13 Top Secret Uses for Coconut Oil You’ll Want to Use Immediately

Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel (or meat) of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm. But one thing that continues to amaze is its endless health benefits.

Some of these include, but are not limited to: skin care, hair care, improvement of digestion and immunity against a host of infections and diseases.

To give you an idea, Dr. Axe has come up with more than 100 — that’s right, 100 — uses for coconut oil that’ll leave you wanting to buy it in bulk. Of those, we’ve narrowed it down to the best and often the least known uses.

So without further ado, here are 13 uses for coconut oil you probably didn’t know about.

Eyeliner! That’s right, if you want to create your very own, all natural eyeliner at home, then you must try this recipe by MintBodyGreen.com. All you have to do is mix together 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, 4 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and 1-2 capsules of activated charcoal OR 1/2 tsp of cocoa powder (depending on whether you want a black or brown shade).

Teeth Whitener: Mix a little bit of coconut oil with baking soda to make an all-natural whitening toothpaste. No need to pay hundreds in fancy teeth-whitening treatments.

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Treatment for Cold Sores: Coconut oil contains three fatty acids — capris, caprylic and lauric acid — that helps heals microbial infections. Dabbing coconut oil on the sore will help speed up healing time, alleviate the pain and reduce the risk of scarring or discoloration.

Acne Treatment: Coconut oil has a similar effect on acne than it does with cold sores, reducing the risk of scarring and also reducing redness. Just mix coconut oil with a little bit of tea tree oil and apply to the affected area.

Insect Repellent: This amazing homemade repellent is guaranteed to keep bugs away! To make about a cup of this beauty, mix a cup of coconut oil with 40 to 50 drops of essential oils, such as citronella, clove, eucalyptus, mint or lemongrass. Make sure to reapply every few hours, or as seen fit.

Smooth, Kissable Lips: Making your own lip balm at home is often preferred by many women. That way, we know what we’re putting on our skin, rather than risking it with toxic chemicals often found on store-bought balms. Click here to get the recipe to a lavender mint lip balm that’ll get rid of dry, cracked lips.

Makeup Remover: Throw those expensive makeup remover wipes away now! Using coconut oil to remove your makeup will work wonders to avoid irritation around your eyes. Plus, it’ll give you extra hydration on your skin, specially around the eyes where your skin is more sensitive.

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Massage Oil: Mixing coconut oil with your favorite essential oils will work just as well as those massage oils you get at the spa. You’ll feel relaxed, and the coconut oil will alleviate any and all sore muscles from a long day.

Shaving Gel: That’s right! Using coconut oil instead of shaving creams or gels will help prevent those annoying (and sometimes painful) ingrown hairs and razor burn. And again, coconut oil’s moisturizing capabilities will leave your legs irresistibly smooth!

Bye Bye Stretch Marks: Stretch marks happen as the skin’s elasticity changes, most frequently after drastic changes in weight and/or pregnancy. Coconut oil helps reduce the appearance of those marks left behind, while keeping the skin moisturized for quicker healing.

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Helps with Sunburns: We’ve hit the triple-digits in Arizona, and if it’s one of those days where the sun was a little too friendly, then this one’s for you. Coconut oil will soothe slight sunburns, alleviating inflamed skin, reducing redness and again, rehydrating the skin. (Note: coconut oil in itself will only provide the coverage of an SPF 4, so additional sunblock is recommended)

Deodorant: Applying coconut oil to the areas where you sweat the most will have the same effect as deodorant. You can even make your own deodorant stick with coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and arrowroot. Check out another great recipe here. 

Remedy for Dandruff: Thewhoot.com.au offers an easy recipe that’ll help you treat dandruff with ease. All you have to do is heat 1/2 cup of coconut oil, add the juice of one lemon, and then massage the resulting mixture into the scalp, leaving it in for 20-40 minutes. Shampoo, rinse, and you’re all set!