This paper reviews recent progress and applications of usage of cutting fluids in conventional machining processes. In addition to reviewing the various conventional and advanced cooling techniques during machining, the paper also discusses the use of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) in several types on metals such as steel, aluminum, alloy, and titanium alloys. Due to the toxicity of conventional cutting fluid resulting in ecological problems, the demand for environmentally friendly cutting fluid is rising. Therefore, natural vegetable oil is chosen as potential replacement as an environmentally friendly cutting fluid which fulfills the important aspects of biodegradability and sustainability. Application of vegetable oil-based cutting fluids under MQL techniques are also discussed. Moreover, the potential of palm oil as biodegradable and environmentally friendly natural vegetable oil-based metal-working fluids in MQL are reviewed.