My family has been on a “simple living” journey for five years— out went the TV, new clothes, cluttered closets, harsh cleaning products, processed foods, and anything with corn syrup. Sounds intense and a little extreme, huh?
Well, the Jen Hansard of 2007 would have totally agreed with you. But in 2012, I couldn’t be any happier with these lifestyle changes our family has made. And this past year, I ventured into simple cooking and traded my canola and vegetable oils for olive and coconut oils. And now, I am completely hooked on coconut oil!
Why I love using Coconut Oil
There are many websites than can give you a list of uses for coconut oil, but I want this list to all be about my personal testimony. I religiously use all of these things and can personally say they work for me, and hopefully for you!
Baking: Coconut oil can be substituted 1-for-1 in most baking recipes that call for butter or oil (check out my Maple Granola Muffins and Coconut Granola for some delicious and healthy recipes).
Cooking: My friend Jo got me hooked on cooking eggs in coconut oil. They do taste a little bit like coconut, but that’s a good thing to me.
Body lotion: After the shower, I rub coconut oil all over my body— it feels and smells amazing. I also do this on the kids when their skin is dry (which isn’t too often since we rarely even use soap on them).
Facial moisturizer: I was very scared to put coconut oil on my face. Since moving to Florida I have had issues with acne. So bad, I resorted to Proactive. Well, two months ago I ran out of my face lotion and decided to give coconut oil a try. Sure enough, my face feels good and the acne has subdued. Turns out coconut oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial, which explains why my face hasn’t broken out from it!
**Update 9/10/12: I have been adding 2 drops of tea tree essential oil to the dab of coconut oil I put on my face and the results are awesome. My acne has really cleared and my face has evened out (less red areas). I also think it has to do with me drinking more green smoothies, which are a great way to help your skin glow.
Eye makeup remover: On the rare occasion I actually put on makeup, I do use a cotton ball and a little coconut oil to remove it. Works better than anything else, hands down.
Homemade deodorant: And it actually works!!! This stuff is so good— I highly recommend that you make your own. Here is the easy, peasy recipe.
Hair tamer: I have thick, curly and wild hair— coconut oil helps bring sanity to the situation. After the shower, I use mousse and then smooth some coconut oil on my unruly curls to calm it down.
Deep conditioner for hair: At least once a month, I slather this on the tips of my hair and (even my scalp) and let it soak in for a few hours. Then I brush it through and massage my scalp before I shower. I shampoo it twice through with Yes To, my favorite brand of shampoo and conditioner that is paraben free.
Toothpaste: I started making my own toothpaste with coconut oil 3 months ago and really like it. The coconut oil gives it a creamy consistency, which is similar to store bought (yet way better for you!). The first few weeks my teeth were a little sensitive (which is an issue I have). SO I alternated days with Sensodyne and the homemade recipe. Yet now I only use homemade and my teeth are fine.
Furniture wood polish: I used it today to polish my wood coffee table and it looks beautiful! Just poured some onto a rag and rubbed it around.
Eczema: My son had mild eczema and we used a variety of creams. Coconut oil helped if we caught an outbreak early enough. (We eventually figured out what was causing his eczema— Target brand laundry detergent, and stopped using it. Eczema solved!)
Future uses for Coconut Oil:
Here are some other uses for coconut oil that I haven’t tried, but look forward to:
Lice treatment: My son starts preschool in the fall and I am getting ready for the dreaded lice attack. Sounds like Thrifty Mama has a great alternative to commercial lice products.
Insect repellant: Mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over. I really hope this one works!
Nose bleeds: We are traveling to Southern California next month and I heard that a nose bleed is guaranteed since we have acclimated to the Florida humidity. Time to rub some coconut oil in our noses and moisturize away!
Cuts and scrapes: Keep hearing people rave about the antimicrobial characteristics of coconut oil and am excited to try it on my kid’s ouchies.
What brand of coconut oil do you buy?
Nutiva is the brand I used at first on my face and liked it, but I needed more! I kept hearing great things about Mountain Rose Herbs and decided to try them out. The website wasn’t the easiest to maneuver around, but I managed (and even added some arrowroot and essential oils into my cart). And oh my— the quality of the coconut oil is insane! It’s creamy, light and just feels great— I can’t go back to Nutiva after using this.
