10 Surprising Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is definitely having a moment. From the kitchen to the beauty aisle, the white stuff is being touted as a miracle cure-all. But be honest: Do you know what to do with it? We’ve rounded up some of the most useful—and unusual—uses for coconut oil:

COOKING OIL SUBSTITUTE

Though coconut oil contains close to 90 percent saturated fat, it’s a medium-chain fatty acid, which your body burns quickly. It also acts as a blood sugar stabilizer as well as disease and fungus fighter. Use raw, cold pressed coconut oil for best results.

INSECT REPELLENT

In lieu of dowsing yourself with DEET filled repellent, try mixing coconut oil with peppermint, tea tree, or rosemary essential oils and applying to skin before heading outside. Bet you didn’t know coconut oil could be used for that! Bugs be gone!

DEODORANT

If you’re looking for an alternative to deodorants containing aluminum, try rubbing a small amount of coconut oil into your underarms, it’s just another one of the many uses for coconut oil.

DANDRUFF RELIEF

A little goes a long way when using coconut oil. For fewer flakes, massage one to two tablespoons of oil into your scalp. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse.

MAKEUP REMOVER

Dampen a washcloth or cotton face pad with warm water, add a dime-sized amount of coconut oil, then wipe your face. The oil and water tag-team to break down the water and oil soluble compounds on your visage. It even takes off waterproof mascara!

TOOTHPASTE

Mix a little coconut oil and baking soda together for a whitening combo. It seems like a weird concept to brush with oil, but the result will leave you with polished, pearly whites. A pretty awesome use for coconut oil!

LIP BALM

Rubbing a tiny amount of coconut oil on your lips will keep them moisturized for a surprisingly long time. Bonus—they’ll smell great too.

COFFEE CREAMER

Looking for away to cut dairy out of your morning coffee routine? Try using coconut oil, it gives coffee a rich, creamy flavor with a hint of tropical aroma. One to two teaspoons of oil mixed into your mug should be plenty.

BUTTER SUBSTITUTE

Uses for coconut oil include but are not limited to: drizzling it on your popcorn, spreading it on your toast, or substituting it in baking recipes. (Using raw, fresh-pressed coconut oil will yield the most flavorful results.)

MOISTURIZER

Coconut oil is said to prevent and visibly reduce stretch marks as well as decrease the appearance of cellulite. Just another one of the many uses for coconut oil!