The Best Coconut Oil

Buying Guide

Coconut oil is a highly versatile and useful item. From cooking to skincare to so much more, coconut oil can become a staple to have in your cupboard at home. Many cooks and professional chefs choose coconut oil for their kitchens because it is ideal for high-heat cooking. It has a high saturated fat content, which actually makes it safer than vegetable oils for cooking at very high heats. Those who suffer from eczema and other skin irritations can rely on coconut oil for some relief. It actually works like a moisturizer to sooth and hydrate dry and itchy skin. Many people put coconut oil on their cracked feet at night, covered by socks, to heal the skin.

Not only that, coconut oil is ideal for getting rid of bacteria in the mouth. Swishing a spoon of coconut oil around in your mouth can reduce the amount of bacteria you have, which reduces gum disease, tooth decay and plaque. It can also minimize inflamed gums. Another interesting use for coconut oil is for hair health. Putting coconut oil in the hair and massaging it into the scalp can help to reduce the amount of protein lost from your hair, making hair stronger, thicker and more lustrous. Coconut oil can also be used to get rid of stains on furniture and carpets. Just mix it with one part baking soda until it’s a paste-like texture, smear it onto the stain and then wipe it away after a few minutes.

Those who wear eye makeup know how difficult it can be to remove it safely. Waterproof makeup often doesn’t come off with conventional makeup remover. However, applying coconut oil to the eye lids and when wiping it off with a cotton pad actually takes the makeup off easily and gently. Coconut oil also makes for a great natural lip balm. It doesn’t even need to be mixed with any other ingredients. Just dab it onto your lips with your finger to add moisture and sun protection to your lips.

• When selecting which coconut oil to buy, be sure to pay attention to the label. For example, sometimes the product may be labelled virgin or extra virgin. In coconut oil, those terms mean pretty much the same thing, so don’t be fooled into paying extra for extra virgin coconut oil.
• Some coconut oil products may be labelled as organic, which means that the ingredients are grown without any chemical pesticides. To be sure, look for a USDA organic logo on the label to make sure it is actually certified organic. In addition, if you don’t want to buy a GMO product, look for the non-GMO seal on the label.
• Refined coconut oil is a popular and affordable variety. There are different ways to refine coconut oil, some of which include bleaching and deodorizing the coconut oil so that it doesn’t taste or smell like coconut at all. This gives it a high smoking temperature so that it is good for high-heat cooking. However, keep in mind that some refined coconut oils are processed using certain chemicals for filtration, making the product not a great choice for edible use. If you want a refined coconut oil that has a strong coconut taste, go with a product that states that it is creating using a wet-milling process.
• When it comes to packaging, opt for coconut oil that comes in glass containers. Coconut oil packaged in plastic isn’t always a good choice because toxins from the plastic can seep into the oil.
• Coconut oil typically has a long shelf life up to two years. Just make sure you keep it away from heat and sunlight, in a cool and dark place. Avoid setting it on the counter near a window or in a cupboard above the stove.