I bought one gallon of refined (for cosmetic purposes) and one gallon of unrefined for cooking. Well, the refined is strange and caused my face to break out in a bad rash. So I switched back to the unrefined and my face is happy again. I definitely recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for all things natural and health-related— it’s a great company. But if you are not sure if you are gonna love coconut oil as much as I do, then totally give the less expensive Nutiva a try. That’s what got me hooked in the first place.
New to the world of coconut oil? Read this article full of helpful tips for newbies.
This is a great article. I always feel the need to spread the word on coconut oil and all it’s wonderful powers.
I was scared to put in on my face too, but I am definitely trying it out now. Another thing I have used it for is skin conditions on pets. My sisters dog had horrible itchy skin (allergies we think) and we thought why not give it a shot. It seemed to help our four legged friends as well!
Thanks for all the tips!
Melissa, did your sister use it on the dog when she bathed him/her, or just on the spots that were itching? How often? Our dog gets itchy skin in the summer, so I will give it a try too.
My coconut oil came in the mail–I got it at Vitacost, their brand. Once it’s gone, I will try the Mountain kind. Excited to make deodorant! My husband is game. Thanks for all the tips. I’m going to try that deep cleanse on my hair.
Your hair would love the deep cleanse! For those of us blessed with thick wild hair, the deep conditioner is a girls best friend. You’ll have to let me know how the deodorant goes. I’ll be doing it soon as well— would like to learn from someone else if you have any tips for doing it.
I love this! Being from Hawaii and of Samoan decent coconut oil is very common in the islands. My mother has used coconut oil for our skin and hair but I never even thought to use it for all the other things! Definitely gonna go get more and put it to great use. Awesome article! I really enjoyed it.
I with y’all… coconut oil is a staple in our household. I never realized it kills lice! How awesome is that?! I’ve always included it in a moisturizer recipe I have, but never thought of using it on my face… will try, especially since I just ran out of my facial moisturizer. One of my fav uses besides the egg cooking & baking…. is popcorn! I LOVE it. It is a little coconutty in taste, but I like it, sprinkled with sea salt. Thanks for the list Jen!
oh.. one more thing… coconut water. Better hydration than water, or Gatorade & no artificial sweeteners, dyes or corn syrup. It’s the only thing I drink while playing tennis. The kids drink it too!
Great idea! I don’t like sports drinks so we actually just drink water. But there are moments when water doesn’t cut it. Coconut water sounds perfect! Thanks, like always Jo!
How much do you mix? I have a hard time drinking enough water and am hoping this would help. Thanks
The coconut oil we have now, is in solid form and needs to be melted (or softened) before I can use it on the kids after the bath. Any recommendation on coconut oil that comes in liquid form?
Try whipping it: http://familysponge.com/health/quick-tips-on-using-coconut-oil/
It totally helps.
It will liquidfy at 76 degrees
You are so right Henry. I keep our a/c at 75 and it stays solid, which is how I prefer it.
All coconut oil does that. It just needs to be a little over room temperature in order to melt.
Marieke, fractionated coconut oil stays liquid at room temperature. But keep in mind that fractionating it will get rid of some of the natural benefits of the oil, and using fractionated will throw off the measurements in the recipes just slightly. I use fractionated only as a carrier oil for some essential oil work, but use Dr. Bronner’s unrefined, whole kernel coconut oil for everything else…deodorant, hair oil for my fine but supercurly hair, moisturizer, lubricant.
What’s the recipe for coconut oil toothpaste, Family Sponge?
Just melt the stuff you have now. Coconut oil liquifies depending on temp where it is stored. Just put the bottle someplace warm and it will melt. I’ve had my body oil “freeze up” when it gets colder out and the window in my bathroom makes m bathroom chillier.
Just the warmth from your hands should melt it in a few seconds!
This is also great for ear infections. Between my husband and son someone almost always has one. Use a few drop of slightly warmed coconut oil in an ear and let it sit. It will soak in and is very soothing. Since coconut oil has antibiotic traits there is no need to do a round of antibiotics!! Thank goodness!
Oh, that is genius Jayme! Thanks for sharing— I have a friend who’s 5 year old is constantly struggling with ear infections. Excited to share with her!
Great suggestions! I’m going at my dining room table when I get home! For bug repellent, I use lemon eucalyptus (not lemon+eucalyptus) essential oil, and it works AMAZINGLY well. I read a study a couple of years ago that compared it to DEET and it fared as well.
