50 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

You’ve probably heard many good things about coconut oil, as there is plenty of research supporting its benefits for your body both inside and out. However, you may have also heard some negative aspects, which can be confusing. Let's explore the benefits of coconut oil, how to use it in your kitchen, your beauty routine, and beyond, and why some people question its place in your pantry.

What are the Benefits of Coconut Oil?

The reported coconut oil benefits are as varied as your imagination will allow. Coconut oil is commonly used in the kitchen as a culinary oil with a high smoke point and a delightful hint of tropical flavor. It contains zero carbohydrates and includes three medium-chain fatty acids: lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. These fatty acids are metabolized quickly, providing an energy boost to dishes instead of being stored as fat.

Coconut oil also serves as a natural moisturizer that nourishes and promotes healthy skin and has antioxidant properties. Many popular uses of coconut oil are cosmetic, including ingredients in a variety of beauty products such as coconut oil body scrubs, coconut oil beauty creams, coconut oil lotions, and coconut oil lip balms.

Coconut oil benefits include:

• Weight Management: Studies have shown that coconut oil may help both men and women maintain a healthy weight, alongside diet and exercise.^1,2
• Energy Support: Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that your body uses for quick energy rather than storing it.³
• Cardiovascular Health: Research indicates that the specific type of saturated fats within coconut oil may support healthy blood lipid levels already within the normal range.³
• Cognitive Support: Researchers believe that coconut oil may provide energy for brain cells and boost brain function.³
• Digestibility: MCTs are more easily absorbed than other types of lipids, making them beneficial for people with certain gastrointestinal health issues.⁴

50 Uses for Coconut Oil

We asked BubbForest customers and coworkers how they use coconut oil. Below are some of the numerous uses for coconut oil. If you'd like to join the conversation about coconut oil or other natural health topics, we recommend you follow us on Facebook to connect with us and over 300,000 of your fellow health and wellness enthusiasts.

Below you’ll find a list of 50 different ways to use coconut oil, including links to DIY coconut oil recipes to help you experience all of the amazing benefits coconut oil has to offer.

And when you’re ready to try it yourself, try our Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil—over 1,200 customer reviews to date rate it 4.9/5!

Now, let's explore the amazing ways people use coconut oil to enhance their lives.

Cooking and Eating

1Cooking at High Heat: Some oils are unsafe to cook with at high temperatures, but coconut oil is a great alternative. Refer to our Guide to Cooking Oils for more cooking oils suitable for all your favorite recipes.

2On Toast Instead of Butter: Simply use coconut oil as a delicious alternative to butter on your toast.

3Eat it by the Spoonful: Coconut oil is delicious enough to enjoy by the spoonful! Consume one spoonful each morning, but be mindful of your total daily calorie intake.

4Smoothies: Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to your favorite smoothie recipe to boost your energy with the oil's MCTs. For top smoothie ingredients, check out this post: Top Smoothie Ingredients.

5Fry Eggs: Lightly coat the bottom of your skillet with liquid coconut oil to create a non-stick surface and delicious eggs.

6Popping Popcorn: For a sweet twist on a classic snack, make stovetop popcorn using coconut oil. First, add coconut oil and popcorn kernels to a heavy-bottomed pan, ensuring the kernels are in a single layer. Give the pan a little shake to coat the kernels evenly with oil. Place the pan over medium heat, cover it with a lid slightly ajar to let steam escape, and pop the kernels for about five minutes.

7Popcorn Topping: Melt some coconut oil (or use our liquid coconut oil) and drizzle it over your popped popcorn. Sprinkle with Himalayan crystal salt for added flavor.

8Oven Baked Sweet Potato Chips: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Slice sweet potatoes thinly, about 1/8” thick, place them on a baking sheet, and brush lightly with coconut oil. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the chips are lightly browned. Season with salt to taste, and serve with salsa or dip—or enjoy them plain!

9Replace Vegetable Oil for Baking: Next time you bake your favorite brownie recipe, replace the vegetable oil with coconut oil. Your friends will be asking for the recipe!

10Pan Frying: Use coconut oil when frying a batch of sweet potato fries or a piece of chicken. The flavor is excellent, and the benefits of coconut oil are even better.

11Grilled Cheese with Coconut Oil: Next time, skip the butter and use coconut oil for your grilled cheese sandwich.

12Coconut Oil Coffee: Adding a spoonful of coconut oil to your coffee is a delicious way to start your day with a significant energy boost! Here's a great recipe for coconut oil coffee. For a quick method, consider using coconut oil coffee creamer.

13Homemade Granola: For a delicious coconut granola recipe, check out this link: coconut granola.

14A Spoonful in Tea: Allow some coconut oil to melt and subtly flavor your next cup of tea.

15Salad Dressings: For a simple salad dressing recipe using coconut oil, click here: Coconut Oil Vinegar Salad Dressing.

Coconut Oil for Skin Care and Beauty

In addition to its versatility in the kitchen, coconut oil is renowned for its skin care and beauty applications. In fact, when we polled our Facebook fans, we discovered more ways to use coconut oil for skin and beauty than for any other purpose. It’s an excellent moisturizer for the skin and makes a great addition to body scrubs, a perfect ingredient for lip balm, and it's even used by some as a lubricant in the bedroom. Explore all the clever ways people use coconut oil for natural skin care and beauty below.

16Cheekbone Highlighter: Apply a small amount over makeup to highlight cheekbones.

