Seven Coconut Oils That'll Make Skin Look Pleasingly Soft

Seven Coconut Oils That'll Make Skin Look Pleasingly Soft

Coconut oil is a heavenly blessing for dehydrated, parched skin. It works wonders with a hearty dose of fatty acids that nourish the skin and provide anti-inflammatory, germ-fighting benefits. If that's not enticing enough, it also seals in moisture to keep your glow shining.

Question is, should you drench your dermis in this magical elixir day in and day out? Maybe, but it largely depends on what your skin craves.

Let's dig into our top 7 coconut oil products to help you make up your mind.

The Cream of the Crop: 7 Best Coconut Oil Products for Skin

1. Let it Exfoliate: Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Exfoliating Body Scrub
2. Makeup Be Gone: Burt's Bees Natural Facial Cleansing Oil
3. Hydrate the Thirsty: Sports Research Fractionated Coconut Oil
4. Glow like a Goddess: cocokind Facial Repair Oil
5. Lightweight Luxury: e.l.f. Hydrating Coconut Mist
6. Travel-Friendly: Conscious Coconut Coconut Oil
7. Soothe that Sunburn: Burt's Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

How we picked the best coconut oils for skin

Herbivore Rose Exfoliating Scrub

Here's our secret sauce: werummaged through user reviews to find the sweet spots (upsides) and thorny issues (red flags) worthy of your attention. Being mild-mannered, we opted for cold-processed coconut oil, as opposed to the heat-extracted alternative, which can chase away those crucial antioxidants. We also kept a weather eye on price points, as there's no need to splurge on fancy packaging when the product itself is crackerjack. We also gave extra points for dermatologist approval, organics, and keeping bunnies far, far away from cruel testing.

Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil

Pricing Guide

Sports Research Fractionated Coconut Oil

• $$ = under $10
• $$$ = $10-$20

cocokind Facial Repair Oil

Now, let's sink our teeth into these tempting coconut oil goodies!

e.l.f. Hydrating Coconut Mist

A Side-by-Side Comparison

Conscious Coconut Coconut Oil

| | | | | | | | || --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- || Coconut oils | Herbivore Rose Exfoliating Scrub | Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil | Sports Research Fractionated Coconut Oil | cocokind Facial Repair Oil | e.l.f. Hydrating Coconut Mist | Conscious Coconut Coconut Oil | Burt's Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother || Ingredients | virgin coconut oil, Moroccan rose, shea butter, pink clay | coconut oil and rosemary | 100% fractionated coconut oil | coconut oil and rosehip | coconut oil and vitamin E | 100% pure virgin coconut oil | coconut, aloe, and beeswax || Format | scrub | oil | oil | oil | mist | oil | lotion || Organic? | yes | no | yes | yes | no | yes | no || Vegan? | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes || Cruelty-free? | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |

Burt's Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

Best coconut oil for exfoliating:

Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Exfoliating Body Scrub

virgin coconut oil, Moroccan rose, shea butter, pink clay

• Price: $$$
• Added ingredients: Moroccan rose, pink clay, and shea butter
• Reputation: Luxury yet effective body scrub

coconut oil and rosemary

Say hello to your new best friend: this essential oil-infused scrub's rose petals and pink clay particles work in unison to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. At almost $40, it may seem steep, but folks with the driest of dry skin confirm that it leaves them with a stunning, silky-smooth glow.

100% fractionated coconut oil

As if that's not enough, Herbivore also takes care of the planet by eschewing synthetic ingredients and pledging to eliminate virgin plastic from their packaging by 2025.

coconut oil and rosehip

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coconut oil and vitamin E

Best coconut oil for removing makeup:

100% pure virgin coconut oil

Burt's Bees Natural Facial Cleansing Oil

coconut, aloe, and beeswax

• Price: $$
• Added ingredients: argan oil and rosemary
• Reputation: Effectively removes makeup with no oily residue

Burt's Bees has made a splash on our list once more with this fan-favorite product for washing away makeup. The blend of Argan and coconut oil does a fantastic job of lifting makeup, leaving only soft, clean skin behind. Dermatologist-approved and free from harsh chemicals, it's winning points all around! Just remember to tread carefully applying it near your eyes, as a few reviewers reported it stinging up a storm.

scrub

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oil

Best coconut oil for dry skin:

oil

Sports Research Fractionated Coconut Oil

oil

• Price: $$
• Added ingredients: 100% coconut oil with nothing added
• Reputation: Nourishes dry, damaged skin

mist

"Fractionated" may sound like a fancy term, but it's quite simple. This oil's been subjected to a special process, making it rapidly absorbent and less likely to block your pores – heaven-sent news for those with oily or acne-prone skin! Simultaneously, it delivers an ultra-rich, moisturizing touch to parched, neglected skin.

oil

Sports Research is allergen-friendly as their coconut oil is free from milk, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, soy, or gluten. They even earned a badge of honor by manufacturing their product in an upscale facility complying with cGMP, so you know you're getting the real deal.

lotion

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Best coconut oil for improving complexion:

yes

cocokind Facial Repair Oil

no

• Price: $$
• Added ingredients: vitamin E and organic rosehip oil packed with vitamin C
• Reputation: Moisturizes and brightens skin

yes

cocokind warrants a shoutout with their facial repair oil, which they claim can smooth, soften, and brighten skin while reducing dark circles and improving tone and texture. Don't just take their word for it, though; many reviewers sing its praises, attesting to improved skin tone and concealed blemishes after use.