THANK YOU SHERRIE! I was just ordering from Mountain Rose Herbs and glad I saw your comment about bug repellant. This is right up my alley! How did the table turn out? Nice and shiny? Not to mention yummy?
You’re welcome! And yes, the table looks great!
i just found your blog via CraftGawker.com and so glad I did! This is such a great article. I am going to add you to my reading list and when I have more time I will be back to read through more of your posts! Thanks for sharing your info!
So glad you found us! We are having a blast with Family Sponge and glad to have on here!
HELLO! Just found another use for coconut oil: helps squeaky doors! I put a quarter size amount on a paper towel and rubbed it on the loud door hinges and it totally shushed it up! I used to use wd-40, but the smell is strong and this seemed to work just as well.
Hi ma’am! WD 40 doesn’t lubricate…It sometimes works for this b/c its primary purpose is to eat/clean rust. Try ’3 in 1′ (or coconut oil) for those things. Even my super capable husband does this but when I was 14 I took guitar lessons and when I bought my used guitar it was hurting… so I asking my super seasoned guitar teacher for assist. and he was the one that shared the big news.
Have you tried Tropical Traditions coconut oil? Their “Gold Label” is extra virgin and organic. They also have a version for using on hair. It’s a great website with all kinds of different products — with a healthy lifestyle in mind. AND if you submit a recipe using coconut oil and they put it on their blog, they’ll give you free coconut oil. Plus I like that they package their coconut oil in glass instead of plastic. They’re always having sales and free shipping specials. http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/
I just learned about the healing properties of coconut oil when used to treat yeast infections and thrush. To use for thrush, start with a tablespoon and swish in in your mouth for two to five minutes. Spit out, do not swallow. Do this a few times a day for a week or until thrush is cleared. To clear up a yeast infection, consume one tablespoon of coconut oil three to four times per day. Start with one or two per day and work up to four. There is a short period during this time that you will experience “die off” symptoms – headache, dizzy. This is your body eliminating the toxins from the dying yeast bacteria . I have used this and was overjoyed at the results, without having to resort to hatch anti fungal medicines.
I use coconut oil for what is called “oil pulling”, which is basically rinsing your mouth with it. It is supposed to pull the toxins out of your body. And honestly it does wonders for the teeth and mouth! Every time I do it, my mouth feels fresher than coming from the dentist, and seems to stay fresher for a longer period if time. I love coconut oil, and I also use it on my face and in my hair. I might try the toothpaste…that sounds good!
I’ve heard about oil pulling, but honestly it just sounds so strange! I think I am gonna give it a shot though- don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it…right? Thanks for the inspiration.
wow! Jodi, can you share exatly how to do the oil pulling? As much as I have read on coconut oil & love it, I havent heard this use & I am intrigued & excited to do it! do u dilute it so it “swishes” easier? How much do you use? & do u melt it a little so its not as solid? Thank you for this!
I love this. This is exactly what my husband & I are doing…Trying to get rid of all the stuff (specifically sundry-wise, that has no answer other than “b/c everyone else does”) but I wanted to comment b/c I also have issues with my teeth (they look nice but sadly have health issues with them b/c of “over doing” it. Whitening & brushing really hard, also used to drink soda…and probably other things. Ran across this recipe the other day for remineralizing teeth… some people have said it really does help with sensitivity. Hope it helps you.
http://wellnessmama.com/2500/homemade-remineralizing-toothpaste-recipe/
I plan on trying it out after my spare tubes of toothpaste runs out, but since I recognized the cause of these issues, and wanted to try to go as close to all-natural as I can…I opted to discontinue the sensodyne and started using an “all natural brand” toothpaste, not specifically for sensitive teeth but IT REALLY HELPED! Not only with whitening but also with sensitivity, also. And heard oil pulling helps teeth and receding gums also!
Anyways, cheers!
P.S. Also heard its a contributing factor for islanders maintaining our black hair
well into old age! Hope its true.
This might be why my mom doesn’t look like leather. When she was a body builder in the 80s she would tan in the tanning bed twice a day! She still looks young and I know now its because she used coconut oil all over for her competitions. Little did she know it probably saved her skin!
I have been making my own coconut deodorant for a couple of months now and have found that it works better for me than anything else. About a year ago I became allergic to regular deodorant-Secret, Degree, etc and none of the natural ones were strong enough for me. But this coconut deodorant works so great, I will never go back to anything else. It is so easy to make too. Love it!!
