocolate candy for a smooth consistency
- Use it as your oil to sauté or stir-fry
- Add a spoonful of coconut oil to your morning smoothie for an extra boost of "healthy fat" and energy
- Roast your vegetables
- Try bulletproof coffee!
- Mix coconut oil in when cooking rice
- Use coconut oil as a base for homemade salad dressings
- Mix coconut oil with herbs and spices to make a tasty rub for meats and vegetables
ORAL HEALTH
- Oil pulling: Oil pulling is an ancient practice that recently gone viral for its natural benefits like whiter teeth, better breath, and getting rid of bad bacteria in the mouth. Here's everything you ned to know!
- DIY toothpaste: make your own natural toothpaste using just a few ingredients, we love this recipe!
PETS
- Topical application: Coconut oil can be applied topically to help soothe dry, itchy skin and reduce inflammation caused by skin conditions like dermatitis. It can also help to improve the appearance of a pet's coat, making it shinier and healthier-looking.
- Oral supplement: Coconut oil can be given orally to provide a source of high quality fat and aid in digestion. It may also help boost the immune system, prevent infections, and support healthy brain function.
- Paw balm: Applying coconut oil to your pet's paw pads can help moisturize and protect them from dryness and cracking. This can be especially beneficial during the winter months when cold weather and salted sidewalks can be harsh on a pet's paws.
- Ear cleaning: Coconut oil can be used to clean your pet's ears and help prevent ear infections. Simply apply a small amount of coconut oil to a cotton ball and gently wipe out the ear canal.
- Flea and tick prevention: Some pet owners have found that regularly applying coconut oil to their pet's coat can help repel fleas and ticks, as well as other pests like mosquitoes.
CLEANING
- Fix squeaky hinges: Just like coconut oil makes a great lube in the bedroom, it can also be used as a lubricant to stop hinges from squeaking. Simply, scoop out a teaspoon of coconut oil on a Q-tip or cloth and rub it onto the creases on the hinge. You can also remove the pin of the hinge from the door completely and then cover it in coconut oil for a longer-term solution. We prefer coconut oil over other oils because it’s pure white color, so it won’t leave a stain like olive oil or canola oil will.
- Polish stainless steel: Coconut oil makes a great stainless steel polisher. Add to a soft cloth and rub along the grain of your appliances for a shiny finish. Erin Boyle, mom behind the blog Reading My Tea Leaves, swears by it. She says, “I use just a spoonful of oil on a soft cloth, rubbed into the surface until it’s not greasy to the touch, but all of the stains and streaks have gone away.”
- Remove sticky labels: Stubborn labels won’t come off? Remove sticky residue from stickers – potentially placed in the wrong place (thank you children!) – by applying coconut oil to the area and letting it sit for 15 minutes. You should be able to watch the stickiness melt right off! Need a little more strength? Add baking soda to the oil and scrub off with a sponge.
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Get crayon off the wall: It’s true! Do the kids in your house not yet know the difference between paper and the wall? Add coconut oil to a soft sponge and rub gently on the wall to remove crayon marks. We recommend testing this on a small area of your wall first, to be sure your wall type is suited for this.
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Condition wood cutting boards: Keep your wood cutting boards from splitting and staining by conditioning them with coconut oil. Just use a cloth to rub some coconut oil over your board and wash clean. Dignity Coconuts coconut oil has a neutral taste and aroma, so you don’t have to worry about the oil making your food taste different!
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All purpose grime-getter: Grimy bathtub? Mix coconut oil with baking soda until it forms a paste and rub the mixture onto a spot that needs some freshening up. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash clean.
- Healthy plants: rub coconut oil on indoor plant leaves to keep them from collecting dust and help them shine
DIY IDEAS
- Natural Deodorant: Equal parts Coconut Oil, Baking Soda, and Arrowroot Powder (or cornstarch)
- Watercolor Paints: make child-safe watercolor paints using coconut oil and feel safe knowing your child could eat it and be ok
- Homemade Toothpaste (Dr. Axe Recipe)
- Face Mask: 1 tbsp raw manuka honey, 3 tbsp virgin coconut oil (melted), 1/2 tsp lemon juice, optional: 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder. (Turmeric is a very powerful anti-inflammatory agent, but be careful as the yellow in turmeric will stain countertops and brushes)
- Lip Balm (WellnessMama's recipe)
- Homemade Coconut Oil Play-dough: child safe and edible recipe for kids!
- Homemade Exfoliator: Combine oil with organic coconut sugar or ground coffee beans to create a homemade facial or body scrub that will help remove dry skin. Do this twice weekly for smooth skin that is less likely to develop ingrown hairs, acne, blackheads, or other unwanted dullness. (Dr. Axe Recipe)
- Laundry Detergent: Combine coconut oil with lye, water, and essential oils of your choice to create a non-toxic soapy liquid that is perfect for cleaning clothes. The formula will not irritate your skin or have a negative affect on fabric, like many store-bought detergents can. This is a great solution for sensitive skin and those prone to allergies. (Dr. Axe Recipe)
- Homemade soap: use coconut oil in your next homemade soap recipe
RECIPE IDEAS
- Non-Dairy Rice Krispy Treats
- Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping
- Super Moist Pumpkin Bread
- Roasted Salmon
- Vanilla Coconut Oatmeal Bowl
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Granola Yogurt Parfait
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Homemade Larbars
- Gluten & Dairy-Free Apple Crisp
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
- Berry Morning Smoothie
- Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free Honey Granola
- Coconut Oil Candy Corn Popcorn
- Simple & Savory Kale Chips