Is it just us or does it seem like a new beauty product comes out at least once a week? Although many of them claim to be hypoallergenic and super-affordable, chances are, you already have something in your kitchen that can rival most of them. By a long shot.

And what would that be? A jar of virgin coconut oil.

Give us five minutes of your time and we’ll explain how.                                                            

Toothpaste. There are bacteria-fighting properties that make coconut oil the perfect toothpaste alternative. Also, coconut oil contains no harsh chemicals or foaming properties that can damage your enamel. All you need to do is mix a half teaspoon of it with a couple of sprinkles of baking soda and a drop of peppermint oil for taste. Your teeth will be squeaky clean and cavity-free!

Oil Pulling. Speaking of oral health, how about using it for oil pulling too? Put a teaspoon or two in your mouth for 20 minutes, at least three times a week. It will literally pull out the toxins in your teeth and gums that can lead to tooth decay (read more about that here).

Shaving. Want silky smooth legs but you don’t have any shaving cream around? Or perhaps your underarms are super-sensitive and the chemicals in your favorite brand of cream irritates them. You don’t need it! Rub some coconut oil in between your palms to melt it, then rub the liquid onto your legs or arms. You’ll get a close shave, and the Vitamin E in the oil can help to fade any discoloration or scarring you may have.

Removing Make-up. Some commercial make-up removers contain so many chemicals that they can ultimately do more harm than good. Forget about those and use some coconut oil to remove your make-up instead. Not only does it contain anti-aging properties, but coconut oil also strengthens the connective tissues in your skin to reduce sagging.

Hair Conditioner. Three other things that coconut oil contains is lauric, caprylic, or capric acid; these have some very unique disinfectant properties in them. Good to know if your scalp is irritated or you have dandruff. Coconut oil is also able to dissolve quickly into your scalp and hair, making it an awesome hair conditioner for virtually every hair type. Two teaspoons of it, combined with one teaspoon of jojoba oil and a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil mixed in a bowl and you’re all set. (For a deep-conditioning treatment, put on a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse in cool water.)

Energizer. Are you someone who can’t imagine starting your day without a cup of java? Go one week with a teaspoon of coconut oil instead. Another health benefit of coconut oil is it contains saturated fats known as medium-chain triglycerides. They help to boost your metabolism and rev of up your energy levels. If the thought of eating coconut oil straight out of the jar freaks you out, no problem. Add it to your smoothie. You’ll get the same benefits.

Cooking. Since coconut oil is considered to be one of the healthiest foods there is (one that’s loaded with tons of healthy fats that can do everything from lower blood pressure and reduce bodily inflammation to boost your immunity and brain function), ditch your vegetable oil (which isn’t good for you anyway) and cook with it instead. You’ll put on less pounds and it can make your meals taste lighter. You can even put a teaspoon in one of your smoothies to help you to build muscle while losing body fat. Pretty cool, right? Eat up!

But is it good for me? Coconut oil caused some controversy recently, must have been a slow news week… so if you are questioning this superfood I’d urge you to watch this clip by JP Spears. We’re not giving up coconut oil for anyone!