10 New Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Your Skin
Versatility is always a wonderful thing to find in a product. And with coconut oil becoming a trending craze over the past few years, mainly in diets, it’s no surprise to find that it’s now a huge staple in the beauty industry! There are so many ways you can use coconut oil, and with your skin, it’s no different. Let’s take a look at the 10 unique ways to use coconut oil for skin care that you may not think about (one even has to do with your pets skin care too)!
1. Hydrate Dry Hands
Coconut oil can work wonders on dry, itchy skin. Keep a jar of organic extra virgin coconut oil by the kitchen sink and put a little on after washing your hands to keep them soft and moist. (This won’t work on the go, so make sure you keep one of those hand creams for dry skin in your bag, too.) And if you cook with coconut oil—you can substitute it for butter in baking recipes because it’s solid at room temperature—scoop out a little extra for your hands while you wait for your food to bake!
2. Shaving Your Legs
Conventional shaving cream is an expensive cocktail of chemicals that you don’t really need to get a nice clean shave on your legs or underarms. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is inexpensive, naturally antimicrobial, and smells divine - like a summer vacation by the pool! Plus, its skin-soothing properties will leave your legs looking hydrated (but never greasy).
3. Replacing Lotion
Coconut oil is commonly used as a hydrating oil in its raw form or as an ingredient in moisturizers. Simply use it as your go-to moisturizer if you’re looking for an affordable option that not only smells amazing but also leaves your skin feeling nourished and smooth! If you love testing out new skin care, you can also try a body lotion that contains coconut oil to mix things up every so often.
4. Slather on as a Massage Oil
Many store-bought massage oils have either coconut or jojoba oil as their base. Cut out the middleman and go straight to the bottle! It’s slippery, skin-friendly, and moisturizing.
5. Create a Luscious Body Scrub
Make a body scrub yourself with ingredients you already have in your kitchen! It’s wonderfully moisturizing, great for the skin, inexpensive, and blissfully absent of chemicals you can’t pronounce. To make your own, melt ½ cup of coconut oil at low heat, pour it over 1 cup of brown sugar or salt and stir well. You can also add in five drops of your favorite essential oils (go for eucalyptus or lavender for a relaxing scent) or some pure vanilla extract for a scrub so fragrant you’ll want to eat it!
6. Nourish Dry Cuticles
Massaging coconut oil into your cuticles and the skin around your nails can bring some much-needed moisture to an often overlooked part of the body. The benefit? You’ll fend off cracked skin, hydrate brittle nails, and prevent hangnails!
7. Relieve Psoriasis
Coconut oil is a safe, natural remedy to try if you suffer from psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to build up, which leads to rough, red, scaly patches. It’s a well-known treatment option to help nourish and soothe the skin from psoriasis flares!
8. Treat Your Feet
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that’s triggered by sweaty feet. Coconut oil may help soothe the infection and flaking skin. After you apply athlete’s foot treatment, top it with a layer of organic coconut oil and cover with cotton socks. (This works wonders for cracked heels, too!)
9. Help Reduce Eczema
Coconut oil can also be used as a natural treatment option for those with eczema, a cluster of skin issues that lead to red, itchy, swollen patches of skin. One small study found that eczema patients (specifically those suffering from atopic dermatitis) who applied virgin coconut oil to the skin twice a day experienced a reduction in staph bacteria on the skin, dryness, abrasions, redness, and thickening of the skin due to scratching. Apply a light layer of virgin coconut oil to the affected area twice a day to help soothe eczema.
10. Mend Your Dog’s Paws
Okay, this one’s a beauty trick for your dog, but even our furry friends need a little pampering sometimes! If your pup loves hiking and other outdoor activities, his paws can become cracked and raw from all the stress. Rub a little coconut oil on your dog’s paws—it’ll function as both an antiseptic and moisturizer to help him heal! While topically applying coconut oil should be safe on most dogs, check in with your vet before you give it a try, especially if your pup has a health condition.
Wild Naturals Use for Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is incredibly versatile, although most of these ten tips mention that it’s something that can be a little messy. For your skin care, turn to Wild Naturals for the best in natural products featuring the delightfully beneficial coconut oil, plus manuka honey, shea butter, and more! Shop the online store today for natural beauty that you’ll love!
