If there is one thing every person needs in their kitchen pantry or bathroom cupboards, its coconut oil. This simple stuff is a magical substance that can be used in so many different and diverse ways – It’s crazy to think how one thing can solve so many of life’s problems.
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When buying coconut oil, make sure it’s organic, virgin, cold pressed, and unrefined. This type is easily and cheaply found in any supermarket, usually in the health food section.
Coconut oil is natures little miracle worker, and here are the some of the many different ways to use it.
- Remove makeup
Coconut oil is a great way to remove your makeup and hydrate your skin all at the same time! The oil breaks down all the makeup on your face (even mascara) and leaves your skin feeling soft and fresh. Dab some of the oil onto a cotton pad or straight onto your face and remove your makeup as normal (make sure you rinse afterwards).
Don’t be scared to use it on your face. Coconut oil doesn’t produce extra oil, break you out, or block pores. The natural substance absorbs quickly and easily into your skin.
- Moisturise
Use it to replace you normal moisturiser. It absorbs quickly, it’s organic, and it increases hydration in your skin.
- Exfoliate
Add equal parts coconut oil and sugar into a bowl, mix together, and rub all over your body to exfoliate dead skin cells. It’s super cheap and easy.
- Soften Stretchmarks
Rub coconut oil onto your stretchmarks once a day to help soften them. This can help heal and reduce their appearance.
- Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a way to get rid of bad breath in the morning and strengthen your teeth and gums. Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for a minimum of five minutes, maximum twenty. Coconut oil is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, so it helps get rid of bacteria and impurities in the mouth.
- Replacement for vegetable oil and butter
Coconut oil is safe to cook with at high temperatures, unlike other oils. Use it as a replacement for vegetable oil when cooking a stir-fry to add some extra flavour into your food. Or, use some instead of butter on your toast in the morning for more flavour and less calories.
- Natural hair repair mask
Smooth some coconut oil onto dry hair and leave for half an hour – or overnight for extra damaged hair. Rinse out in the shower, shampoo and condition as normal. Add some onto the ends of your wet hair to help smooth out when drying. Coconut oil penetrates hair follicles and helps defuse frizzy hair.
- Use to shave your legs
When you shave your legs, your skin gets exfoliated and therefor dries out. Try replacing your soap or shaving cream with coconut oil when shaving any area. This helps moisturise the skin and get a cleaner shave.
- Natural tanning oil or after sun care
If you’re spending money on tanning oils or after sun care then look no further. Coconut oil has natural SPF4, so slather some on while you’re tanning to get that perfect summer glow (of course use sunscreen beforehand). And if you’re suffering from a sunburn the properties in coconut oil will help soothe the burn and heal it faster.
- Heal dry and chapped skin
Use coconut oil as a lip balm. Simply de-pot some into a small container and carry it around in your handbag for an on-the-go chap stick. Or if you suffer from dry hands and dry feet, rub some into your problem areas to leave your skin soft and healed.
Images via foodmatters.tv, and wellandgood.com
