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I’ve only just recently been getting more interested in using natural oils for cooking, cleaning and beauty products. One of the most versatile oils on the market seems to be coconut oil.
It’s actually pretty wild to me just how many uses coconuts offer. The coconut itself provides a drink, and something to eat, but the oil – wowza!
There’s just so many things you can do with it!
With more and more people discovering the wondrous benefits of coconut oil, it’s no wonder it seems to be all the rage nowadays.
From skin and hair care to dental care and improving immunity, coconut oil is proving to be a must-have item in anyone’s home.
Although the number of benefits you can expect from using coconut oil is far greater, below you’ll find just 7 amazing benefits you can count on:
- It can make your skin smooth, and younger-looking
- It promotes hair growth and makes your hair shiny and soft
- It can help you lose weight
- It prevents cavities and gum disease
- It’s a decent sunscreen in a pinch
- It prevents heart disease
- It will help you feel energized
Now that you know some of my favorite uses for coconut oil, let’s break them down a little further so you’ll see why it’s so amazing!
7 Uses for Coconut Oil
1. Coconut oil can make your skin smooth, and help you look younger.
Many people hesitate putting anything oily or greasy on their face, but coconut oil will make your skin look absolutely fabulous.
It can be used as a cleanser and makeup remover, or in place of a moisturizing cream.
The high level of fatty acids also makes it perfect for treating eczema or flaky skin, making it smooth and soft. If you using coconut oil as your everyday moisturiser and want to incorporate other oils in as well, that will work too! Personally, if it wasn’t for a friend of mine advising me to look into something like this recommended Koi CBD review, I wouldn’t have thought that adding oils within something as moisturising as coconut oil would be possible.
Coconut oil is well known for its antimicrobial qualities too, so don’t hesitate to apply it on burns, or to use it for treating psoriasis and dermatitis- coconut oil will help your skin heal faster and help with almost any skin condition caused by bacterial or yeast infection.
Related: Eat Healthy and Get Clear Skin? Maybe
2. It promotes hair growth, and makes your hair more shiny and soft.
Coconut oil is often one of the ingredients in the most high-end conditioners and shampoos.
However, it’s most effective when applied directly, without other chemicals preventing it from doing its magic.
Use it in place of conditioner, or as a mask for faster hair growth. It’s also great for repairing damaged hair.
It’s incredibly effective and your hair will look healthy and glossy in no time. And, if you have problems with dandruff, massage some coconut oil on your scalp before washing it, and it will restore the moisture needed for a healthy, dandruff-free scalp.
3. Believe it or not, coconut oil can help your weight loss efforts.
Studies have shown that coconut oil can reduce your appetite, and increase your body’s ability to burn fat. Therefore, making it a dietary staple will help you lose weight more easily.
The unique combination of fatty acids in coconut oil fastens the metabolism, and even without a fitness regime or a restrictive diet to boot, it will help you shed a few extra pounds without a problem.
It’s especially effective for that persistent belly fat, so grab a spoon and enjoy the effects.
Related: Is Your Skin Winter Ready?
4. It prevents cavities and gum disease.
The latest trend in all-natural dental care is oil pulling (or oil swishing), and coconut oil proved to be the most effective oil for the practice.
If you want to seek some professional advice before going forward, contact your local Dentist Little Falls who are armed with helpful suggestions!
The reason for this is that coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which are extremely efficient in fighting off the bacteria.
Oral bacteria are the culprit behind everything from cavities to bad breath, and including coconut oil pulling in your daily dental hygiene routine will have a great impact on your oral health. Of course, this shouldn’t replace regular checkups with your Dentist Manchester.
Swishing coconut oil can prevent cavities and help heal your gums, as well as reduce plaque formation.
The reason why coconut oil is popular beyond its use in the beauty industry is that it has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties.
Coconut oil is packed with antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, all of which are known to destroy bacteria and fungus.
This makes the consumption of coconut oil an efficient way to fight off viruses and infections.
5. Need some protection for your skin from the sun? Enter coconut oil!
Is it any wonder why coconut oil is in so many sunscreen products? Studies have shown that coconut oil may protect your skin from UV rays by as much as 20%!
