9 things coconut oil is good for – and none of them are cooking

1. The best eye make-up remover

I try to keep my skincare as simple and natural as possible, but using coconut oil to remove make-up has more benefits than just being natural – it removes eye make-up like nothing else! The fatty acids in the coconut oil dissolve makeup and simultaneously moisturise, so my skin is left with a silky softness. I sprinkle a few drops of coconut oil onto my fingertips and massage it over my eyelids and face. Within a few seconds any stubborn and sticky mascara or kohl liner loosens and dissolves. I then remove the residue with cotton wool and wash for a final cleanse. It’s the best thing I’ve ever used for removing eye make-up!

2. Treating dandruff and flaky, itchy scalps

As a child, I had an incredibly flaky and itchy scalp. The only thing that worked, providing relief from the itching and reducing the flakiness, was coconut oil. My mum and sometimes my grandmother would massage it into my scalp twice a week, leaving it on overnight (protect your pillow with a towel!) before washing in the morning. Even now, if I ever get an itchy scalp, coconut oil is the first thing I turn to.

This wonder oil has antifungal properties that help combat the yeast that often causes dandruff, and its moisturising effect keeps your scalp hydrated and healthy. It has also been found to help strengthen hair.

3. Oil pulling for oral health

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil around your mouth for a minute or longer, in order to remove toxins, known as 'ama' in Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurvedic doctor Nidhi Pandya, ‘While traditionally sesame oil has been used, I have found that coconut oil works better for those who have any type of rawness in the mouth or frequent mouth ulcers'. To oil pull, take a small amount, say a teaspoon, of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth for a minute (you can build up to longer when you’re used to it). Spit it out in the bin or in a tissue (so as not to clog the sink), rinse your mouth with warm water, and brush your teeth as usual. Many people make oil pulling part of their daily oral routine, but it shouldn’t replace regular brushing and flossing.

4. Cold weather protection

The skin loses moisture more quickly in winter, which leads to dryness and chapping. The fatty acids in coconut oil form a protective layer on the skin, which helps shield it from the damaging effects of the cold. It also soothes irritated skin, so there’s an array of benefits. I tend to keep it on and around the lip area, as coconut oil can be quite thick on facial skin, but it also works really well on the body.

5. Hydrating body moisturiser

Coconut oil is incredibly moisturising, which makes it the perfect treatment for dry skin. ‘The microbiome on the skin feeds on oils to survive,’ Pandya says. She suggests coconut oil after a shower or bath, when the pores of your skin are still open, so you get maximum absorption. Try warming up the oil for smoother application and deeper penetration.

6. Natural deodorant

Coconut oil’s antibacterial properties make it a great base for a homemade deodorant. Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for fragrance and apply a small amount to your underarms to enjoy the fresh scent for the rest of the day.

7. Alternative shaving cream

The natural emollient properties of coconut oil create a smooth layer on the skin so that the razor can easily move over the surface, reducing the risk of cuts and irritation. Your skin will feel softer, there’s less need for post-shave moisturising, and the oil can also be used to treat razor burn. I love the simplicity of using a single ingredient for the whole process – plus less clutter in the bathroom to have one multi-use product rather than three!

8. Lip balm or scrub

Coconut oil makes for a great natural lip balm, creating a protective layer on the lips, and mixing coconut oil with sugar makes for a natural lip scrub. Ingredients from the lip can enter the bloodstream quickly as the skin on the lips is much thinner than other parts of the body; and licking your lips or eating and drinking with lip products on can lead to ingestion. That’s why I prefer natural ingredients like coconut oil and sugar, without anything artificial.

9. Tattoo healing

Treating dry skin and wounds is one of the many uses of coconut oil, so using it after getting a tattoo (which is effectively a temporary skin wound) can speed up the healing process due to its anti-inflammatory effects and potent antioxidant properties.

Tattoo aftercare should avoid fragrances and chemicals to help reduce the risk of irritation, and therefore coconut oil makes for the perfect all-natural solution. Just make sure it is pure coconut oil and doesn’t contain other ingredients.

How to choose the right coconut oil

I would suggest going for organic virgin coconut oil as it is made from fresh raw coconuts. Have a quick look at the ingredient list to check that coconut oil is the only ingredient – don't get any with added fragrances or additional ingredients. If you find coconut oil for hair with additional beneficial oils, this is fine – but it’s best to use pure coconut oil on the skin. A bottle of pure coconut oil with no additional ingredients can be used for pretty much everything – including cooking of course!