I Tried 8 Coconut Oil Hacks and Here's What They Came Out

When it comes to my beauty regimen, there are few things I'm more into than coconut oil. Seriously, I use it for everything. So when I was asked to try some of the most popular coconut oil beauty hacks, I jumped at the opportunity. Ahead, I'll share a roundup of eight coconut oil beauty hacks — some of which I already use in my daily life, and others I've tried for the first time — that I've tried in lieu of some of my everyday skincare and beauty products. Spoiler: some of them were complete failures.

LIKE #1: USE COCONUT OIL AS A CLEANSER.

I'm a big fan of Korean double cleansing and I already use an oil based cleanser in my daily skincare, so I was excited to try this skincare hack. To use coconut oil as a cleanser, take a small amount of oil in your hands and rub them together to melt the oil. Apply melted butter to dry skin in circular motions from bottom to top for about 30 seconds. Then wet your hands with warm water and continue to massage the skin in circular motions from bottom to top for another 30 seconds - the oil will emulsify. Rinse your skin with warm water and follow with a water-based cleanser.

After-thought: Even though my seasonally dry skin felt super hydrated after cleansing and my makeup came off in just a few swipes, coconut oil is much heavier than my oil-based cleanser, so I had a hard time getting the oil off my face. I think I'll stick with store-bought cleansing oil. 

LIKE #2: USE COCONUT OIL AS A NIGHT CREAM

This coconut oil beauty hack is the most familiar to me since I switched my night cream to coconut oil about 6 months ago. I have normal to dry skin so coconut oil absorbs quickly into my parched skin and leaves my face and neck silky smooth. To use coconut oil as a night cream, apply a dime-sized amount of melted butter to your face and décolleté.

After reflection: I am a big fan of this product, however there are a few things to keep in mind when using coconut oil as a night cream. First, make sure you start with a small amount and add more as needed, too much oil can lead to residue and we don't want that! Second, let the oil soak into the skin before throwing it on the hay so it doesn't rub off the pillowcase.

LIKE #3: USE COCONUT OIL AS A BATH

Add ½ cup of melted coconut oil to your bath to provide extra nourishment to your skin while you soak. For an even more relaxing experience, try adding some aromatherapy essential oils and Epsom salts to your bath!

After Thoughts: While my skin always feels silky and smooth after taking a coconut oil bath, the oil can be bad news for your plumbing as it hardens at low temperatures and can clog your pipes. If this bothers you, I recommend applying the oil to your skin immediately after soaking instead.

LIKE #4: USE COCONUT OIL INSTEAD OF BODY LOTION

Using coconut oil as a body lotion can provide your skin with hydrating nourishment and make your skin look hydrated and radiant. After showering, apply melted coconut oil all over your body in circular motions from bottom to top.

After reflection: This is another coconut oil beauty hack that I use regularly, however I have noticed that it absorbs faster when applied immediately after a shower or bath.

LIKE #5: USE COCONUT OIL AS A CUTICLE CREAM

Using coconut oil as a cuticle cream can be a great way to hydrate your cuticles in a pinch. 

After some thought: this one definitely lives up to the hype! Not only did my cuticles feel hydrated throughout the day, they also looked great!

LIKE #6: USE COCONUT OIL TO REMOVE LIP SPOTS

Removing blemishes on the lips can be difficult, which is why they are called blemishes. The good news is that you can easily remove them with coconut oil.

After some thought: I tried this coconut oil beauty hack twice and it turned out great both times! The only problem was that I did not exfoliate my lips before applying lipstick, so some of the pigment stuck to the dry areas of the lips. To remove color from these areas (and buff dry skin), I made an impromptu lip scrub with coconut oil and brown sugar.

LIKE #7: USE COCONUT OIL AS A HEAD MASK

I always apply a small amount of coconut oil to the ends of my hair after washing, so I had high hopes for this deep conditioning beauty hack. To use coconut oil as a scalp mask, simply massage a small amount of oil into your scalp, cover your head with a disposable shower cap, and leave it on for at least an hour (or overnight).

After reflection: this one was a huge disappointment. I was hoping for a moisturized scalp and silky smooth strands, and all I got was oil-soaked hair and roots that made me feel dirty and rough. If you're going to try this, I recommend using a SMALL amount of oil and rinsing well with a clarifying shampoo.

LIKE #8: USE COCONUT OIL AS A HIGHLIGHTER

If you have normal dry skin (like me), you can use coconut oil to brighten your complexion and improve your cheekbones during the dry fall and winter months. To do this, simply apply a small amount of oil to the top of the cheekbones.

After thoughts: I love this look! You can use the oil on its own for a natural glow, or apply the color on the lower part of the face for extra color.