9 Unusual Uses for natural Oils
Natural oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil etc are all “healthy fats” and in moderation can help reduce your risk for all sorts of ailments, like heart disease and high blood pressure. We know that olive oil and coconut oil are both healthy for our insides, but did you know they have all sorts of other uses for you, around the home, and even for pets?
Let’s take a look at some uses for some natural oils beyond the kitchen, and I’d love to hear your unusual uses for natural oils in the comments!
1. Make your own sugar scrub
You can use natural oils to create a moisturizing, exfoliating sugar scrub that’s great for soothing dry harmattan and winter skin. Just mix up sugar with enough natural oil to form a paste, add scent with your favorite essential oils, and you’re ready to rock. Massage the sugar scrub into your skin in the shower or bath.
2. Moisturize your hands and feet
To give those dry hands and feet some extra TLC this harmattan or winter, massage a small amount of natural oil into your skin after you take a bath or shower. Put on socks and gloves afterward to help that moisture absorb into your skin. You’ll notice results almost immediately!
3. Oiling your hair
Oiling your hair is a practice that’s been around for centuries. While some tutorials call for coconut oil to oil your hair, olive oil works just as well. Just put a few drops of olive oil onto your hands, massage into your scalp, then brush or comb to distribute the oil evenly. Let it sit for about an hour, then wash the excess oil away with your favorite non-toxic shampoo.
4. Unsticking a zipper
Ever gone to take off your boots, only to discover that the zipper is stuck? Free yourself by dabbing a bit of natural oil onto the zipper’s teeth to help it slide along smoothly. Remember: a little oil goes a long way.
5. Makeup remover
Store bought makeup removers and cold creams are often loaded with toxic mystery ingredients. You can skip the polysyllabic guessing game with olive oil instead. Use a warm, damp wash cloth or a cotton ball with a couple of drops of olive oil to remove makeup and moisturize your face at the same time.
6. Soothe a sunburn
You don’t want to put oil onto your skin the day that you notice a burn, but start moisturizing with a natural oil a day or two later to help prevent peeling and heal your damaged skin.
7. Treat a dry scalp
Forget the Head and Shoulders, which is full of mystery ingredients! Massage a small amount of coconut oil into your scalp to moisturize and fight those flakes.
8. Revitalize wood furniture
Whip up a mixture that’s 2 parts olive oil to 1 part lemon juice. Put a small amount of oil on a soft cloth, and wipe down your wood furniture. It will keep the wood from drying out and help hide small nicks and scratches.
9. Wash your face
Washing your face with oil may sound counter-intuitive, but many green beauty gurus swear by the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). Need some tips to get started?
I bet this only scratches the surface of natural oil’s many uses. How do you use oils when you’re not cooking with it? Let’s keep the ideas coming in the comments!
