Coconut oil is one of Mother Nature’s best inventions. It’s safe to say that from the kitchen to the bedroom–and every room in between–there’s about a million uses for coconut oil.

Whether your interest is culinary, personal care, or home cleaning related, the benefits and uses for coconut oil are many.

Don’t believe me? Read on for this impressive list. While this list isn’t exhaustive by any stretch of the imagination, it does detail some of the simplest and most common uses for coconut oil.

Everyday Uses for Coconut Oil

1. Makeup Remover – Use coconut oil as a makeup remover. I use it to remove even the most stubborn eye makeup. Just dip a cotton ball or wipe in the oil and use smooth sweeps to remove the makeup.
2. Frying and Roasting – Because of its high smoke point, coconut oil is perfect for frying and roasting. I use it to make just perfect tostones, which are twice fried plantains.
3. Smoothie Fat – Coconut oil can be added to protein smoothies to add some satisfying and heavy fat.
4. Hair Conditioner – A weekly conditioning with coconut oil will make your locks stronger, healthier, and softer.
5. Body Lotion – In the dead of winter, there’s nothing better for healing dry skin than a good slathering of coconut oil. Coconut oil is good for helping to heal chapped skin, eczema, hives, and other skin conditions. It is moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and very soothing.
6. Lube – While it’s not ideal for use with condoms (increases the risk of breakage), coconut oil makes a fine personal lubricant. It’s free from parabens, petroleum, glycerin, and other yucky stuff. Plus, it has the bonus of being a natural anti-fungal.
7. Shave Cream – I’m not ideal for face shaving, but coconut oil works great as an alternative for shaving cream on the legs.
8. Coconut Coffee – Some people are even adding coconut oil to their coffee.
9. Lip Balm – To soothe dry, chapped lips, use coconut oil to make your own natural lip balm.
10. Hair Defrizzer – After a blow-dry, I rub a small bit of coconut oil into my ends and to help smooth flyaways. It works like a charm and smells great too.
11. Leather Polish – While you may not need to polish your leather shoes or bag every day, coconut oil can be used to bring life back to dry leather in need of a shine.
12. Wood Polish – It also makes a great wood polish for adding moisture back into wood furniture. Try it first on a corner, though.
13. Swap it for Butter – Use coconut oil in place of butter for a healthier fat and to impart flavor. It’s equally great in brownies, on top of a baked sweet potato, or in place of butter on toast.
14. Fight Flub Rub – Coconut oil can be useful to prevent chafing–especially between thighs.
15. Diaper Cream – Equally it’s also a nice alternative to diaper creams to protect baby’s bottom from moisture.

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Coconut oil has been creating quite the buzz in health food circles, because it is an all star in the kitchen.

With a high burning temperature, it retains its inherent nutritional properties for longer and also brings a delightful aroma to whatever you are making. However, coconut oil uses stretch beyond the kitchen and even, dare we try it out ourselves, venture into the bedroom. Here are 5 easy and practical ways you can put coconut oil to use on the daily grind, literally.

Without exhausting the conversation surrounding coconut oil, here is why it is good for you, on the inside and out. Coconut is rich a type of saturated fact that does not clog arteries. This fat is composed of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolized differently by the body and do not have harmful effects in the same way normal saturated fats do. The Tokelauans, who live in the South Pacific, consume more than 60 percent of their calories from coconuts but show no evidence of heart disease. Coconut oil’s fats are used as a source of energy and reap the body therapeutic perks, like treating Alzheimer’s. MCTs also exhibited the ability to increase energy expenditure in a given day, by as much as 5 percent, which can contribute to weight loss.

Nearly half of the MCTs in coconut oil is lauric acid, which helps to kill harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. This is good news for those with skin prone to acne or outdoor elements. Coconut oil protects the skin. It also has shown to improve the moisture and lipid content of skin as well as protect the skin and hair from sun damage.

Coconut is clearly something we should all include in our lives. Now, here are 5 unique ways to get the best of coconut oil uses.

1. Lube

Let’s start with one of the most underrated of coconut oil uses – lube. Over-the-counter lube isn’t one of those things that has an ingredient list you can confidently chime at the top of your head. The more I think about it, the more I wonder, what the hell is in there? Looks like parabens, petroleum and petroleum-derived ingredients as well as silicone oils are anything but strangers in the mix. So, why not keep it completely nix the artificial additives and stick to the au naturel feel and flavors of coconut oil? You can add your own edible natural flavors to the mix to keep it interesting as well. [Editor’s note: Coconut oil is not recommended if also using condoms; it will make them ineffective birth control.]

2. Massage Oil

Don’t splurge on a massage oil that is full of artificial aromas. Coconut oil is sleek and smooth and treats the skin while the body is being massaged. In fact, repeated strokes allow for the oil to absorb more deeply into the skin and benefit the body even more.

3. Lip Balm

The lips often go unattended in the heat of the summer or the thick of the winter. Scoop or pour (depending on the temperature) a smidgen of coconut oil into a disposable empty lip balm-sized container. Carry it with you wherever you go to apply whenever your lips are cracked or you are under sun. That way you are always protected from Mother Nature’s elements.

4. Make-Up Remover

Unlike many make up removers or toners that have alcohol in them, coconut oil is smooth and gentle whilst effectively getting rid of even the most caked-on make-up. Use a cotton ball to rub a bit of oil across your lips and chin, under your eyes, and around your temple to remove make up. The ingredient is just one and the additives are none. Meanwhile, you’ll be moisturizing!

5. Shaving Lotion

Coconut oil is a great way to shave without overly aromatic pharmacy shaving creams, gels and mousse. Because it kills bacteria and viruses, if you accidentally cut yourself while shaving, coconut oil is there to save the day! Coconut oil makes for a smooth and easy shave that lets you round those corners and edges without holding your breath.

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