Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so yes, totally normal! It's highly saturated, like animal fats such as butter and lard, so it doesn't become liquid until it's heated. If you don't need much, just scoop out a little into a bowl and microwave it for a few seconds. Any you have leftover is great for dry skin.

I don't use lube, but I would think that any food grade oil is safe. If you're worried about solvents, go for cold pressed virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil should always just contain one ingredient -- coconut oil!

I haven't tried it, I don't know really need it nor do I kow if I can find it locally, but I hear it's normal, it comes as a solid and melts with heat (like with your fingers). I guess anything that you can eat, preferabls as unprocessed as possible would be fine. Just NOT a hair product, cosmetic form or something sweetened.

Edited at 2013-07-01 12:13 am (UTC)

I use it! It's solid at room temp in most places, melts with skin contact - you don't need to melt it for use, just scoop out a fingerful. Unless it's quite cold, it's usually fairly gel-like.

The scent and flavor will vary: minimally processed coconut oil will smell and taste like coconut, whereas the fractionated stuff is pretty odorless and tasteless. I like the taste, personally; it's just a matter of preference.

I've been known to melt mine together with some cocoa butter (not much), then let it re-harden. It doesn't raise the melt point much, and then I had chocolate-coconut scented lube. XD

Mmm, coconut oil. It's good for many things-- hair and skin care, plus lubricant and moisturizer. And you can bake with it!

So, yeah. Expeller-pressed, cold pressed, either will do-- but try to go for unrefined, virgin oil. The oil will smell of coconut and be solid at room temperature-- all you have to do is put some on your fingers or in your hand, and in seconds, the oil will go liquid and be usable wherever you wish.

Thank you all SO much for the info - I can't wait to buy and try some!

We were hard core coconut oil users over here for DD's behind. It's wonderful, natural, smells good, lasts a long time, and can be used for so many other things (although we kept one jar purely for diaper stuff!). As others have said, it is solid at room temperature but melts on skin contact due to warmth. If the jar gets heated (e.g. during travel) and resolidifies over and over again, it can get a little grainy but it's still perfectly good for use.

It is also a mild natural anti-fungal (good against yeast), safe for cloth diapering, doesn't stain, and makes redness on little bums go away by the next diaper change. Enjoy!

Thanks for mentioning that it gets grainy - I'll try to keep it at a consistent temperature.

The fact that it's a natural anti-fungal is a huge plus. After 30-something years without ever having a yeast infection, I used Astroglide for a weekend and got a terrible one. I have learned my lesson, and I'm never using stuff with glycerin again!

Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut oil is the shit for anal (Really, no pun intended). Just be careful using it with certain kinds of condoms. You can't use anything but water based lube with most condoms. Do your research before you oil up if you're using the front door ;)

Also great for skin and hair. I like to use it for lotion and conditioner after a shower. My 414 mL bottle cost be about $9 in the U.S.

Thanks for the recommendation! It looks like the Spectrum products are even available in some local stores, so I'll definitely check them out.

I'm checking back in to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for the great info! I bought the Spectrum variety as suggested, virgin and unrefined. This stuff rocks - as a lube and on the skin. Plus, it smells so darn good I'm tempted to just drink some every time I open the jar.

I'm also fascinated by how fast it becomes clear and liquid in my hand. What can I say - I'm easily amused.