21 Unusual Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Health and Weight Loss

1. Protect Your Skin From UV Rays

When applied to your skin, coconut oil may protect it from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, which raise your risk of skin cancer and cause wrinkling and brown spots.

In fact, one study found that coconut oil blocks about 20% of the sun's UV rays

However, keep in mind that it doesn't provide the same protection as conventional sunscreen, which blocks about 90% of UV rays.

Another study estimated that coconut oil has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 7, which is still lower than the minimum recommendation in some countries

2. Increase Your Metabolism

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These are fatty acids that are quickly absorbed and can increase the number of calories you burn

Controlled studies have shown that MCTs can significantly boost your metabolic rate — at least temporarily

One study found that 15–30 grams of MCTs increased the number of calories burned by an average of 120 over a 24-hour period

3. Cook Safely at High Temperatures

Coconut oil has a very high saturated fat content. In fact, about 87% of its fat is saturated (7).

This feature makes it one of the best fats for high-heat cooking, including frying.

Saturated fats retain their structure when heated to high temperatures, unlike the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in vegetable oils.

Oils such as corn and safflower are converted into toxic compounds when heated. These may have harmful effects on health (8).

Therefore, coconut oil is a safer alternative for cooking at high temperatures.

4. Improve Your Dental Health

Coconut oil can be a powerful weapon against bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria in your mouth that causes dental plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease.

In one study, swishing with coconut oil for 10 minutes — known as oil pulling — reduced these bacteria as effectively as rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.

In another study, swishing daily with coconut oil significantly reduced inflammation and plaque in teenagers with gingivitis (inflamed gums)

5. Relieve Skin Irritation and Eczema

Research shows that coconut oil improves dermatitis and other skin disorders at least as well as mineral oil and other conventional moisturizers.

In a study in children with eczema, 47% of those treated with coconut oil noticed major improvements.

6. Replace eggs with coconut oil in baked goods.

One tablespoon of coconut oil can replace one egg in baked goods. Although the coconut oil contains a few more calories—one tablespoon of coconut oil has 120 calories, compared to about 70 in a large egg—you’ll benefit from the MCTs in the coconut oil.

7. Use it as an energy boost.

If you feel sluggish and fatigued during the day, you’re less likely to move your body and lose weight. Instead of reaching for junk food, caffeine or sugar for energy, eat a tablespoon of coconut oil.

This is a great way to incorporate a coconut oil smoothie, kale chips or coconut oil fudge into your diet. You’ll get a surge of energy and all the fat-burning qualities that come with it.

8. Improve Brain Function

The MCTs in coconut oil are broken down by your liver and turned into ketones, which can act as an alternative energy source for your brain (14).

Several studies have found MCTs to have impressive benefits for brain disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer's (15, 16, 17).

Some researchers recommend using coconut oil as a source of MCTs to increase the production of ketones (14).

9. Make Healthy Mayonnaise

Commercial mayonnaise often contains soybean oil and added sugar.

However, it's easy to make your own mayo with coconut oil or olive oil.

The second recipe on this list uses coconut oil as one of the fats for a healthy homemade mayonnaise.

8. Moisturize Your Skin

Coconut oil makes a wonderful moisturizer for your legs, arms, and elbows.

You can use it on your face as well — though this isn't recommended for those with very oily skin.

It can also help repair cracked heels. Simply apply a thin coat to your heels at bedtime, put on socks, and continue on a nightly basis until your heels are smooth.

9. May Help Fight Infections

Virgin coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can help treat infections.

One test-tube study found that it stopped the growth of the intestinal bacteria Clostridium difficile, commonly known as C. diff, which causes severe diarrhea (18).

It also appears to fight yeasts — an effect generally attributed to lauric acid, the main fatty acid in coconut oil (19).

However, no studies have proven that coconut oil is effective at treating infections when eaten or applied to the skin.

