My Top Five Uses For Coconut Oil

I use coconut oil for pretty much everything. There are other amazing oils out there that are worth checking out, but coconut oil tops them all for me and here's the reason why: it smells good. I know, sounds stupid, but the biggest problem I have with other oils, like olive or avocado, is that I don't like the smell of them. I still use them for cooking, but coconut oil is so special for me because I use it universally for pretty much everything.

Coconut oil from my local german drugstore (Alnatura)

1. cooking/baking

I love using coconut oil in my cooking. It has a high smoking point, so won't burn on you as quickly as other oils do. It's also great in certain recipes, as it solidifies when the temperature drops. That means it can sometimes act as a binding agent. There are so many amazing recipes with coconut oil that I will share with you soon, the list is never ending.

2. hair mask

I often use coconut oil as a hair mask. On days when I don't have to be anywhere, I'll smooth the oil on the lower 2/3 of my hair, put it in a bun or braid and leave it until the next day. Simply letting the oil soak in overnight or for a few hours will already help. Other than as an overnight mask, you could also heat some coconut oil, mash some avocado in for added moisture, and smooth it onto your ends. Wrap you hair in a towel and leave for 30 min to one hour, then shampoo out. Sometimes, when I need an extra kick and my hair looks dull, I will use the oil as a serum after washing my hair. Caution: a little goes a very long way!

3. body lotion

The skin on my body is quite sensitive and very dry. Regular body lotions usually don't do anything for me. After taking a shower, I will smooth a little bit of the oil between my hands and work it into my skin. It has a subtle scent but nothing overpowering, so any perfume you want to use will not be compromised. I find that coconut oil sinks in really quickly and doesn't leave a residue on my skin, so I can get dressed almost immediately without greasing up my clothes. I also smooth it down my hands and my cuticles for a mini mani.

It does wonders for my skin after shaving as well. I'm very prone to gettin razor burn and the coconut oil calms everything down in seconds.

4. deodorant

Other than being very moisturizing, coconut oil also has anti-bacterial qualities. I use it in conjunction with bicarb and essential oils as a deodorant. It doesn't stop the sweat but definitely the smell!

5. face mask

I have combination to oily skin but, especially in the winter months, I tend to get dry patches around my mouth, nose and on my forehead. Whenever that happens, or if my skin is irritated for any reason, I'll use about a teaspoon of coconut oil as a face mask. Again, you can add in other components to make your mask even more potent (avocado, egg yolks etc.), but the coconut oil on its own is more than enough for me. I will smooth it onto dry, cleansed skin, leave it on for 10-20 minutes and take it off with a warm face cloth. If you have normal or dry skin, you can also leave it on overnight for an extra boost of moisture. Simply apply it instead of your nightcream. Some of my friends use coconut oil as a face moisturizer regularly, which would be too much for my skin, but it might work for you.

So there you have my top 5 uses for coconut oil. I often use it as a make-up remover as well, it's pretty much a universal product that can be used in any way. I love working with oils in general. They are gentle and non-irritating and you can be sure that you've done yourself and the environment a favour. One last thing: make sure your oil is cold pressed and not refined!!

Which oils do you use? Do you have a favourite?