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 also have encountered some negative feedback, which can be confusing. Let's explore the benefits of coconut oil, its various uses in your kitchen and beauty routine, and discuss why some people might question its value in your pantry.

What are the Benefits of Coconut Oil?

The reported benefits of coconut oil are as varied as your imagination will allow. A staple in the kitchen, it is a culinary oil with a high smoke point and a delightful hint of tropical flavor. Coconut oil contains zero carbohydrates and features 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 acts as a natural moisturizer, nourishing and promoting healthy skin, and it boasts antioxidant properties. Many of our favorite uses for coconut oil are cosmetic. It’s a popular ingredient in a wide variety of beauty products, including 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 instead of storing.³
• Cardiovascular Health: Studies have indicated that the specific type of saturated fats in coconut oil may support healthy blood lipid levels already within the normal range.³
• Cognitive Support: Researchers suggest that coconut oil may provide energy for brain cells and enhance brain function.³
• Digestibility: MCTs are more easily absorbed than other types of lipids, making them beneficial for individuals with certain gastrointestinal health concerns.⁴

50 Uses for Coconut Oil

We asked BubbForest customers and coworkers how they use coconut oil. Below are some of the numerous ways coconut oil can be utilized. If you'd like to join the conversation about coconut oil or other natural health topics, we recommend following us on Facebook to connect with us and over 300,000 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 the amazing benefits coconut oil has to offer.

And when you’re ready to try it for yourself, consider our Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil—highly rated with over 1,200 customer reviews rating it at 4.9/5!

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

Cooking and Eating

1Cooking at High Heat: Some oils are unsafe to cook with at high temperatures, coconut oil is a great alternative. Check out our Guide to Cooking Oils to find the best oils for all your favorite recipes.

2On Toast Instead of Butter: Simply replace butter with coconut oil on your toast for a delicious alternative.

3Eat it by the Spoonful: Coconut oil is delicious enough to enjoy by the spoonful each morning; just be mindful of your overall daily calorie intake.

4Smoothies: Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to your favorite smoothie recipe to enhance your energy with the oil's MCTs. Check out this post for the 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: A sweet twist on a classic snack! To make stovetop popcorn, use a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the coconut oil and popcorn kernels to the pot, ensuring the kernels are coated evenly with oil. Place the pot over medium heat with the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. It should take about five minutes for the popcorn to pop completely.

7Popcorn Topping: Instead of butter, try melted coconut oil (or use our liquid coconut oil) as a topping for your popcorn and sprinkle with Himalayan crystal salt for added flavor.

8Oven Baked Sweet Potato Chips: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Thinly slice sweet potatoes to about 1/8-inch thick. Arrange the slices 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, replace the vegetable oil in your favorite brownie recipe with coconut oil. Your friends will be asking for the recipe!

10Pan Frying: When frying sweet potato fries or a piece of chicken, use coconut oil. The taste is excellent, and the health benefits are even better.

11Grilled Cheese with Coconut Oil: Skip the butter next time you make a grilled cheese sandwich.

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

13Homemade Granola: Check out this delightful recipe for coconut granola.

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

15Salad Dressings: A simple coconut oil salad dressing recipe is available here.

Coconut Oil for Skin Care and Beauty

In addition to being an incredibly versatile ingredient in the kitchen, coconut oil is well known for its skin care and beauty applications. In fact, when we polled our Facebook fans, we found more ways to use coconut oil for skin and beauty than for any other purpose. It’s an excellent moisturizer for the skin, a fantastic addition to body scrubs, a perfect lip balm ingredient, 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 on the cheekbones.

17Shaving Lotion: Achieve a close shave and moisturization simultaneously.

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

19Body Scrub: Simply combine coconut oil and sugar. Check out this 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 recipe.

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

23Baby Care: Regularly apply to the baby's bottom to improve skin health.

24Cuticle Softener: Rub 1 tsp on cuticles to help soften the skin.

25Moisturizer During Pregnancy: Moms-to-be appreciate coconut oil to help moisturize a growing belly.

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

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

28Body Moisturizer: Apply directly to skin after showering.

29After-Sun Care: It’s an excellent moisturizer to use after you've gotten a bit too much sun.

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

31Mix in Bath Water: Melt about 1/4 cup and add it to your bath water to soak.

32Tanning Oil: Put some liquid coconut oil in a spray bottle and bring to the beach. Spray on to keep skin moisturized.

33Dry Feet: Mix with salt to form a foot scrub or use coconut oil directly on dry feet to moisturize.

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

Coconut Oil Hair Care

35Leave-In Overnight Conditioner: Looking for a deep conditioning hair treatment? Rub a small amount of oil into hair (mostly at ends), comb through and put hair in a loose bun before bed, then wash out in the morning.

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

37Defrizzer of Split Ends: Just put a tiny amount on your hands and run them through frizzy areas.

38Static Reducer: Rub your hands together with a little bit of coconut oil on them and run them through your static-y hair.

More Ways to Use Coconut Oil

39Homemade Toothpaste: Combine 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 wind down after a long, stressful day. Read The Beginner's Guide to Aromatherapy.

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

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

43Energizer: Just 1 teaspoon can give you a burst of energy; try this instead of a caffeinated energy drink.

44Oil Pulling: Swish coconut oil around in your mouth for 10 minutes before brushing. Read next: Oil Pulling: Health Benefits or Healthy Hype?

How to Use Coconut Oil Around the House

45Help Deter Pests: Add essential oils like tea tree and citronella to make a deterrent.

46Season a Cast Iron Pan: Here is a nice explanation of how to season a cast iron pan with coconut oil.

47Remove Sticky Residue: When reusing jars and containers in the kitchen, coconut oil may help remove the sticky residue left behind after peeling off a label. Just apply some oil and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping clean.

Using Coconut Oil for Animals

Consult your veterinarian before beginning a new diet or care routine for your pet, but here are a few ways our readers use coconut oil for pets.

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

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

50Brush Your Dog's Teeth with Coconut Oil: Dental health is important for pups, plus they love the taste.

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 professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, described coconut oil as “one of the worst foods you can eat.” We disagree with that claim, but it's worth exploring her perspective.

Michels’ stance, which is not uncommon, asserts that fats — particularly saturated fats — are detrimental and should be avoided. According to Michels, coconut oil is risky because it consists almost entirely of saturated fatty acids, and she recommends using oils like olive oil or rapeseed oil, which are high in unsaturated fatty acids.

Research can support both sides of the debate on saturated fats. For instance, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that individuals who regularly consume high-fat dairy products, which are rich in saturated fatty acids, are at no greater 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 across 18 countries and published in The Lancet, found that high fat and low carbohydrate diets were associated with a 23% lower risk of death.⁶

Coconut oil was shunned for a long time because of its high-fat content. However, many critics overlook that most of that fat is in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), also known as medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These MCTs are processed by the body differently than other saturated fats. Coconut oil is easily digested by the body and quickly delivered to the liver for energy production.³ As such, it's used as a quick energy source.