6 Benefits Of Coconut Oil You May Not Know About

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Coconut oil has been all the rage lately, and for good reason. You might already use coconut oil in your cooking, but if that’s the only way you’re using the oil, you’re missing out on some other important uses.

Coconut oil can be used in a number of ways, from fighting off infections, to moisturizing skin and even taking off your makeup.

So how exactly does coconut oil compare to other coconut products? Coconut oil, which is different than coconut meat or coconut milk, is extracted from the meat and often put through a cold-press process. It’s solid at room temperature and is liquid at temperatures greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

When choosing a coconut oil, your best bet is to buy unrefined, organic, virgin and cold-pressed. If you’re looking to improve your health, nourish your skin, or switch to some all-natural remedies, coconut oil just may be your new go-to.

Here are six benefits of coconut oil you may not know about—but should!

1. It Moisturizes Your Skin

Coconut oil can be used on your face as well as your body to help nourish your skin as well as lock in moisture. Rub it on extra-dry spots like your elbows or knees to help with dryness. Celebrities from Kourtney Kardashian to supermodel Carolyn Murphy have raved about its benefits to their skin.

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2. It Improves Your Immune System

Two ingredients found in coconut oil, lauric acid and caprylic acid, have anti-viral properties, and they can kill off harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Including coconut oil in your diet can help keep your immune system strong.

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3. It Moisturizes Chapped Lips

When your lips are dry, you can rely on your trusty bottle of coconut oil to help your lips from getting too chapped. Rub the coconut oil on your lips several times a day when they feel dry, or make a scrub using salt or sugar to remove dry skin.

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4. Use It To Remove Makeup Without Irritation

Out of your makeup remover wipes? Or is your skin too sensitive for regular makeup remove? Lather on some coconut oil instead. The oil removes makeup without drying out your skin, and you don’t have to rub too hard, which can help protect the skin around your eyes and other areas.

Rub the coconut oil between your fingers and massage into your face, gently spreading on the eyes. Remove with a wet washcloth. “La La Land” actress Emma Stone swears by this method to avoid irritating her super-sensitive skin.

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5. It Can Clean Your Teeth

People who make their own toothpaste often do so with coconut oil as the base, which can be helpful because of it’s ability to kill off unwanted bacteria. Others use it for oil pulling to help clean out the mouth and fight gum disease. Shailene Woodley and Gwyneth Paltrow are fans of this ancient technique.

Skinny & Co. Oil Pulling Kit, $38

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6. It Nourishes Your Hair

Coconut oil is especially useful for combatting dry, brittle hair, as it’s been found to help reduce protein loss. It can be used as a conditioner, a hair oil, a detangler and more. Blake Lively uses coconut oil to moisturize the ends of her signature blond locks. It’s a technique she says she learned from her mom!

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Whatever your needs, if you’ve got a jar of coconut oil at home, you’re always good to go—just make sure you’re going with a quality product.

Skinny & Co. is a cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny-certified company that prides ourselves in our utilization of innovative, wild harvested, single origin coconut oil. Our patented Nutralock System crafts the coconut oil under 97 degrees F, which leaves all of the raw nutrients intact. This process results in coconut oil with higher levels of medium chain fatty acids and allows the body to absorb the oil much easier, enhancing its effectiveness.

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About the Author
Carina Wolff
Carina is a health and wellness journalist based in Los Angeles. When she’s not writing, doing yoga, or exploring mountains and beaches, she spends her time cooking and creating recipes for her healthy food blog, Kale Me Maybe. Carina is also an ongoing writer for Bustle, Reader's Digest, FabFitFun, and more.

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