Have you heard of coconut oil? Probably. I’ve heard of it for a long time, too. Heck, I even bought some, but it’s been sitting in my pantry for a couple months now.
Perhaps you’ve heard of coconut oil because it is being touted as the next miracle food. It’s been said to prevent Alzheimer’s. It’s said to help in weight loss and skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and dry skin. (I’ve even heard of people using it for diaper rash)
But wait, it’s saturated fat. That’s bad right?
Well, coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids, which are easier for your body to absorb than the long-chain fatty acids that are usually found in other fats and oils (source). It also is better for cooking than olive oil because it has a higher smoke point (350 degrees vs 320 degrees), meaning that it’s more stable and holds up better in cooking.
Nutritionally speaking, coconut oil has (per 1 Tbsp) 120 calories and 14 g fat (13 saturated) versus olive oil’s 120 calories and 14 g fat (2 saturated).
I’m not a scientist and won’t pretend to know or prove whether coconut oil is the next cure-all or not, but I have heard enough positive things to want to give it a try.
Only one problem. I don’t typically like coconut-flavored food.
I decided to try it anyway. I diced up one large sweet potato and divided it into two bowls. One for spicy, one for sweet.
Then I scooped out 1 Tbsp of coconut oil (which is solid at room temp, since it is a saturated fat) and melted it over low heat. It melts very quickly.
I drizzled half into each bowl and tossed with spices. In the first bowls, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and a bit of cayenne. In the second, a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
Then I roasted at 350 degrees for about an hour.
They were delicious! I loved the spicy concoction and Hailey loved the sweet.
The best part, to me? Perfectly browned without a trace of coconut flavor.
But what about it’s use as a moisturizer? I was concerned about feeling like an oily mess after my shower, but for the sake of research, I decided to try some coconut oil on my legs. It melted as soon as it touched my skin.
I cringed and got ready to feel like a greased pig, but kept rubbing it in. To my surprise, my skin absorbed it beautifully! I rubbed it on my legs and feet, then loved it so much I proceeded to use it as a total body moisturizer.
I really didn’t feel greasy at all and surprisingly I didn’t smell like a giant coconut either. It was subtle.
Am I a convert?
Somewhat! I don’t have anything against other oils, but I will be using coconut oil now, too. I used it to cook eggs this morning (maybe 1/4 a tsp? You don’t need much) and I couldn’t taste coconut at all. I also am interested in trying it on ice cream.
What about you?
Have you tried coconut oil?
Do you like it?
How do you use it?
Jessie @ Graze With Me says
I’m a recent convert to coconut oil & I use it for cooking (I want to bake with it soon) & as a facial moisturizer for both myself & Lyric. I also use it for diaper rash, cradle cap (breast milk works better tho) and for the dry patches on her arms. Love the stuff!
blackhuff says
I’ve never used it before and never really knew that there is so many uses for it even for one’s skin. Thanks for posting this.
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
My mom loves it! She puts it in her coffee in the morning (she drinks it black and says she can’t taste it at all). She gives a little to my dog on her dog food and she loves it too. My mom also puts it on her face at night too as a moisturizer.
Layne says
I love coconut oil! My hubby- into weight lifting swore by it for years. I was hesitant at first but have become a fan, esp since Alzheimer’s run in my family. Never tried it as a moisturizer but usually just rub my hands together vs washing after I scoop some out to use for cooking!
Lisa says
I’m confused: coconut oil has (per 1 Tbsp) 120 calories and 14 g fat (13 saturated) versus olive oil’s 120 calories and 14 g fat (2 saturated).
Doesn’t this mean that Olive Oil has less saturated fat and is therefore better for you?
Brittany says
That’s where the debate is. Like I mentioned, coconut oil (unrefined, non-hydrogenated, non-processed coconut oil) has medium-chain fatty acids versus long-chain, which makes it easier for your body to absorb.
Plus, studies are now concluding that there could be good saturated fats, just like there is good cholesterol.
Short and medium-chain fatty acids are absorbed directly to the liver and available for use by the body, where as long-chain fatty acids (dairy and meat) must be processed in the small intestine before they can be absorbed.
Like I said, I don’t claim to know the answers to whether it’s better or not, but the facts intrigue me enough to use it more often in the place of butter and sometimes other oils.
Paulina says
I have that same jar from Trader Joe’s that I use for everything. I divided it into small containers for it’s many uses. One in the nursery for diaper rash (it works really well!) one in the bathroom for moisturizer, one in my nightstand for…shall we say…sensual use with my husband(!) and of course a big jar in the kitchen for cooking. It’s great for baby massage too, my daughter usually smells faintly of coconuts which I love. There are a ton more uses, if you are interested in it.
Brittany says
sensual use! haha, you just made my day 😉
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I use coconut oil in my hair once or twice a month! I leave it in for 30min – 1 hour before showering and really feel like my hair is softer and stronger after using!
Brittany says
oh, cool! I must try that, especially with the harsh summer heat!
Sherry says
Was the comment about trying it on ice cream just to see if everyone read the entire blog:) I’ll give it a try for many of the reasons you mentioned, but I’m sticking to chocolate syrup on my ice cream!