17Shaving Lotion: Achieve a close shave while moisturizing your skin simultaneously.

18Facial Scrub: Mix coconut oil with Himalayan crystal salt and apply to your face each night. Washing it off is optional.

19Body Scrub: Simply combine coconut oil and sugar for an effective body scrub. For a DIY sugar scrub recipe, check out this link: DIY Sugar Scrub recipe.

20Makeup Remover: Apply coconut oil to your face with clean hands to remove makeup. Use a cotton round or clean cloth to wipe away any excess.

21Homemade Deodorant: You only need a few ingredients in addition to coconut oil to make this simple deodorant. For a recipe, click here: deodorant recipe.

22Homemade Lip Balm or Lip Gloss: Apply directly to lips or create a flavored version with this simple recipe: simple lip balm recipe.

23Baby Care: Regularly apply coconut oil to a baby's bottom to improve skin health.

24Cuticle Softener: Massage about 1 teaspoon of coconut oil into your cuticles to help soften them.

25Moisturizer During Pregnancy: Many moms-to-be use coconut oil to help moisturize their growing bellies.

26Nipple Cream During Breastfeeding: Coconut oil is a popular choice for nursing mothers because it is a natural product.

27Massage Oil: Coconut oil is an excellent choice for a massage oil. It’s not too greasy and has a relaxing scent.

28Body Moisturizer: Apply directly to skin after showering for effective moisturization.

29After-Sun Care: It’s a great option for moisturizing skin after excessive sun exposure.

30Facial Moisturizer: After washing your face, massage a light layer of coconut oil onto your skin.

31Mix in Bath Water: Melt about 1/4 cup of coconut oil and add it to your bath water for a soothing soak.

32Tanning Oil: Pour some liquid coconut oil into a spray bottle and take it to the beach. Spray on to keep your skin moisturized.

33Dry Feet: Mix coconut oil with salt to create a foot scrub, or apply it directly to dry feet for moisturization.

34Elbow Rub: Helps manage dry skin on your elbows.

Coconut Oil Hair Care

35Leave-In Overnight Conditioner: For a deep conditioning hair treatment, rub a small amount of oil into your hair (mainly at the ends), comb through, and secure your hair in a loose bun before bed. Wash it out in the morning.

36Hair Flyaway Tamer: Use sparingly on ends or areas with flyaways.

37Defrizzer of Split Ends: Apply a tiny amount to your hands and smooth it through the frizzy areas.

38Static Reducer: Rub your hands together with a small amount of coconut oil on them and run them through your hair to reduce static.

More Ways to Use Coconut Oil

39Homemade Toothpaste: Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda. Sweeten with stevia and flavor with your favorite extract.

40Aromatherapy: The soothing aroma of coconut oil may help you unwind after a long, stressful day. For more information, read The Beginner's Guide to Aromatherapy.

41Metabolism Booster: Consuming 2 tablespoons per day can rev up your metabolism.

42Thyroid Supporter: Regular consumption of coconut oil has been shown to support healthy thyroid function.⁵

43Energizer: Just 1 teaspoon can provide you with a burst of energy, making it a healthier alternative to caffeinated energy drinks.

44Oil Pulling: Swish coconut oil around in your mouth for 10 minutes before brushing your teeth. To learn more, read: Oil Pulling: Health Benefits or Healthy Hype?

How to Use Coconut Oil Around the House

45Help Deter Pests: Mix essential oils like tea tree and citronella with coconut oil to create a natural deterrent.

46Season a Cast Iron Pan: For a thorough explanation of how to season a cast iron pan with coconut oil, check out this link: how to season a cast iron pan.

47Remove Sticky Residue: Coconut oil can help remove the sticky residue left behind after peeling off a label from jars and containers. Simply apply some oil, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean.

Using Coconut Oil for Animals

Before beginning a new diet or care routine for your pet, consult your veterinarian. Here are a few ways our readers use coconut oil for their pets.

48Add Coconut Oil to Your Dog or Cat’s Diet: Coconut oil isn't just for humans. The MCTs also serve as a natural source of energy for your pets.

49Put Coconut Oil on Your Cat's Paw: Apply half a teaspoon to your kitty's paw and let your pet lick it off. This can help maintain a shiny coat and reduce hairballs.

50Brush Your Dog's Teeth with Coconut Oil: Dental health is crucial for dogs, and they enjoy the taste of coconut oil.

But Wait… Is Coconut Oil Bad for You?

In a 2018 lecture titled “Coconut Oil and other Nutritional Errors,” Karin Michels, the director of the Institute for Prevention and Tumor Epidemiology at the University of Freiburg and a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, described coconut oil as “one of the worst foods you can eat.” While we disagree with this claim, it's important to understand where Ms. Michels is coming from.

Her stance is not uncommon; it reflects a broader view that fats, particularly saturated fats, are harmful and should be avoided. According to Michels, coconut oil is dangerous because it consists almost entirely of saturated fatty acids, and she recommends oils like olive oil or rapeseed oil that are high in unsaturated fatty acids.

As is often the case, you can find studies supporting both sides of the argument over saturated fats. For instance, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that people who regularly consume cheese, whole milk, and other high-fat dairy products—all high in saturated fatty acids—are at no higher risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke, or other illness than those who avoid such products.

Another study using data from 135,000 people in 18 countries and published in The Lancet, found that high fat and low carbohydrate consumption were associated with a 23%