Coconut Oil Recipes and Uses

If you’re living an oily life, carrier oils are likely a huge part of your day. Most people have a favorite or a tried and true carrier oil that works best with their bodies and skin. Coconut oil is a fantastic carrier oil to use when diluting essential oils for topical use. It’s also a great choice to add to household, beauty, and kitchen recipes. We are excited to share some of our best coconut oil recipes and uses.

Coconut oil is the first carrier oil I ever used when I began using essential oils. I kept a huge jar of solid coconut oil next to my bed at all times. I would scoop out a tablespoon or so into my hands, then add a few drops of essential oils with no rhyme or reason. Oops.

This was a terrible method since I would sometimes get confused with which jar was my kitchen coconut oil, and which one was for my bedroom. Not a great system. Lesson learned. I have since branched out to other carrier oils, but coconut oil still remains my favorite.

Read about some of our other oily mishaps here and 15 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Using Essential Oils.

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is derived from the fruit of a coconut tree. It has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that make it perfect for the skin. The consistency is light and non-greasy. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and other medium-chain fatty acids.

Ideally, coconut oil should be virgin, unrefined, and free of any fillers or additives. There are two types of coconut oil: Fractionated and Solid Coconut Oil.

Fractionated Coconut Oil

Liquid at room temperature
Clear and nearly odorless
Extended shelf life
Absorbs easily into the skin, non-greasy
Perfect for making your own roller ball recipes

Coconut Oil

Solid at room temperature
White in color
Strong coconut aroma
Light, fluffy and non-greasy formula
Perfect for making balms and creams

Dilution Guidelines

For topical essential oils, dilution recommendations are always listed on the label. Using oils with children will require additional dilution with quality carrier oils.

Here are some guidelines that may help:

For babies (age 0 – 1), increase the recommended carrier oil by 8 times. So if the dilution on the label calls for 1 drop to be diluted in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil then for babies you would dilute 1 drop of essential oil in 8 teaspoons of carrier oil. If there is no dilution ratio on the label, then dilute 1 drop of essential oil with at least 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
For toddlers and young children (age 2 – 6), increase the recommended carrier oil by 4 times. For example, if the recommended labeled dilution is 1 drop of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, then you would dilute 1 drop of essential oil in 4 teaspoons of carrier oil. If no dilution is listed on the label, then dilute 1 drop of essential oil with 1 1/2 teaspoons of carrier oil.
For elementary children (ages 7 – 11), increase the recommended carrier oil by 2 times. For example, if the label recommends diluting 1 drop of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, then increase the carrier oil to 2 teaspoons per 1 drop of essential oil. If no dilution is listed on the label, then dilute 1 drop of essential oil with at least 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.

Make Your Own Roller Blends with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is our preferred carrier oil for making essential oil roller blends. It is so easy to customize a blend to meet your health and wellness needs.

The ratio for a 10ml roller bottle is 2 teaspoons coconut oil, to 10-15 drops of essential oils.

Be sure to use the dilution guidelines above if using a roller blend on children or babies.

Ingredients

cute 10ml roller bottle
2 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil
10-15 drops essential oil(s) of your choice
waterproof label

Directions

Combine the coconut oil and essential oils in the roller bottle.
Insert the roller attachment and lid.
Label with a waterproof label.
Store away from the reach of young children.

See all of our roller blend recipes here.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes and uses for Coconut Oil

Stay tuned for more essential oil carrier oil recommendations coming soon.

Some of these recipes are included in our eBook, Essential Oil Recipes for Healthy Hair & Skin, along with more than 60 other tried & true recipes that we’ve created, tested, and personally use. Click HERE to see more information and purchase your digital copy today!