Lindsay says
I love using coconut oil in both cooking/raw recipes and on the body. I used it a lot this winter when I had dry skin on my face and my husband uses it frequently in the shower to moisturize his scalp.
http://runningwithtongs.com/2012/05/09/whats-in-my-shower/
Maria says
I used to keep a jar of it in the shower and apply it like a body wash. Before I’d get out of the shower, I’d rinse it off. It had the same effects as putting on lotion after a shower, but I never kept up the routine. I’m more of an Aveeno lotion fan 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I use that stuff on everything. I love it baking instead of canola or vegetable oil in addition to the uses you just mentioned. I happen to love coconut and sometimes can taste a faint bit of coconut flavor if I roast veggies with it so it’s perfect 🙂
Kathleen Ojo @ Onward; Inward says
I keep a jar in my kitchen (it makes the BEST stovetop popcorn) and a jar in the bathroom. It works wonderfully on my skin! I never would have thought, since putting oil on my face sounded like an invitation to acne, but it really works – I have fewer breakouts and a more even skin tone. My husband is African and uses it on his scalp every other day or so…. it’s fantastic stuff.
Brittany says
Oh, popcorn. I love that idea! Thanks 🙂
And you would think it would cause breakouts. FUnny that it does the opposite!
Eli says
I’ve been using it recently as I discovered via the internet that it helps with acne and stretch marks
Lauren B. says
It’s funny, but I just got out the coconut oil last night to roast some carrots with, but put it away and used olive oil instead because I didn’t think the coconut flavor would go well with the rest of our meal. Now I know that the flavor is subtle, so I’ll definitely get it back out! Thanks for the review!
Lisa says
I am obsessed with coconut oil, I cook everything in it. I love the taste it gives the things you cook it in. I haven’t tried it as a moisturizer yet though!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Your post and all the comments have convinced me to give this stuff a try! Love coconut flavor/smell so I’m sure I’d be a fan.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I’m a big fan of coconut oil and actually cook with it more than olive oil. I am also a big fan of Hailey’s little face. 🙂
Brittany says
Haha, you’re so cute, Erin!! I hope I get to see your cute baby bump in person soon!
Fallon says
I love coconut oil for a variety of reasons, but I mostly use if for shaving! Both my underarms and my legs have never felt so smooth or had such a close shave. I would definitely give it a try!
alli says
oh, i love coconut oil! i use it as moisturizer on me and my baby (19 months old). he LOVES coconut oil popcorn, as do my husband and i 🙂
i use it in a lot of recipes and in homemade pb cups 🙂 it’s fabulous stuff!
here’s a favorite recipe of ours (minus the choc chips)
http://www.bobbibody.com/2012/04/nikki-healthy-cookie-recipe.html
Sarah says
i have just started using coconut oil recently- so far just for cooking like I would use another oil and just once to rub in my hands. I’ve heard there are so many ways to use it. I’m loving it so far!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
Thanks so much for this! I haven’t tried it because I’m not a huge coconut fan either. I always wondered if my potatoes/muffins/whatever were going to have the flavor or not.
Sarah says
The question I immediately had about using it as a moisturizer:
Did Koda think you were slathering yourself with food?
Haha, my dog always wants to lick lotion so I can only imagine how it would go with coconut oil.
Brittany says
Haha, hilarious! Because yes, Koda came and tried to lick me clean after I covered myself in it. Luckily, once it absorbed she backed off, but at first I might as well have been covering myself in peanut butter. She loved it 🙂
Sarah says
Hahaha dogs are too funny sometimes. I’m sure they must think we are so weird for rubbing “food” on our bodies though!
Pure2raw twins says
so glad you enjoyed coconut oil, we love it! use it daily!!!
at first we were not huge coconut fans, but for the last several years we adore it!!!
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
I love all the replys … We use coconut oil to cook with but I Never knew you could use it for SO many things. I’ll be checking out these out for sure!
Whitney says
It’s also a good after shave. Quick tip though: use unrefined coconut oil. Much healthier than refined variety, at least according to this page: http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/
stampylisa says
look up coconut crack recipes —so easy, 1 tbsp to 1 tbsp coconut oil & cocoa powder ( actually I use the raw Natvitas Naturals Cacao powder that i buy from Vitacost) and a bunch of chopped almonds & stevia powder or drops, mix up real well and then stick in the fridge for a little while and you have a diet chocolatey treat that melts on your tongue OH SO GOOD!!!
you can also pour the melty mixture of coconut/cocoa/stevia over your ice cream and it freezes up like a magic shell but no dang chemicals!!! YAY!
Shariah says
I have been using coconut oil in my skin/hair shea butter moisturizers, and hair conditioner for a while..never cooked with it. but I will try your roasted sweet potato recipe
Verajoy says
A granddaughter clued me in to coconut oil and its many uses.
Now I’m hooked, especially for uses on elderly skin! Love it and love her.
Nikhil says
Coconut Oil had always been the staple oil for food for people in my state in Kerala, India. It is a place full of coconut trees and we use it as a moisturizer as well. I just want to add one more health benefit in using it. It is very good in maintaining healthy hair.
Lindsay Perrault says
I feature coconut oil in EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT I make and sell…My best seller is the Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub! I make my own body butter too!! Woo hoo for coconut oil!
Heather says
When using coconut oil as a body moisturizer: how long does it take to absorb? Does it leave grease stains on clothes?
Brittany Dixon says
I apply it right after the shower and it takes only a few minutes to soak in. By the time I get dressed (maybe 5-10 minutes later?) it’s all absorbed. I’ve never had any end up on my clothes. I use it on my toddler too with similar results! Hope this helps 🙂
Terisa says
You can use coconut oil as a personal lubricant instead of KY. Im seroius! I had a hysterectomy years ago and had problems with using KY and then I heard on Dr Oz about using coconut oil…it works great. Told my friend who also had a hysterectomy and a bout with cancer and she thanks me everytime I talk to her….it has helped her so much.
Beck says
Hello, This is an informative post..I agree with you, coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and anti fungal, coconut oil for skin is an excellent moisturizer. Use coconut oil in your next at home manicure. Rubbing the oil into cuticles helps keep germs at bay and will loosen up cuticles, making them easier to cut.