I’ve always kept coconut oil in my pantry. But it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I realized how much I could actually do with it.
I was still in the mindset so many of us are in. That everything requires its own product. One oil for cooking, another for baking, something separate for skin, something else for hair. Even when I was choosing cleaner options, I was still caught in the cycle of buying more and spending more.
When I started focusing on simplifying, coconut oil was one of the first ingredients that changed things for me. I began using it more intentionally and it ended up replacing other oils and several beauty products I had been buying separately.
How I Use It
1. Baking and Cooking
One of the shifts I’ve made in my kitchen is simplifying the oils I keep on hand. Now I really only use three: olive oil, coconut oil, and sesame oil.
Coconut oil has become my go-to for baking. I use it as a substitute in place of seed oils in all of my recipes. When I stopped buying multiple oils, I naturally started using what I already had and swapping it in on recipes. That small shift simplified everything. For example I now use it to make popcorn and I promise you can’t taste it.
One of my favorite ways to use coconut oil is in homemade banana muffins. This is usually my go-to recipe whenever I have extra bananas sitting on the counter.
I change them up constantly depending on what I have that week: dark chocolate chips, white chocolate, walnuts, or a mix of both.
2. Makeup Remover
I used to rely on disposable wipes, but they were expensive and always irritated my skin. A small amount of coconut oil has been so much gentler, and it simplified my routine in a way that feels more sustainable too.
3. Simple Moisturizer
Moisturizer is one area where I’m still figuring things out. I’ve looked for cleaner options but haven’t found one that fits both my standards and my budget. For now, coconut oil works well for my body and has replaced another product I used to buy.
I’d love to eventually make my own lotion, but that’s a step I haven’t taken yet. For now, this works and that’s enough.
4. Hair and Scalp Care
This has been one of the biggest changes. I use coconut oil as the base for my scalp and body scrubs and even my lip scrub. I could never find a scrub that wasn’t overly scented or too drying, and coconut oil completely changed that. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized and not stripped. A much gentler way to take care of my hair and scalp.
Why It Simplifies My Home
Before this shift I had a different product for everything. Even when I thought I was making better choices, it still felt overwhelming.
Now I focus on having fewer things that do more. Coconut oil is one of those ingredients. It reduces what I buy, simplifies decision-making, and makes my routines feel more natural and manageable overall.
Start With One Jar
You don’t need to change everything at once. Start with one jar, use it in a few different ways, get comfortable with it, and let it replace what no longer feels necessary. That’s how this builds, slowly and intentionally, in a way that actually lasts.
If you’re looking to simplify other areas of your routine, I’ve also shared how I use honey, vinegar, and olive oil in similar ways throughout my home.
Disclaimer: Natural ingredients can affect everyone differently. Always patch test first and use ingredients carefully, especially if you have allergies, sensitivities, or specific health concerns.
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