We’ve all heard about the health benefits of eating coconut oil, but did you know that coconut oil can be used in non-culinary ways? Yep, this oil can be used as part of your beauty routine! Here are 5 popular ways to use coconut oil outside of the kitchen:
1. Moisturizer
This is easily my favorite non-culinary use for coconut oil! As the weather starts to get colder, lips, hands, and legs tend to get dry and chapped. Coconut oil can take the place of your typical moisturizer, which can be full of chemicals and additives. Instead, use coconut oil as your one-ingredient, one-stop-shop to perfectly moisturized skin.
2. Hair Mask
Have dry hair? Coconut oil to the rescue! You can create a coconut oil hair mask to moisturize, protect, and strengthen your hair. The best part is that you can add whichever essential oil you want to give your hair mask a delicious scent.
3. Pulling
“Pulling” with coconut oil, aka. swishing coconut oil in your mouth and then spitting it out in the trash, may sound and look a bit weird, but people swear by its detoxifying properties. Pulling purportedly presents a number of health benefits including preventing heart disease, whitening teeth, improving acne, and reducing inflammation, so it might be a good addition to your daily toothbrushing routine.
4. Makeup Remover
Like all things you put on your skin, ingredients matter. Makeup removers can be full of harsh chemicals that may damage your skin, so using an organic coconut oil instead might just be a healthier option. Simply rub coconut oil over your makeup, and wipe your face clean with a wet washcloth.
5. Natural Deodorant
Deodorants can be made with not-so-healthy ingredients like aluminum that can be absorbed through the skin. Coconut oil carries anti-fungal and bacteria-killing properties, making it a good substitute for store-bought deodorants. The Coconut Mama has a recipe for homemade coconut oil deodorant that mixes the odor-neutralizing properties of baking soda and the anti-bacterial properties of essential oils to keep you dry and smelling fresh all day long.