Coconut oil has so many benefits that’s it’s amazing more people don’t use it. If you’ve heard a lot about coconut oil, but are still on the fence about how it could help you, here are 20 reasons that could help convince you.
1. Leather Polisher
Most people own a vehicle. If you want an effective way to polish your interior leather, apply coconut oil to your seats and dashboard. Unlike interior car polishes that contain chemicals that could damage your interior, coconut oil is all-natural, and it helps preserve your leather.
Orange County Upholstery Center
2. Athlete’s Foot Cure
Athlete’s foot is a fungus that causes your feet to itch and the skin to peel. Coconut oil is a natural product that fights fungus and bacteria. Lather your feet with coconut oil and make sure you put some between your toes as well. The oil goes to work quickly and provides relief in as little as a few minutes.
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3. Toothpaste
You can use a teaspoon of coconut oil as a natural teeth cleaner. You can also blend coconut oil and baking soda for an even more potent toothpaste. Coconut oil is a strong antibacterial, and it also absorbs acid, which is one of the main causes of tooth decay in your mouth.
4. Mouthwash
You can also use coconut oil as a powerful mouthwash. Just use a tablespoon of oil and swill it in your mouth for as long as you can. You want the oil to foam up, which is when it delivers the most cleansing properties. Coconut oil will leave your mouth clean, your breath fresh and daily use can even help whiten your teeth.
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5. Antacid
Coconut oil can also help you with stomach problems. Whether you have indigestion, heartburn or irritable bowel, coconut oil can counterattack stomach acid and calm your system. It can also help lower the amount of bad bacteria in your gut, and help regulate your digestion.
6. Ointment
If you have a sunburn, a bug bite or a small cut, use coconut oil as an ointment to help bring relief to your skin. Apply the oil directly to the area where you are experiencing discomfort, but don’t use it on open sores or wounds. Coconut oil is an effective topical solution that is also all-natural.
7. Deodorant
If you are tired of buying deodorants that are filled with chemicals, parabens and artificial colors, make your own deodorant with coconut oil as a base. You’ll also need some baking soda and essential oils to provide texture and to make the deodorant smell good, but the fact that coconut oil fights bacteria is the key.
8. Shaving Cream
Whipped coconut oil can also provide you with a nice, clean, smooth shave. Unlike most shaving creams, coconut oil doesn’t contain chemicals, and it has a soft texture that dulls razor burn, cuts and scrapes. It is equally effective for men who shave their faces every day, and for women who shave their legs.
9. Hair Conditioner
Some women like to use beer as a conditioner, but despite its effectiveness, beer contains harsh ingredients that may not work well long-term on your hair. Coconut oil is a good conditioner because it’s organic and contains lauric acid that protects your hair from losing protein.
10. Daily Lotion
If you want to make a natural and powerful lotion for your entire body, here’s what you need: coconut oil, olive oil and beeswax. Those three ingredients are sufficient to yield coconut oil lotion. Look for recipes online that show you how in just a few minutes, you can melt these ingredients together to make a lotion you can use daily that doesn’t contain cancer-causing toxins.
11. Helps You Lose Weight
You can cook with coconut oil and cut down on the fat in common oils such as vegetable oil and canola oil. Coconut oil doesn’t contain trans fats, and it is also low in saturated fats. Like whole grains, coconut oil forces your stomach to work longer and harder in digestion, which helps you eat less.
12. Sunscreen
Mix coconut oil, shea butter and essential oil to make your own sunscreen. Store-bought sunscreen is often loaded with toxins such as zinc and oxybenzone, which has been linked to hormone disruption and cancer. Coconut oil’s natural properties protects your skin from burning and helps you achieve a healthy tan.
13. Removes Makeup
Coconut oil takes off makeup without much fuss, and doesn’t expose you to the chemicals in some leading makeup removal products. It also leaves your face feeling nice and clean, and coats your skin with a protective layer that helps remove acne and other blemishes.
14. Wood Furniture Cleaner
Coconut oil isn’t harsh or abrasive, so it makes for an outstanding cleaner for your wood furniture. It brings out the grain of your wood, and it doesn’t scratch or cause longterm damage to the wood. It also makes your wood look as if it has been waxed, without all the chemicals that wax contains.
15. Lip Balm
Lip balm protects your mouth from UV rays and sunburn. You’ve already seen how coconut oil works to protect you from the sun, and how it moisturizes and softens your skin, which also makes it ideal as a lip balm. Coconut oil keeps your lips from becoming parched, and restores dry, cracked lips by keeping the moist.
16. Face Wash
Coconut oil works well as a facial wash because it contains antioxidants and it is also an excellent moisturizer. All you need is coconut oil and an anti-microbial face towel, and you can apply the oil daily to keep your skin looking healthy, smooth and young. Coconut oil also absorbs excess oil created by sweat, so even though you are using an oil, your face will not become oily.
17. Butter Substitute
It may sound a little strange, but you can use coconut oil in place of high-calorie butter or margarine. This is not only healthier, but it also offers you a nice, nutty flavor that can enhance food such as pancakes, toast and bagels. And because coconut oil also aids in digestion, your body will metabolize the food much easier.
18. Coffee Creamer
Instead of using full-milk creamer loaded with fat and sugar, or even soy milk creamer, which still has a lot of sugar, use a teaspoon of coconut oil to cream your coffee, and get rid of calories, fat, sugar and artificial additives. And the rich flavor of coconut oil goes nicely with your morning cup of Joe.
