Coconut Oil - Is it as good as all the claims?

[damepeanutbutter]

Praise for coconut oil is everywhere and it seems to be a miracle product. Do you use it? If so what benefits have you seen? Here are some that I've read about. Are they all possible?

Helps you burn fat
Kills bacteria, viruses and fungi
For Oral Health - teeth pulling
Kills hunger, making you eat less
Reduces seizures in epileptics
Improves blood cholesterol and lowers risk of heart disease
Moisturises skin
Protects skin from the sun
Protects hair against damage
Strong nails
Boosts brain function in Alzheimer’s patients
Reduces abdominal fat
Helps control eczema and psoriasis

Really?

I used it on my face as a moisturiser - I have dry sensitive skin - it didn't agree with me, it made my skin feel hot, dry and flakey

Interesting, I use it as a night moisturiser and my skin is the best it's been for a long time (and I'm prone to spots but haven't really had one for a long time now).

I really rate it and it's heavily pushed on all of the healthy eating websites/nutritionalists as its a much better oil than olive and vegetable oils (in cooking)

I use it a lot in cooking and love it, partidularly in scrambled egg, kids love it too.

I also have a jar upstairs and use it for a hair mask, moisturiser and generally when I want a beauty pick me up.

After trying loads of brands I'm really sold on Lucy Bee. Much much better quality than the cheap ones in Tesco and H&B and it is very ethically produced and sourced. The difference in taste is amazing too

I tried it on my face, but it felt and smelt like was rubbing food on my face, it was far too greasy. I might try it on my hair but I'll probably just use it for cooking. Does anyone have any good recipes?

For cooking I use it in stir-fries - it just gives a very subtle coconutty taste, plus even tho it's high in cals it's healthy.

I use it when making " chips" ( in the oven) out of carrots, sweet potato, etc

I recently bought a small pot of coconut oil from Superdrug to use on my dry scalp. I had to scrape it with my nails from the pot, and then really struggled to massage it in properly.
Was I supposed to warm it up before it used it? It just didn't seem right at all.

It stays solid until it reaches a certain temperature. When using for cooking, I put the jar in a pan of hot water until it melts. Never used it for beauty purposes, though, so I'm not sure the best way to go about it ( although I think I would get it liquid)

( melts is probably the wrong word, as it does solidify again )

Melt is right. Anything changing from a solid to a liquid is melting. It will change back to w solid when the temperature falls again. It depends how much energy the molecules have (spot the geek!).

Used it on hair - terrible greasy slick that took ages to shift.

Used it on face - spots. Lots of spots.

Used it when making a chicken korma - very nice.

I use in on my hair as a pre shampoo treatment once a week and it has certainly helped my frizzy hair. I also massage it into my skin after a shower and it has cleared up the lizard skin on my legs. Wouldn't use it on my face though.

I use it to cook with and have started to use it as a cleanser the last couple of days. I use liz Earle c&p afterwards though so hopefully no spots as my skin feels really nice.

Inspired by someone else on here I did 'hot oil cleansing' with coconut oil this weekend. I now have three huge blind spots on my chin.

Eurgh, I tried it on my hair.
Vile.

Much prefer henna wax

I'll warm it up next time and use as a pre shampoo.

When you wash your hair after using on your hair , you should out shampoo on your BEFORE the water, then go ahead and wash as usual. This way you avoid the oil slick look.

here is an evidence paper on coconut oil for anyone who is interested. The benefit of coconut oil are really only a marketing con.

I put it on my face every evening for cleansing and moisturising and for me, no spots. I moisturise with it in the morning too, with Clinique step 1&2 and a Clinique sunscreen. It is perfect for my oily/combination skin. My skin has improved. It looks glossy and healthy without looking shiny and greasy, if that makes any sense?

It's lovely in porridge. However, I stopped that because I saw it has just as much cholesterol as lard. I'm guessing it's good cholesterol though. And recently cholesterol has had a better press (sugar, not fat, is killing us). But the reality is that I took my Lucy Bee pot to the bathroom and was so delighted using it there that I haven't thought of cooking with it. Might try it in a Korma though soon

That was a very interesting article bruffin.

It's a great cleanser and make up remover - scrape a blob from pot (about a teaspoon) and rub onto dry face and neck using fingers. Soak a clean flannel or muslin in hot water and wipe over face. Turn flannel, soak again and wipe again. Dry with a clean cloth or tissue. The advantage is that you can rub it right into eyes with no irritation, it's a lovely silky, pure substance. I wouldnt use it as a moisturiser on face as too greasy for me, but fine for arms and legs.

Tip - keep a small plastic spoon in the pot eg the ones you get with calpol, then you dont need to scrape it out with fingernails.