Hi Diane! You have me very curious about the deodorant you made. Could you share your recipe with me? Summer is coming soon and I need to make the switch.
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
I mix the dry stuff first and then mix in the coconut oil kneading it with my fingers cause it is quite thick. Then I just put it in a small jar with a lid. You rub it on with your fingers. It smells so good. I also used virgin coconut oil because that it what I had in the house.
sorry Diane, thank u! Im sorry I just saw that! while I was lookiing I saw a lady saw she adds a few drops of lavender or any other ess. oil to hers & for son adds sandlewood. she also scooped out old deoderant container & adds the coconut recipe then keeps in fridge. seems like to much for me but i will try oil & see what works. Thanks for the recipe
I make my own also. I live in Florida and my oil is almost always liquid. To make the deodorant I melt some natural beeswax and stir in the arrowroot (instead of cornstarch), baking soda, and coconut oil in. I refill an old container and the beeswax makes it able to stay more like a store bought solid so it doesn’t melt everywhere. It doesn’t take too much, don’t boil it – just melt on low heat. Try a little and you can always add more just by remelting and adding some more in later. Too much and you can remelt and add more oil.
hi Diane, I have heard of some recipes, I want to try this as I have recently tried many “natural” deoderants that cost a lot & none worked + i discovered they have other junk thats dangerous while boasting on being alum. free! Anyway, I need simple & fast hopefully I was wondering if u just rub it on by it self while in solid form like u would when using as a lotion? Or do u like a recipe you wouldnt mind sharing? Im getting very eager to do soon bc my 7 year old just started needing it & i want it to be safe
thanks for any direction
If you’ve never tried “www.coconutoilonine.com” – check it out. I’ve tried many different brands, personally i love this one the best… they also have coconut flour and cream that are awesome to substitute for other household staples. Great source of information for all things coconut.
Its also a great lubricant for in the bedroom
Another reason to love coconut oil! I love it!
I love coconut oil too, I’m planning on writing a post about it. You can use it for everything and there are so many health benefits to it. I use it for face moisturizer and toothpaste. It’s supposed to be good to put a spoonful in a smoothie too. Have you heard that it is a sunscreen too?
I have used it as a sunscreen, best to use it daily, so it builds up. but it works in the spur of the moment too
By the way, I found your post on Frugally Sustainable.
Hi Lyza, a fellow coconut oil lover.
I sometimes add it to my green smoothies for health benefits, but it definitely changes the consistency (little white flakes). My new fav thing is using it in play dough as the oil. It makes it smell so good. 
The play dough is a good idea!
I melt the coconut oil in a small bit of really hot water then drop it into the blender. It takes it awhile to get cold again so it doesn’t mess up the consistency too badly. Although you do have to drink it quickly.
I use Omega Nutrition Coconut Oil because it’s the only one I’ve found that has zero coconut taste. I love coconut but it makes it easier to slip into my kids if their veggies don’t taste like coconut.
http://www.omeganutrition.com/inventory.asp?CatId=%7B5C0AF115-C7E4-4A08-8083-15EBC5CB7336%7D
I tried using coconut oil for my face, I used it for my body too. I started getting cystic acne on my shoulders, temples, and under my chin, which I have never, ever had, I normally only get mild acne in general,
I heard it was a comedogenic after this happened, and this happened to me with the unrefined, I used a refined one months and months prior and it didn’t clog my pores like that.
Now I use it below the chest, lol.
~Jules
How funny— so it worked reverse for us. For me, the refined clogged my pores. It’s amazing how our bodies can react so different to things.
You mentioned using it as a sunscreen in another comment above— would you use it at the beach, or just for normal day activities? I am a little scared to trust in it for the beach, but I use it when I am running errands on the bike during the day and it seems to work. No sunburns all summer! So maybe I could use it at the beach- what do you think?
I live in Florida, 5 min away from the beach. It works great, I think daily is better because you are always protected, but the spur of the moment works to, you just have to make sure just like with sunscreen you put it on before you go outside.
It took me awhile to try it too, because it is oil, most people associate oil with tanning, and I didn’t want to fry.
I can use unrefined or refined for below the chest, but above that idk why it clogs my pores, I cannot put it on any oil area.
I wonder one thing though, I touch my shoulders and face all the time with my hands, I have wondered if the mixing of those oils is what caused it, I may try again once I stop touching my face, hard habit to break.
I also live in FL. And yes- touching the face is a hard habit to break. I can attest to that.
