It's an excellent way to combat dry skin, both inside and out and you will not gain weight from eating coconut oil. In fact quite the opposite and it's the good fat even though it's saturated. I limit myself to 3 TBLS per day for internal use. Whether I add it to prepared foods or eat it right from the jar. It's excellent to massage into the scalp and run it to the ends of your hair leave on for approximately 15 mins., then wash out with mild, preferably natural shampoo. I also use it for an all over body moisturizer, including face. It's not greasy if you rub it in thoroughly. BESURE to buy organic, cold or first pressed, virgin, UNREFINED only. The taste is completely different if refined and obviously less nutritious. For additional info, there are lots of websites devoted to coconut oil and you can find several books devoted to it as well. Hope this helps.