About a year ago, after seeing several friends post about coconut oil on their facebook pages, I started researching this new trend. A few months later, I made my first purchase of unrefined, organic coconut oil through Vitacost.
It’s been a staple in our home ever since.
How I Use Coconut Oil
I mainly use coconut oil in these ways:
Bake With It – I substitute coconut oil in any baking recipe that calls for vegetable oil. I’ve mainly used it in cakes and banana bread.
Smooth My Hair – I have naturally curly hair that tends to frizz. Using a VERY small amount of coconut oil acts as a anti-frizz serum before I blow dry. It can also be used as a deep conditioning treatment for hair.
Remove Eye Makeup – Coconut oil easily removes eye make up, even waterproof mascara. There are many make up removers that I cannot use because my eyes are super sensitive, but coconut oil doesn’t irritate them. Plus, coconut allegedly improves the appearance of fine lines.
Moisturize Skin & Lips – While I don’t use coconut oil as a body moisturizer, I do use it to spot treat problem areas. Specifically during the winter, I massage it into my lips and feet on a regular basis to prevent and heal chapped lips and dry skin.
Other Ways to Use Coconut Oil
While I have not tried these, some people use coconut oil in the following ways:
Dilute Essential Oil – before applying to skin
Heal Diaper Rash
Relieve Bug Bites
Treat and Relieve Skin Problems (including Psoriasis, Dermatitis and Eczema)
I have heard first hand from friends that coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Since she was little, my daughter’s thighs and upper arms have been covered with tiny bumps. They look like a rash, but without the redness or irritation. This summer, we are going to treat them everyday with coconut oil and see if it has any effect.
How do you use coconut oil?