Thanks for personal testimony on coconut oil as sunscreen, now I am ready to give it a try and have another reason to love coconut oil. So awesome!
I’m a coconut oil newbie. I got mine from Trader Joe’s and it’s almost gone since I’ve found so many uses. I keep a little ramkin by my bed and use it on my feet… they’re so soft now. I plan to expand to the face but I, too, was weary.
I love using on my arms/legs after a shower– A dab will do ya.
Hey there!! Been discussing going “natural” with the hubby, lately. He won’t do it, but will absolutely support me in my quest to make our home self-sustaining. Is there anything special I need to do when using coconut oil as mosturizer(face or body), or do I just grab a dollop and rub it in?? And with the deodorent, does it help with excessive perspiration, or does it mostly keep you from smelling?? Totally trying every suggestion on here to see how well it works for me!!!
With the deodorant, it helps some with excessive perspiration but mostly it helps with smell. I also think it depends on the person. My friend is peri-menopausal and it does not completely help her with perspiration but I am not and I find that it does lessen it quite a bit.
I agree with Diane. You may still sweat, but you definitely won’t smell.
For the face: I just take a tiny amount (like a pea) and warm it in my hands and apply to my clean face. It does make me a little oily if I overdue it, so I will usually dab my face with a towel in the morning to get off the excess.
I’m just catching onto the coconut oil trend and heard it’s awesome for soothing an upset stomach and calming nausea. Ever tried it?
I haven’t tried it for that Laura, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it helps with that too! I normally make a tea with fresh chopped ginger, lemon wedges, honey and boiling water. Let it steep for 5 minuets and that works really well for naseau and stomach aches. —Jen
Thank you so much for this post! I am new to using coconut oil, and your blog has been very helpful for me! So far I have tried it as a facial moisturizer, body lotion, and hair deep conditioner, and have been loving it… I mentioned you in my blog at http://rachellethefoodiern.blogspot.com/
Thanks again!
<3
This is incredible! I’ve been looking for organic ways to do daily activities such as these! All these brands with the same random chemicals in them claim to be so great for you … if you find the source of the few great antioxidants, omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, etc, you conveniently eliminate the need for all these products: de-clutter you life with TRULY natural and healthy products!
Thanks for this! Looking forward to adding some of these to my regimen soon
Do you have any recommendations for a lip balm recipe using coconut oil? All the ones I have found are either very plain (coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E oil) or they also have an ingredient that is also drying (such as peppermint oil). I’m looking for one that is actually good for your lips as well as slightly scented.
Perhaps I missed this in the discussion above. Thank you for this great information!
You use coconut oil as a moisturizer. I am curious what you use to cleanse your face before the oil? Thank you!
a lady i worked for was a total health nut and got into ‘oil pulling’. basically once she discovered oil pulling i was her guinea pig since i have some mild health issues.
melt down about 2 table spoons of coconut oil and swish in your mouth for 20 min a day. when you spit it out it will be a bubbly milky white and thats from all the toxins in our mouth it has pulled out. results-fresher breath, teeth felt amazing and looked it, little more energy, and a healthier appetite! (i had to work up to 20 min, it was super hard at first to go that long of time-but will not work if you dont swish for at least 12 min)!
an answer to a comment above mine, from swishing and the unpreventable slight drooling it moisturizes your lips!
best to do this process at night or in the morning while showering and/or getting ready
I just bought my first container of virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil. I bought it to use on the patches of psoriasis I have on my hands and elbows. After just 2 days of use, the areas are much less red and not itching so badly! This stuff is amazing! I have started using it as a all-over body moisturizer and as a face moisturizer. It leaves the skin so soft and not-at-all oily! I am SO glad I found this amazing stuff!
Love coconut oil. Used it when I was pregnant and didn’t get any stretch marks. Use it for cooking, otion, eye makeup remover, my hair, and after Breastfeeding. Have also heard it works great for diaper rash. Going to try the toothpaste and deodorant! Love it!
How did you isolate the cause of your son’s eczema? mine flares up all the time, even when using a variety of good for your skin oils (mostly coconut). Thanks for the info.
I was just very aware of what he ate and what we did. For a while, we were on a very strict diet due to food allergies. Turned out he is sensitive to corn (and corn syrup). Once we found that out, his eczema got way better. Then I switched detergents and instantly he had a bad flare up. So I switched back to my old detergent and that was it.