Hey there 🙂 So today is Thursday which means it is almost the weekend! I am spending the weekend working in NYC but I’m not too bummed because I get to see a lot of my friends from college and my sister while I’m there. I’m also bringing my puppy Louie to my sister’s apartment and we plan to take him to a dog park together tonight. I’m always happy when I can include him because otherwise I feel so bad leaving him behind at home.
Over the week, I was thinking, as usual, about what I should post on the blog when I found myself telling my cousin about how often I use coconut oil and I thought, “There we go! This is a perfect blog post!” There was also just a recently published article about how coconut oil isn’t actually that healthy for you after all so I figured I’d tackle both subjects with the same post.
- Why they say it’s bad: Too much fat in your diet isn’t good for you. And while coconut oil is filled with the “good” fats, don’t think it means you should consume it as often as possible. Just like everything else, moderation is best.
- Why I’m going to keep using it: I use coconut oil SO often (see below) and I am going to keep using it despite the controversy. It has loads of benefits and because I consume too much of it, I don’t see a reason to stop using it.
My top 5 ways to use coconut oil:
- As shaving cream. I use coconut oil instead of soap or shaving gel and it honestly has changed the way my skin feels and looks. It supplies tons of moisture to my skin and afterwards, my skin feels silky smooth as though I just got it waxed.
- As a hair mask. You guys. My hair can get so brittle from how often I dye it (I’m not 100% a natural blonde but I so desperately want to be!) If I just left it alone, it would end up so course and unhealthy. Often, I’ll apply mask to my hair, flip it into a bun for an hour, and then wash it out (shampoo twice!) My hair feels so soft and healthy for many days afterwards.
- As a makeup remover or moisturizer. When my skin feels super dry, I try to incorporate coconut oil into my beauty routine more. In the winter months, or when my face might be peeling from a sunburn, I take off my makeup with coconut oil and leave my face oily for about 10 min as a bit of a mask before I wash it off. Try it and your face will feel soft as can be afterwards. Bonus: It helps to soothe sunburns!
- To season your pans / get rid of rust. Instead of olive oil, I spray pans with coconut oil spray or drop a dollop before frying something up. This gives it a nutty taste and feels much healthier than butter or oil. Bonus: you can rub the outside of your pan with coconut oil and leave it on overnight. When you wash it off the next day, your pan will look brand spankin’ new!
- As a toothpaste. Mix coconut oil with baking soda and a drop of peppermint oil for your very own organic and natural toothpaste. Baking soda whitens and coconut oils helps protect against cavities and enamel erosion. Peppermint is just my personal touch so it tastes good 😉
I use it as a hair mask and make up remover on a mostly daily basis 🙂 I also love it as a shaving cream or applying it after shaving to avoid bumps! I’ve heard you can oil pull/use it as a tooth paste, but I haven’t gotten to that yet.
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YES! It helps me avoid bumps and I love that! The best shaving cream ever in my opinion!
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Wow didn’t know that there are so many uses for coconut oil! I love your handy recipe for organic toothpaste that you shared at the end. I ought to give that a try!
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It’s awesome! I’m glad you liked it!
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I use coconut oil on my cast iron pans. I also use coconut oil in my homemade skin care products.
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I use them in my cast iron pans too!! It’s the best right?
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I love coconut oil. Did you see the latest on what they are saying about it? If so, what do you think?
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Yes! I kind of touched on it — but I think just like everything, if used in moderation it’s totally fine. I love using it for so many reasons that I wouldn’t let it bother me too much! 😀
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I use a lot of coconut oil as well. But I never considered it as a cleaning agent for my pans. Thanks for the advice!
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It’s the best honestly, like magic!
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Hey,
I recently saw that article too and had a bit of a panic that I had a total misconception of coconut oil, which is scary because I use it daily, but reading it I understand how people may use it a bit too much which could have negative effects. Everything in moderation!. I actually did a post recently about toothpaste with coconut oil, taste takes some getting used to but I love it, don’t regret the switch at all. Didn’t know about using it for rust?! coconut oil continues to amaze me. Anyway, love the post, glad you continue to use it
Em x
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Yes! Amazing! I know — at first I was like, “Wait what? I use coconut oil all the time!” But I don’t use it too much and I love all of the ways to use it so I ain’t stopping! I totally agree and I’m so glad you use it too x
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Totally agree that coco oil has it’s place! My biggest concern is when something labeled as healthy causes people to go crazy over it. It’s my fav for after sun exposure ❤
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Agreed! And yess— especially if you have a bit of a sunburn b/c it helps soothe it and keep it moisturized!
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I use coconut oil for all of these reasons!! Love it!
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I used coconut oil as a hair moistureizer
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The best right?! The only tip is to wash it out a bunch or it’s too greasy
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I had no idea you could use it as toothpaste. I did hear that you could use it to help clean certain objects in the kitchen though.
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Yeah, it honestly works wonders! It’s a great toothpaste too. You should try!
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I’ve never heard or thought about such kind of uses of coconut oil, great tips! thanks for sharing.
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I have never used coconut oil before. I am not a fan of the scent but I have heard it is amazing for your hair! xx corinne
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It is! You could always mix it with some essential oils and make it smell amazing ❤
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These are brilliant! I especially love the idea of using it as a shaving cream because a lot of the ones on the market have junk in them!!
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Yes! It’s the best kind of shaving cream I’ve ever used!
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I think that as long as you are not eating it the benefits are more than the disadvantages. I use it for my hair but I don’t eat it, I prefer olive oil instead.
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I agree, but even using it to get your food nice and crispy is okay as long as you use it in moderation! I like olive oil too, depends on what I’m cooking 😉
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I have used coconut oil for oil pulling, but never as toothpaste. That’s awesome! I may have to try that.
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I’ve never used it for pulling! I have heard good things but have never been sure. How is it?
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I think the key here, as you also said, is moderation. I love coconut oil but I prefer to use it for recipes that call for it specifically.
It has a distinct flavor that might not work for every dish. I also prefer to buy organic coconut oil because it has less additives or debris.
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Yes– definitely should’ve added that I buy organic oil. I also happen to like the taste but it’s definitely a required taste.
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I use coconut oil to cook with. It does not leave my food greasy it gives it a nice taste.
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I love coconut il! I use it for everything! I love your tip to use it as a hair mask!
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It’s the best!! Makes your hair so silky smooth!
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Have used this in a lot of skin products but not toothpaste. Will have to try that next! Thanks!
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Of course! Enjoy 😀
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I want to try using it to shave my legs. It sounds like a perfect alternative to soap or cream. My brother will use it to cook as well.
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Yes girl, shaving your legs with it is the best! You’ll never go back!
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I use coconut oil to whiten my teeth and it works so well. I highly recommend it 🙂
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Do you mix it with anything else?
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i love coconut oil. I have used it for so many things as well.
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It’s honestly magic, right?
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