Where we’re from, superfoods reign supreme.
Aside from being part of some of your favorite Perfect Bars, coconut oil is host to a whole slew of superpowers on its own. When consumed, coconut oil has the potential to improve blood cholesterol levels, boost metabolism, sooth allergy symptoms, and lower the risk of heart disease.
It’s claim to fame came as a natural and healthy cooking alternative to products like oil and butter. However, we’ve found that coconut oil has just as much use outside the kitchen as it does in your food. Here are eight uses for this superfood that you may find surprising:
1. Soothing for the Skin
Feels as good as it tastes! When applied to your skin, the healing powers of coconut oil improve moisture and lipid content, which can prevent stretch marks and improve cellulite. Coconut oil can also aid in decreasing the presence of many skin diseases such as acne, eczema and rosacea, as well as act as a soothing ointment for itchy mosquito bites, the chicken pox and even a poison ivy rash.
Fun fact: these rejuvenating qualities can be beneficial for both you and your household pet!
2. Help for a Bad Hair Day
Ever struggle with finding the right products to cure your #badhaireverday? Well, it’s time for you to give this a try: Rub a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil into dry hair and let it sit for several hours to experience deep conditioning, detangling and defrizzing qualities. The natural moisturizer can also reduce the presence of dandruff and even stimulate hair growth when rubbed directly on your scalp.
3. All-in-One Toiletry Tool
As long as you have a single jar of coconut oil floating somewhere around your house, you will be equipped with various all-natural toiletry items. Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizing lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste, shaving cream, and cuticle softener to help stimulate nail growth. It can also be used for multiple cosmetic purposes, including anti-aging cream, highlighter and makeup remover. Move over, Maybelline!
4. Toxic-Free Sunscreen
Even during the winter months, many people are exposed to the sun on a daily basis. Through Perfect Bar’s partnership with the Skin Cancer Foundation, we’ve become advocates for prevention and early detection education as a way to dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Luckily, coconut oil can be a great non-toxic sunscreen addition to your store-bought go-tos. With an SPF of 4-6, it can block about 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays for baseline, day-to-day skin protection, so we still suggest something a bit stronger for long-term sun exposure. Coconut oil can also be used as a natural tanning oil or a soothing after-sun ointment to speed the healing of sunburns. Talk about killing three birds with one stone!
5. Oil Pulling Mouthwash
Oil pulling is a new oral health trend gaining mainstream attention in news and fashion blogs. This ancient Ayurvedic dental technique involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for any period of time between 5 and 20 minutes. People use different types of oil such as sesame and sunflower oil, but these oils both have omega 6 fats that are pro-inflammatory, and most of us have too much of these in our diet as it is. Coconut oil is preferred because 50% of the fat in coconut oil is comprised of the bacteria whooping ingredient lauric acid. Coconut oil pulling is known to detoxify teeth and gums, while reducing bad breath and naturally whitening teeth.
6. DEET-Free Insect Repellant
When gearing up for your next camping trip, toss the toxic DEET products and lather on some coconut oil! When mixed with peppermint, tea tree or rosemary essential oils, coconut oil can be the base for an all-natural bug repellant or a soothing after-bite cream. Additionally, coconut oil can be used as a chemical-free lice treatment when used with apple cider vinegar. You can rest assured that your hair will receive a deep moisturizing treatment, while also combatting any trace of lice – this stuff takes versatility to a whole new level.
7. Earwax Remover
Believe it or not, coconut oil can aid you in the removal of excess wax from your ears! Simply warm coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds until it becomes a warm liquid. Fill a dropper with half to one tablespoon of oil, tilt your head to your shoulder, and drip the oil into one ear. Let the oil sit for about 10 minutes, return your head to an upright position, and rise out the oil with warm water. Dry your ear with a towel and then repeat on the other side and voilà!
8. A Natural WD-40
Yes, after getting squeaky clean, you can get down and dirty for household needs. The greasy properties of coconut oil allow it to be used as a natural WD-40. Whether it’s removing stubborn stickers, labels or food scraps from surfaces, removing a tight finger ring, or fixing a squeaky door hinge… coconut oil to the rescue.
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These are just a few of the everyday uses for this nutty oil we’ve grown quite fond of. Having a jar around the house for daily use and even those unexpected times will surely serve its purpose (try this brand we love). Give these methods a try and let us know what you think by tagging us on Twitter (@perfect_bar).
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Great article. ..we use coconut oil for many things you listed; wd40 alternative was a new one…thanks!
Glad you found it useful! 🙂
There is no end of the benefits of coconut oil for health. I use it in my skincare routine and it works effectively. It is great makeup remover and moisturizer. Thanks for sharing.