Are you using coconut oil, only to find your skin is dry, your hair crunchy, or your scalp is itchy? You’re not alone!
Years ago, during my Teeny Weeny Afro Stage, coconut oil was the must-have ingredient. Everyone was posting about coconut oil this, coconut oil that. Man listen, I went all in—and the result was frustrating: dry, crunchy hair, an itchy scalp, and scaly-looking legs.
There’s a simple reason this happens, and thankfully, an easy fix! Let’s get to the root of the problem and learn how to get the most out of this popular ingredient.
What Coconut Oil Actually Does for Skin and Hair
To understand the solution, we need to understand the role of coconut oil in a routine. In skincare, it plays two primary roles:
Occlusive: It forms a physical, protective layer on the skin or hair surface to prevent moisture loss. Think of it like a raincoat.
Emollient: It smooths and softens the outer layer of the skin (the barrier) to improve its texture.
Main Point of Confusion: Coconut oil is primarily a sealant; it is not a humectant (it does not draw water to your skin or hair). Unlike Glycerin, Aloe Vera Gel or Honey, it doesn’t primarily add moisture. It keeps moisture in.
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The Problem: Sealing In the Wrong Thing
Since coconut oil is a sealant, it works by trapping whatever is already on your skin or hair.
If your skin/hair is already dry when you apply it, you are simply sealing in the dryness. This prevents your skin from absorbing moisture from the air or any subsequent products, leaving you feeling tight and scaly.
If your skin/hair is damp and moisturized when you apply it, you are successfully sealing in that beneficial moisture, leaving you soft and supple.
The Simple Fix: Two Quick Steps
The solution is to ensure your skin and hair are moisturized first, and then seal.
1. Use it on Damp Skin or Hair
This is the most critical step. Instead of applying coconut oil straight out of the jar to your dry body, apply it immediately after you shower or wash your hair, while your skin and hair are still damp. The water provides the moisture, and the coconut oil seals it in.
2. Combine with a Humectant or Moisturizer
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To truly boost moisture, combine your sealant with an ingredient that draws water to the skin (a humectant) or one that is highly moisturizing (a richer emollient/butter).
Apply a water-based moisturizer or lotion first, and then use a small amount of coconut oil as the final step to lock it all in.
Create a custom blend: Melt your coconut oil and mix it with a little vegetable glycerin or honey, and highly emollient carrier oil or butter, such as Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil (a liquid wax), or Mango/Shea Butter.
🚨 A Note on Skin Sensitivity and Allergy
Finally, while generally considered mild, it is possible for some people to be sensitive or allergic to coconut oil. It is also considered highly comedogenic for many, meaning it can clog pores on the face and body.
Always do a patch test before applying any new ingredient liberally.
Stop use immediately and consult a physician if you experience unusual dryness, itchiness, a rash, redness, or irritation. What works for some might not work for you!
Ready for Your Next Step?
If a multi-step routine isn’t your thing, we’ve done the work for you! Our products are formulated to be complete moisture solutions. Shop Hazel’s Soapery for products that provide nourishing moisture and a perfect seal, like our Luxurious Lotions, Salves, and Whipped Splendor Body Butters.
Remember to drink your water! Hydration from the inside out is the ultimate complement to any skin care regimen.
Your jar of coconut oil didn’t fail you—it just not always being used the best way.
I hope this helps! Feel free to leave your questions in the comments and subscribe to Hazel’s Soapery so you don’t miss out on future blog posts, DIYs, and a special promo code for 15% off your first order.
Tired of cleansers that strip your skin and leave mature or sensitive skin feeling tight? Finding a face cleansing bar that meets your skin care needs is finally easy—thanks to Hazel’s Soapery. Where we have created two bars specifically for you. Read on to learn about Face Cleansing Bars For Maturing & Sensitive Skin: Divine and Luminosity
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