Coconut Oil: The Benefits, the Faults, and Everything in Between

What’s all the rave with coconut oil? It seems that within the last couple of years, coconut oil has become the poster child for all things skincare. From DIY to natural to organic skincare, you can’t peruse beauty products without seeing it listed on the ingredients lists in many of them.

With coconut oil's prominence rising, it makes sense that some absolutely love it, and others would rather it disappear from shelves. Why does something so natural spark such a divided opinion? Let’s talk about it.

What Is Coconut Oil and Why Is It So Popular in Skincare?

It’s no secret that coconut oil has been around for a long time. This aromatic oil can be traced back thousands of years in tropical regions, such as South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, due to its moisturizing benefits and antibacterial properties. So it makes sense why we haven’t moved on from coconut oil—our ancestors loved it for good reason.

Coconut oil is sourced from the meat of mature coconuts and is rich in fatty acids. Specifically, lauric acid makes up for nearly 50% of its contents. But why does that matter? Lauric acid is what gives coconut oil its antibacterial properties, meaning those who struggle with inflammatory acne benefit from using coconut oil. Combined with its well known moisturizing properties, it's no wonder why beauty brands love to use coconut oil in their product formulations. From removing stubborn mascara to reviving dry hair, coconut oil is simply unmatched.

Why People Swear by It

Countless people simply can’t get enough of coconut oil. When it can meet so many of our daily needs, there’s no reason to look elsewhere. Here’s why those who love it really, really love it:

• It offers deep hydration. Dry skin and lips are quenched with even just a little coconut oil.
• It’s a gentle makeup remover. Too many makeup removers strip our natural oils and disrupt our skin barrier. Coconut oil would never.
• Natural alternative to synthetic ingredients. In a world full of toxic ingredients, coconut oil is a safe choice.
• It won’t break the bank. Your skin will feel better, and your wallet will too.
• It’s minimalist and eco-friendly. Choosing coconut oil is to be eco-conscious. And its simplicity makes for a perfect addition to a minimalist skincare routine.

…and Then There Are Those Who Hate It

With all these benefits, you’d think everyone would love coconut oil, right? Despite all the success stories, there’s still bound to be a few horror stories that leave some feeling victimized by coconut oil. Because let’s face it—not every beauty product will work for every person. So, let’s dive into why coconut oil might have some swearing off on it.

First, it’s highly comedogenic. Coconut oil isn’t made for all skin types. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, coconut oil will likely make your skin concerns worse. Yes, we mentioned it can help with inflammatory acne, but skin that’s prone to standard blemishes may not get the same results.

There’s also the issue with improper use. With so many coconut oil hacks and trends, DIY skincare may make some feel like coconut oil isn’t working for them. For example, coconut oil should never be used under makeup. Considering that coconut oil is frequently used to take makeup off, trying to wear it underneath a full face will have your makeup running before lunch. Then, some have tried to replace their sunscreen with coconut oil despite no scientific evidence stating so. Cue the gnarly sunburns and the disdain for coconut oil.

Using Coconut Oil Mindfully

Coconut oil can be a miracle product…but it can also potentially be a letdown. Use these tips to guide you to a happy coconut oil experience:

• Your skin type matters. It’s better for dry or mature skin, but not for oily/acne-prone skin.
• The body and lips love it. You’ll see more benefits of coconut oil when you use it for your body and lips rather than facial care.
• Look for virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil for purity.
• Patch test before full use. It’s never a bad idea to see how your skin reacts to a new product.

How We Use Coconut Oil and Why

Here at Henné, we put extra care into every ingredient that goes into our products. Our organic mantra puts your health first while keeping your products effective. That’s why we’ve decided to use organic unrefined coconut oil in our lip products: Luxury Lip Balm, Lip Exfoliators, and Luxury Lip Tints.

We use coconut oil in these three for its moisturizing properties and to help the product glide with ease. Lips tend to love coconut oil, unlike our faces, where breakouts and clogged pores are more likely to appear. We’re confident in its ability to give you a beautiful smile without irritating your skin.

Alternatives to Coconut Oil in Organic Skincare

If coconut oil just isn’t for you, there are still options to give you healthy skin while still using clean, natural ingredients. Jojoba oil is closest to our skin’s natural sebum, which makes it an excellent choice. If you want something non-comedogenic and rich in vitamin E, Argan oil is another option. And rosehip seed oil is great for acne-prone and scar-prone skin.

Nature Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s perfect for everyone. Coconut oil can be both a holy grail and a skincare saboteur, depending on how you use it. The key is to stay informed, listen to what your skin tells you, and use ingredients intentionally. Whether you love it or hate it, don’t be afraid to tweak your routine to meet your needs. The clean beauty world will always have space for you.