yes

This oil boasts an alluring buttery scent and can be applied as a second step after using their texture-smoothing cream to lock in moisture. For the cherry on top, cocokind is USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified.

no

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yes

Best lightweight coconut oil:

no

e.l.f. Hydrating Coconut Mist

• Price: $
• Added ingredients: vitamin E and B, vitamin B5
• Reputation: Lightweight alternative to regular coconut oil

yes

e.l.f. takes the (virtual) cake with this glorious face and body mist, perfect for those who seek the goodness of coconut oil without the grease. Slather it on pre-makeup or as a refreshing spritz on a hot day, and enjoy its nourishing spray without any gloopiness in sight!

yes

Some fans revel in the light coconut smell, while others gripe that the fragrance is syrupy sweet. Overall, feedback has been largely positive!

yes

Shop now at e.l.f. Cosmetics

yes

Best coconut oil for travel:

yes

Conscious Coconut Coconut Oil

yes

• Price: $$
• Added ingredients: pure 100% organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil
• Reputation: TSA-approved, USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified

yes

Satisfy your love for adventure with this pocket-sized coconut oil, ideal for slipping into your suitcase whenever and wherever your travels take you. The small tube is TSA-compliant, and Conscious has miraculously managed to cram four times the usual amount of antioxidants into their oil. They also boast an impressive 48-hour "oil to tree" promise for their hand-pressed small-batch oil. On top of that, they promise this product can serve 20 different daily purposes, from soothing bug bites and rashes to moisturizing lips and cuticles – and even as a natural deodorant!

While many adore it, some reviewers lament that dispensing the oil can be tricky since it's solid at room temperature.

yes

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yes

Best coconut oil after sun:

yes

Burt's Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

yes

• Price: $
• Added ingredients: glycerin, beeswax, and aloe
• Reputation: #1 Dermatologist-recommended, no parabens or SLS

yes

With nearly 7,500 gushing reviews and a price tag under $10, there's not much to complain about this post-sun soothing lotion from Burt's Bees. It hydrates and soothes your skin as a quick-absorbing face and body lotion, imbuing your skin with the healing powers of coconut oil and aloe vera.

yes

Burt's Bees easily takes the crown as the top dermatologist-recommended natural skincare brand, promising responsibly-sourced ingredients and a firm stance against animal testing.

yes

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How to Use Coconut Oil for Skin

Alright, now that you've got your hands (or should I say eyes?) on one of these fabulous coconut oil products, it's time to learn how to add it into your skincare routine.

1. Storage Tip: Keep it tucked away in your cupboard like the mysterious beauty secret it is, away from high-moisture spots like the shower, where moisture could spoil your precious oil.
2. Portion Control: Don't go overboard – a half teaspoon's plenty for moisturizing your face. First, warm your oil by rubbing it between your hands until it feels silky and light. Then, gently smooth it onto your face and neck. If you're starting to dabble in using coconut oil, try applying it in the mornings and see how your skin reacts.

Possible Side Effects When Using Coconut Oil on Skin

1. Allergies: Don't be caught off guard by unexpected allergies – perform a patch test by applying a small amount to a discreet area of skin, such as the inside of your wrist or behind your ear.
2. Acne-Prone Skin: Watch your acne-prone skin like a hawk, as coconut oil might exacerbate its greasy nature.
3. Ingredients: Opt for oil that's been cold-pressed and free of preservatives and other chemicals, as added ingredients could have the opposite effect and wreak havoc on your skin.

Alternatives to Coconut Oil for Skin

If coconut oil refuses to play nice with your skin, consider one of these alternatives:

1. Olive Oil: Packed with antioxidants and oleic fatty acids, olive oil's moisturizing properties make it a fine stand-in for dry or elderly skin.
2. Argan Oil: Its high vitamin E content, combined with its lightweight and non-greasy nature, makes it a solid choice for many skin types.
3. Avocado Oil: Rich in oleic acids, nutrients, and vitamins A and E, avocado oil can provide a nourishing boost to lackluster skin.
4. Grapeseed Oil: Bringing omega-3s, vitamins D, C, and E to the table, grapeseed oil is a lightweight alternative ideal for oily skin.
5. Rosehip Oil: Craving a brighter complexion? Give rosehip oil a try, as it's jam-packed with vitamin A to moisturize your skin and reduce fine lines.
6. The Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Exfoliating Body Scrub contains virgin coconut oil, Moroccan rose, shea butter, and pink clay, making it a gentle and exfoliating product that nourishes and moisturizes skin.
7. The Burt's Bees Natural Facial Cleansing Oil, infused with rosemary essential oil, effectively removes makeup without leaving an oily residue and is dermatologist-approved.
8. The Sports Research Fractionated Coconut Oil is a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that is suitable for those with oily or acne-prone skin, as it is rapidly absorbent and less likely to clog pores.
9. The cocokind Facial Repair Oil, which contains vitamin E and organic rosehip oil, is a moisturizing and brightening product that can improve skin tone and conceal blemishes, according to numerous reviewers.

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