10. Increase Your ‘Good’ HDL Cholesterol

Coconut oil has been shown to raise cholesterol levels in some people. However, its strongest and most consistent effect is an increase in “good” HDL cholesterol (20, 21, 22).

One study in women with abdominal obesity found that HDL increased in a group consuming coconut oil, whereas it decreased in those consuming soybean oil (22).

11. Make Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate

Homemade dark chocolate is a delicious way to get coconut oil's health benefits.

Just remember to store it in the refrigerator or freezer, since coconut oil melts at 76°F (24°C).

It’s easy to find a recipe online and get started. To keep things healthy, look for sugar-free ideas.

12. May Reduce Belly Fat

Coconut oil may help reduce belly fat — also known as visceral fat — which is linked to increased health risks, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes (21, 22, 23).

In one study, obese men lost 1 inch (2.54 cm) from their waist fat by adding 2 tablespoons (1 ounce or 30 ml) of coconut oil to their diet (21). Another study looked at women on calorie-restricted diets. Those who took 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil per day had a decrease in waist size, while the soybean-oil group noticed a slight increase (22).

13. Protect Your Hair From Damage

Coconut oil can help keep your hair healthy. One study compared the effects of coconut oil, mineral oil, and sunflower oil on hair.

Only coconut oil significantly reduced protein loss from hair when applied before or after shampooing. This result occurred with damaged as well as healthy hair.

Researchers concluded that the unique structure of lauric acid — the main fatty acid in coconut oil — can penetrate the hair shaft in a way that most other fats can't.

14. Decrease Hunger and Food Intake

The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil may help reduce hunger, leading to a spontaneous decrease in calorie intake.

In a small study, men who followed a high-MCT diet took in fewer calories and lost more weight than men who ate diets with low or medium MCT content (26).

15. Healthy Popcorn Topping

Remember when you were a kid and visited your favorite theatre for a matinee? Remember the glorious smell that permeated the air? Chances are that it was popped in coconut oil. Pop organic corn kernels in coconut oil and then drizzle with just a touch more melted coconut oil and some sea salt.

16. Sports Drink Replacement

Coconut oil gives the body quick energy in the form of its quick acting MCFA fats. Instead of relying on sugary processed drinks, try adding coconut oil and chia seeds to water with fresh fruit.

17. Prolong the Freshness of Eggs

You can use coconut oil to seal the pores in an egg shell and prolong the life of the eggs in your refrigerator. Try swiping a small amount of oil over the shells of the eggs and leaving it to penetrate, which will help prevent exposure to oxygen. This method should extend the life of your eggs for 1–2 weeks.

18. Homemade Toothpaste 

Mix equal parts of coconut oil with baking soda then add a few drops of peppermint essential oil for homemade toothpaste. Try my recipe for homemade probiotic toothpaste with coconut oil, bentonite clay, probiotics and peppermint essential oil.

19. Lip Balm

Dry chapped lips can happen during any season. Commercial lip balms are packed with unhealthy (and potentially toxic) ingredients, which is particularly concerning since we put them on our lips. The healing properties of coconut oil helps to nourish the lips, provides a touch of sun protection and, most importantly, is safe to consume.

Combine 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of beeswax, and 1 tablespoon of shea butter in a nonstick saucepan. Warm slowly until melted. Use a small funnel to refill used lip balm containers. Allow to set up for 6 hours.

20. Soothing Shaving Cream

If razor burn, ingrown hairs or other skin irritation is a problem after shaving, start using pure coconut oil as your shaving “cream.” Warm a dab in the palm of your hands and rub on your face, under arms, on the legs or the bikini area and then shave. Rinse well and pat dry.

21. Prevent and Treat Dandruff

This can help to encourage new hair growth and will help you get rid of dandruff. Rinse well (and then rinse again) and then style as usual. Your hair should be healthy, shiny and full of body. If the coconut oil weighs your hair down, use less the next time and rinse well.