Coconut Oil as a Moisturizer?

May 19, 2016

Kat R.

Good morning! Does coconut oil actually make a good moisturizer, or is it just a temporary fix? On your face, will it clog pores and cause acne? What about sweet almond oil?
Thank you so much and have a great day!!

May 19, 2016

Ariana G.

Sweet almond oil and coconut oil are both awesome moisturzers for the body :) They can also be used on thr face but some people can be sensitive to sweet almond oil and coconut oil and it could cause acne. If you use it on your face only use a couple drops.

May 19, 2016

Alexis C.

Coconut oil can clog your pores so just because it works for some people doesn't mean it'll work for everyone. I don't know about sweet almond oil. In my personal opinion, I would rather buy an actual moisturizer from the store.

May 19, 2016

appi A.

For some people yes it clog pores..

May 19, 2016

Sarah O.

Yes I have heard that coconut oil can clog pores and cause acne. I suggest just getting a moisturizer from the store rather than use the oils.

May 19, 2016

Vickie P.

I don't believe coconut oil is a moisturizer per se. What it does it actually just seal in moisture. So if you applied a regular moisturizer and the coconut oil it will seal the moisture in so your skin doesn't become dry. On its own for the entire body it make work as a regular moisturize but I think it depends on your skin type.

May 19, 2016

Livi H.

Sweet almond oil is a great moisturizer. When I need additional hydration I apply a little bit of sweet almond oil on face and body. I don't use it as my ONLY Moisturizer though

May 19, 2016

Shengmin L.

Yes it can be used as moisturizer. I use it as makeup remover too. It doesn't clog me at all because I have dry skin.

May 19, 2016

Rachel M.

My friend uses coconut oil on everything! Her babies dry knees? coconut oil. Her damaged hair? coconut oil. Dry skin? coconut oil. Boyfriend being an idiot? Coconut oil.

May 19, 2016

Kat R.

@Rachel M, I LOVE that comment XD
@Vickie P, that's what I'm worried about, that it's a sealant (like vasaline) and not an actual moisturizing agent.

Thank you all for your responses!

May 19, 2016

Kat H.

You can use it as a moisturizer - just use a tiny dab to cover your entire face as it is oil, and too much can make your face really greasy and you'll be working it in for quite awhile! IMPORTANT: You have to use the organic extra virgin coconut oil; regular coconut oil is comedogenic (which means it clogs pores and, by doing so, creates acne).

May 19, 2016

Livi H.

Coconut oil is not a sealant. It has properties it's beneficial to skin and has many fatty acids that the skin can absorb, it can heal Rashes kill bacteria and fungi BUT for skin that is prone to breakouts it can clog pores. I don't use it on my face anymore but I still use it for body. I prefer sweet almond oil for face though.

May 19, 2016

Aurora S.

Moisturizer=a lotion or cream that prevents dryness.
Moisture= water

Some moisturizers have just water and humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid which get water from the air and bring it to the surface of the skin or from beneath the skin and brings it to the surface. The downside is that the water can dry out or evaporate so these types have to be reapplied

Other moisturizers are just water and emollients. Emollients are pretty much just oils that work by "locking in" the water to keep skin hydrated and conditions it. Some oils have beneficial aspects to them. These types can sometimes feel a bit heavy and leave a greasy feel if there's too much emollients in it.
The plus side is that they don't have to be reapplied a much.

Dermatologists recommend a moisturizer with both that way you can have the humectant bring water to the surface of the skin and the emollients will keep it from evaporating.

Now, the reason why people use oil by themselves is because of the added stuff like preservatives and fillers/thickener, emulsifiers and/or fragrance.
Some people have issues with some of those things due to them not being so good for you from certain studies.

Now, coconut oil is an emollient. Keep in mind, I've read it has a 4 out of 5 (I believe) of it being able to cause breakouts.
BUT it does do quite well since it is quite lightweight and doesn't give that greasy feel compared to some other oils.
The trick is to make sure you apply it to slightly damp skin to "lock in" that moisture.
I know people use it on dry skin and it will soften the skin but it's not moisturizing which is why some people will notice their skin is more dry or it feels tight/dehydrated even with the oil on

If you're wanting to try other oils, I quite like avocado oil or olive oil.
I haven't really tried much almond oil though.

May 19, 2016

Jamie D.

Hey Kat! I don't have any personal experience with oils, but I do know that while coconut oil works brilliantly for some people, it can cause breakouts for others. Almond oil is a bit less likely to cause breakouts from what I understand, but it still will for people as well.

Kitty K. the moderator on here is super knowledgeable about skincare and oils! I know she recommends rose-hip oil and squalene (which is derived from olive oil) oil. But that's about all I know about them lol, so you could do some of your own googling about them or ask her on her page! I believe she has a blog post about them as well :)

May 20, 2016

Hannah E.

Coconut oil was horrible for my skin. It clogged my pores and I broke out all over my face.

May 20, 2016

Chelle W.

Oils are sealants, not moisturizers. They seal in moisture so that you don't have to worry about dry skin or hair later. Coconut oil definitely does wonders, but I use it after my lotion. And I don't use any oil on my face unless it's 1. at night and 2. very little. You don't want to over do it and clog your pores.