Even if you haven’t started cooking with coconut oil yet, you’ve probably heard of it. The pure white oil has become a household name for the health-conscious, and it’s popping up in recipes for everything from stir-fry to vegan fudge. Coconut oil is the “it” ingredient of the moment. If you’re not a fan of the flavor, I know at least nine other ways to use it - see some ideas below. The beauty benefits alone will earn it a new spot in your medicine cabinet!
Because coconut oil is ultra-moisturizing, it’s perfect for everything from DIY body scrubs to hair masks. Rub a dollop of it on your skin to see what I mean. It’ll leave you feeling baby-soft, and it’s all-natural, unlike a lot of lotions out there. During these cold winter months my skin gets desert-dry, so to combat this I use coconut oil on my skin every night. If you suffer from dry skin, too, try it out!
Check out a few of the ways I’ve incorporated it into my daily routine. I guarantee you’ll be loving it, too.
• In a stir fry or quick sauté
• As a butter substitute in baking
• To make raw chocolate bars
• In a supercharged smoothie
• In bulletproof coffee
• Spread on toast
• In oil pulling
• As a moisturizer
• As a leave-in conditioner
• As lip balm
• To soothe itchy skin or bug bites
• As a natural treatment for lice
• To relieve the pain of a sore throat
• In a DIY body butter
• As a makeup remover
Of course, not all coconut oil is created equal—you’ll want to shop for organic, fair trade, and virgin options. Why? First, virgin coconut oil is the most minimally processed product you can buy. While refined oil comes from dried coconut meat that is bleached and chemically processed, virgin oil is extracted from fresh coconuts. Going organic also ensures the finished product won’t be contaminated by any pesticides or harmful additives. Finally, choose fair trade to ensure all the local farm workers were fairly compensated and ethically treated.
An easy way to make sure you’re getting only the highest quality coconut oil on the market? Try Thrive Market’s version! For a limited time, they’re giving all new members a FREE jar of organic virgin coconut oil! Claim your free gift today before they’re gone!
