Coconut Cure-All

Looking for a new eye makeup remover? Coconut oil.  Need some new tanning oil, but don't want to glitter like Edward Cullen? Just use coconut oil. Are you out of Burt's Bee's, and your lips are feeling a little chapped? Don't worry--you've got coconut oil. Coconut oil is the trendiest "cure-all" for everything under the sun. My friend, Meghan, is on team coco oil (she may even be the captain of this team), so I figured I'd see how she uses it and learn about it.

The primary way Meg uses coconut oil is as a makeup remover/face moisturizer. Meghan doesn't wear a ton of makeup anyway, so the coconut oil is the perfect natural remedy for removing that end-of-the-day eyeliner.

Meghan uses coconut oil as a lip balm, for moisturizer for her face and hair, and in small doses, as an additive to food. Honestly, I thought she used coconut oil for everything. But then I found out some people really use the oil for everything. In fact, another blogger has a list of 101 uses for it!

There's obviously a lot of hype about coconut oil. But does it stand up to the claims?

Here are the facts I've learned:
- When using coconut oil on skin, make sure to get unrefined or organic coconut oil. Refined coconut oil is more likely to clog pores.
- Smells very coconut-y. Tastes less coconut-y.
- Effectively removes eye makeup. (I tried it. Meg was right.)
- Scientists are still studying coconut oil to confirm its benefits, but this blogger has an extensive post concerning the research.

Meghan puts coconut oil in her coffee for a natural flavor additive. Loooooots of people (everyone on the internet, I think) have taken to cooking with coconut oil because it has a higher smoke point than other oils. Frankly, I have no clue why that matters, but here's a link to the Wikipedia article on smoke points.

Other fun facts about coconut oil:
- It melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Coincidentally, 76 degrees Fahrenheit is my favorite outdoor temperature.

Cya guys later; I'm gonna go bathe in coconut oil. I may or may not return as Wonder Woman.