Cool ways to use coconut oil for treating eczema, cleaning teeth and plumping skin.
Updated: Sep 1, 2021
Coconut oil is very unique, and it has so many powerful uses topically.
Many people know you can use coconut oil on your skin, but you might not know why or just how fantastic it really is for various skin issues.
You can check out our blog post for a more detailed breakdown of the chemistry, but we will cover the key ingredient here plus our favorite uses.
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LAURIC ACID
The star ingredient in coconut oil is lauric acid, which is high in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Although coconut oil contains many other chemicals, lauric acid makes up half of its composition. This is why coconut oil has so many benefits especially when used topically or orally.
TREAT ECZEMA
I have treated eczema with coconut oil. During spring or summer, I will get tiny patches of eczema on my skin; sometimes on my elbows and cheeks. Mine is usually due to inflammation or allergens, so coconut oil is a great option.
HOW TO USE IT
Massage a tiny amount onto the eczema for a few seconds. Allow it to sit for about one minute, then rinse! After rinsing, you can apply any other treatment you are using like a prescription or another cream.
The key to this is always rinse the oil off. Also, not every type of eczema can be treated with coconut oil, so always test first! It has worked for mine.
INFECTIONS
Since coconut oil is also an antibacterial, it can be used for infections on the skin. Just lather on some oil directly to the spot and leave it. I have heard of people even using it for Staph infections on skin!
TEETH CLEANING
Have you heard of oil pulling? Swishing coconut oil around in your mouth cleanses bacteria and cleans teeth. Some claim it even whitens teeth.
HERE’S HOW
Add 1-2 teaspoons of oil to your mouth, then swish around for 5-10 minutes. Spit into a trash can when you are finished. Brush well after finished.
Do this daily for cleaning. This amount of time seems long, but it takes awhile for the oil to start working. You get used to it!
Warning: It is gross at first because of the texture of the coconut oil. Once the oil melts in the mouth, it is much easier! You can also just warm the oil up first, so it is already liquid.
USE ON YOUR FACE
My favorite way to use coconut oil is this DIY caffeinated oil. It wakes up tired skin and plumps it! I use this daily.
You can also use it around the eye area to moisturize it.
Alexis Rochester is an investigative chemist, blogger and founder of Chemistry Cachet. She shares science-based skin care, cleaning, gardening and health tips. She was diagnosed with RA at age 10, so she has a passion for pain management tips and research, along with sharing her journey through this disease. When she’s not writing for Chemistry Cachet, she is taking Pilates or Barre classes, and also received her Barre teaching certification this year! She grew up in Stephenville and recently moved back with her daughter, husband and bulldog. You can find her posting pictures and fun stories daily on Instagram. Also look for Chemistry Cachet on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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