Now, this isn’t nearly as much protection as most sunscreen you can buy, but in a pinch, it’s better than nothing!
Related: Epic Guide to Sun Safety
6. It prevents heart disease.
Unlike some other oils, coconut oil has high levels of natural saturated fats or “healthy fats”.
That’s why coconut oil increases the level of healthy cholesterol in your body and converts the bad cholesterol to good, lowering the risk of heart disease.
The high content of lauric acid in coconut oil also keeps your blood pressure in check, which, combined with antioxidants coconut oil also contains, promotes a healthy cardiovascular system and prevents a number of heart conditions.
7. Coconut oil can even help you feel energized.
The reason why athletes adore coconut oil is that it contains high levels of medium chain triglycerides, which, after they’re metabolized in the liver, immediately convert to energy.
The fast absorption of healthy saturated fats serves as an instant energy boost, fueling your body without storing the fat in your body’s reserves.
This makes coconut oil a perfect energy-boosting food- it will keep you up and running for a long time, without sneaking in any additional calories to your meal plan.
I love coconut oil and I use it on my skin occasionally. I didn’t realize how good coconut oil is for me. I’m out of it at the moment and need to buy some more.
I have only used coconut oil in cooking, but all these great uses are really amazing. I will consider using it for my skin and tooth health.
Coconut oil is something we use all the time. Really is very good for you in so many ways.
I just love EATING coconut oil and putting it in baked goods!!! MMmmmmm!!!
Great tips! Coconut oil is one of my favorite products to use. I always have a jar on hand.
I had No idea all the different benefits her was to coconut oil. I have coconut oil and I use it in my every day cooking. I apparently need to use it for other things too. Wow that is a lot of benefits. I can’t wait to try out a few of these.
I use coconut oil to cook with and as lotion. I love that it is versatile.
I use coconut oil for cooking and as a moisturizer. A little goes a long way in cooking and it’s a great winter moisturizer
We use a TON of coconut oil in the winter. It is such a great way to combat winter dryness for hair and skin!
My favorite use of coconut oil is as a carrier oil for my essential oils. I use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, several drops of whatever oil I am using and mix them together. The coconut oil helps spread the essential oil.
I need to start using this more often. I always hear how great it is, but I haven’t tried it out yet. Anything that can help me feel more energized!
I always have coconut oil on hand. It’s so useful for so many different things.
Coconut oil is so beneficial in so many ways. Thanks for these extra 7 uses, I will have to try them out. I’m actually out, so I need more!
Wow! I never knew coconut oil has all these great benefits. My dad only uses it to grow his hair.
We use coconut oil for a number of things around here! I love it!
wow! I know that coconut oil is good, but I didn’t know that prevent heart cavity disease. Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks for these tips! I’ve read a lot of conflicting information about coconut oil as a dietary assistant, but I know it has a TON of great uses externally.
It is amazing how versatile Coconut oil can be! I always have a jar of it in my house.
I have tried oil pulling with my teeth. I just didn’t keep up with it.
I love coconut oil for skin/hair, but there have been some studies as of late that shows it’s not the best for ingesting so I question some of the other findings about losing weight and the teeth. But it’s still such an amazing product.
I am aware of the many wonderful uses of coconut but I had no idea that it can be used to prevent cavities! Amazing
I use coconut oil on my hands and feet whenever they get very dry. It’s amazing what a few nights of using it can do to my skin, especially in the winter.
I love using products for my hair and skin that contain coconut oil. Always moisturizes so well
Coconut oil is the best! I keep it around for all kinds of things, but I didn’t know it was good for weight loss and oral health! Very cool!
It’s crazy that one food item can be used for so many different things. I haven’t used it for any personal care yet.
Coconut oil is a must have in my house. I use it for so many things. I have no idea what I did before I discovered it.
And you just inspired me to make some coconut oil fat bombs! ah ha ha!
I am in love with Coconut Oil. I use it for everything cooking, making my own creams and body washes, for massages. It’s great.