Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in recent years, with claims that it can help with everything from weight loss to Alzheimer’s disease development.

Coconut oil is now widely used in packaged products, and many people use it in their cooking. Coconut oil is found in a variety of items, including fried dishes, chocolates, shampoos, coffee, and smoothies.

It not only tastes nice, but it also boasts a slew of health benefits on the inside and out. It can aid in fat burning, metabolism speeding, hunger suppression, cholesterol reduction, and gut healing. Antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties are also present. Coconut oil, on the other hand, offers a variety of different applications that you may not be aware of. We’ve compiled a list of 14 ways to utilize coconut oil to improve your health, appearance, and house. Many of these tips will not only save you money by preventing you from purchasing unneeded items, but they will also assist you in eliminating hazardous chemicals from your home.

1. Go for the glow

Combine coconut oil and baking soda, which is a powerful exfoliator, to brighten dull skin. Simply combine a small amount of each, gently massage into your skin in circular strokes, and then rinse.

2. Care for our cuticles

Rub coconut oil into your nail beds to treat dry, flaky cuticles. Massage some oil into the region with your fingers—it’ll also hydrate your hands!

3. Nourish your lips

Due to the harshness of the weather, our lips require a little additional TLC to maintain them nice and smooth. With a homemade coconut-oil-and-brown-sugar lip scrub, you can get rid of any dry, flaky skin. Plus, when you have coconut oil on hand, who needs Chapstick? Simply apply to your lips for quick moisture. If you want a more matte appearance, let it sit for a few minutes.

4. Buff your skin

When it comes to body scrubs, coconut oil is a terrific addition. To make a delicate yet powerful exfoliating scrub, combine it with brown sugar or salt and a drop or two of your favorite essential oil.

5. Remove your makeup

Use coconut oil to remove heavy makeup, according to one beauty editor. Simply rub a scoop of the substance into your skin, wait a few minutes, and then wipe it away with a warm cloth. Plus, even the most tenacious eye makeup (we’re looking at you, waterproof mascara) works with this approach. Simply dab some coconut oil on a cotton cosmetic pad and wipe away any excess product.

6. Clean your makeup brushes

Almost every beauty and skincare professional emphasizes the need of keeping your makeup brushes as bacteria-free as possible—cleaning them once a week for the ones you use every day. Clean your brushes by using antibacterial dish soap with coconut oil (which also has antibacterial characteristics and will help condition the bristles). For a step-by-step approach, see this page.

7. Moisturize your skin

Replace your regular moisturizer with coconut oil to keep your skin soft and silky. Don’t worry—it absorbs swiftly and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth.

8. Improve your acne

Breakouts are usually a disappointment. Coconut oil is recommended by doctors to help reduce acne-related inflammation while also reducing redness and irritation. Cleanse your face as usual, then apply a thin layer of oil to your face (which will help hydrate your skin—see No. 7). (If you’re doing this before bed, let it soak in for a few minutes so the excess oil doesn’t ruin your sheets.)

9. Soothe sunburns

Use coconut oil for burn relief if you’ve spent too much time in the sun (and have the lobster-like appearance to prove it). It will soothe and hydrate your skin, reducing peeling.

10. Make your own massage oil

It’s no secret that spa massages are fantastic. Oh, the atmosphere, the pampering, and the oils! Though it may be difficult to recreate the same Zen-like ambiance at home, you may certainly benefit from the massage oils without making an appointment. Simply reheat some coconut oil (adding a drop or two of your favorite essential oil if desired) and begin massaging.

11. Polish your pearly whites

Try making your own toothpaste if you’re seeking for a natural alternative to standard toothpaste. Your strategy is as follows: Combine the coconut oil and baking soda until it forms a paste that can be distributed on a toothbrush.

12. Condition wooden flatware and furniture

Conditioning wooden spoons, chopping boards, and other wooden utensils using coconut oil will keep them in good form. Cleaning and treating wooden furniture is necessary to keep it looking excellent. This is where coconut oil comes in. Apply liberally, as you would with wooden utensils, and allow it to soak into the furniture. If you have a lot of ground to cover, consider buying in bulk.

13. Treat leather

If you have a leather coat or pair of lovely leather pants, give them a new lease on life by wiping them down with coconut oil to clean, condition, and restore their luster.

14. Upgrade your smoothie

Oil may not seem like an obvious addition to a smoothie, but a tablespoon can provide an energy boost since the body utilises medium-chain fatty acids as an energy source rather than storing them.

15. Fight colds and the flu

Coconut oil can aid in the immune system’s improvement (by improving your white blood cell count). (In your bloodstream, white blood cells combat viruses and germs.) The greater the number of white blood cells in your system, the more infection-fighting power it has.