There are several alternatives to shaving creams that can be used when shaving foam is not available. Coconut oil is very popular when shaving as it softens the hair and reduces friction. You can use it alone or with shaving foam to get rid of coarse, thick hairs with ease.
The oil makes shaving effortless by keeping the skin sufficiently moisturized. It is also cheap and can be used on almost all skin types. Do you also want to try shaving with coconut oil? Then let's talk about whether it is suitable for you.
- Part 1: Benefits of shaving with coconut oil
- Part 2: Does shaving with coconut oil make hair darker? Are there any side effects?
- Part 3: How to use coconut oil for shaving
- Part 4: Tips and considerations for shaving with coconut oil
- Part 5: Other uses of coconut oil in your shaving routine
- Part 6: Conclusion
Benefits of shaving with coconut oil
Smooth and moisturized skin
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids such as lauric, palmitic and linoleic acid. These acids act as a sealant and retain moisture in your skin. Since your skin is moisturized throughout the day, it also stays smooth and soft.
Natural gliding ability
You need a lubricant between the razor and the skin to prevent the blades from cutting into the skin. It also minimizes the risk of hair breakage and ingrown hairs. Coconut oil is the perfect lubricant because of its smooth texture.
Anti-inflammatory and soothing
Virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It works against inflammation and soothes your skin while shaving. This way, using coconut oil when shaving can be a pleasant and easy experience.
Reduces ingrown hairs and irritation
Dry shaving can be one of the reasons for the frequent occurrence of ingrown hairs. It also irritates your skin, making it red, dry and inflamed. To minimize ingrown hairs, you can use coconut oil while shaving. The oil softens the skin, reduces resistance and thus prevents irritation and ingrown hairs.
Does shaving with coconut oil make hair darker? Are there any side effects?
Coconut oil does not have any ingredients that can darken your hair color. It can sometimes appear darker because coconut oil adds shine to your skin. This shine creates an optical illusion that causes your hair to appear dark. So coconut oil cannot actually change your hair color.
However, there are some side effects of coconut oil that you should be aware of.
Skin irritation
Coconut oil can cause skin irritation in 3-7.2% of people who use it. The skin irritation causes redness, mild inflammation, and constant itching on your skin. Also, the coconut is a tree nut, so if you are allergic to nuts, the coconut oil can also cause allergic reactions on your skin.
Acne and pimples
Coconut oil is naturally comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and trap dirt, bacteria, and other impurities in your skin pores. This clogging leads to infections, pimples, and even acne on your skin.
Milia
Although coconut oil is good for the skin, its frequent use can lead to a skin condition called milia. These are yellow or white, dome-shaped bumps on your skin that usually appear in areas with thin skin, such as under the eyes, eyelids, or cheeks.
How to use coconut oil for shaving
Here are the simple steps to use coconut oil for shaving:
- First, you need to cleanse your skin with a gentle scrub or cleanser
- Now take some coconut in your hands and rub them together to liquefy the oil
- Apply it to the area to be shaved and wait a while for it to absorb well into the skin
- You can use a razor directly when removing thin or short hairs, and if you shave in an area with coarse hair, you can apply a shaving foam after the oil
- Remember to rinse your razor after each stroke, otherwise the oil can clog your razor
- Then clean the area with a warm towel or warm water and apply some oil again to moisturize the skin
Tips and considerations for shaving with coconut oil
Recommended use for different body parts
Coconut oil can be used on any part of the body, including the legs, pubic area, arms, back, chest and face. For larger areas such as the legs, chest or arms, you will need a larger amount, but you should not apply more than 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to one area.
Personal preferences and skin type
Another point to consider before using coconut oil for shaving is your personal preference and skin type. Coconut oil is not suitable for everyone. It is not suitable for people who are allergic to nuts or for people who are prone to blackheads.
Also, some people tend to have oily skin, especially on their face, so applying coconut oil to oily skin can make your pimples and acne worse.
Overcoming potential challenges
Coconut oil is great for shaving, but there are a few potential challenges you may encounter, so it's important to know them and have a solution to avoid cuts and injuries.
- Allergy : Coconut oil may cause an allergy, so you should do a patch test on a small area before applying the oil directly to the area to be shaved.
- Clogging your razor : Similar to other oils, coconut oil can build up on your razor. This increases friction and can chafe your skin. That's why you need to clean your razor with every stroke.
When you're finished shaving, clean and dry your razor properly before storing it and change your blades regularly.
- Clogging pores : Coconut oil can clog the skin and is bad for oily skin, so don't use more than the recommended amount.
Other uses of coconut oil in your shaving routine
Oil before shaving
You can use coconut oil as a pre-shave product to soften your hair and skin so that the blade glides smoothly over your skin. The oil moisturizes and lubricates your dry skin. It is an alternative to shaving foam and ensures that the blade glides smoothly.
Additionally, if you have coarse hair, you can use coconut oil before applying shaving cream to easily remove hair and avoid bumps and cuts.
Moisturizer after shaving
Shaving strips away your skin's outer protective barrier, making your skin more vulnerable to dryness, bacterial penetration, and irritation from small particles and dust.
To avoid this, you can use coconut oil as a post-shave moisturizer. This will help keep your skin hydrated and prevent redness, itching and inflammation after shaving.
Conclusion
Coconut oil, as well as coconut-based moisturizers and shaving creams containing coconut oil, can be a good alternative for shaving your skin. It is readily available, economical, and provides good lubrication for razor blades, allowing you to glide more safely over your skin and avoiding cuts.
Additionally, coconut oil can also be used to minimize skin dryness, redness and inflammation that typically occurs after shaving, resulting in healthier, glowing skin after shaving.
Since it can be used on all areas, you can try it as an effective alternative to shaving when proper shaving foam is not available or you run out of it.
Not only does it help with safe shaving, but it is also a moisturizer and a must-have for your skin care routine.
This way, you can do both skin care and hair removal with a single product, namely coconut oil. You can also try other shaving cream alternatives that we have presented in this article.
