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Coconut Oil for Beard: Benefits, Drawbacks and More
Taking care of your beard can be a daunting task. However, no matter how tiresome it can be, you still do it to make sure that you look great.
You also want to ensure that you are using the right products to improve your beard’s growth and health. There are so many products on the market; it can get confusing choosing one that will work best. Well, as far as beard oils go, coconut oil for beard hair is one of the best types of oil out there.
People have used coconut oil in their hair to soften it for ages. Many claim that coconut has many amazing benefits not only for your beard but also for your skin. Though there are some drawbacks to using coconut oil, the benefits it provides outweigh any disadvantages.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you need to know about coconut oil for beard hair care. We have included its benefits, drawbacks, and other important information so that you can decide for yourself whether using coconut oil is the best deal for you.
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is extracted — obviously — from whole coconuts. It is extracted using various methods. The extraction method also determines the form of coconut oil.
Pure coconut oil is liquid when above 78 degrees Fahrenheit, but it solidifies at lower temperatures.
The coconut oil used on beards generally comes in liquid form. This is achieved through a process called fractionation. Fractionated coconut oil is modified so that it stays liquid even at low temperatures. Producers achieve this by removing fatty acids from the coconut oil.
Coconut oil is both less expensive, and more natural oil than many commercially-sold beard oil products. As a matter of fact, there are beard care products that even use coconut oil as their carrier oil. So if you’re on a budget, why buy an expensive beard oil when you can just use coconut oil, right?
Coconut Oil for Beard and Its Amazing Benefits
Coconut oil is a wonderful skin softener and hair conditioner. It works wonders on dehydrated skin and brittle hair. You will enjoy many benefits when using this simple kitchen staple on your beard.
Stimulates Hair Growth
Though not scientifically proven, many believe that coconut oil can help stimulate your beard to grow better. But you will need to include coconut oil in your diet. Sounds crazy?
Well, let us explain. Your testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, is needed for beard growth. One way of helping your body produce more testosterone is to increase your consumption of healthy fats. That’s where coconut oil comes in. It is a healthy and natural source of fat.
As long as you consume it in moderate amounts, it can help with your beard growth. Do not eat too much coconut oil, though. You still need to remember that it is high-calorie and over-consuming might lead to fat gain. Fat converts testosterone to estrogen, and you wouldn’t want that.
Hydrates and Moisturizes the Skin and Hair
This is the most widely-known benefit of using coconut beard oil. It has nutritional properties that provide your skin and hair follicles with the vitamins and minerals that they need to fight off dryness. Since it is in oil form, it is absorbed by the skin quickly and works its miracles at the root of your beard.
Coconut oil also contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant that deeply moisturizes to give you softer and well-managed facial hair. As your skin becomes soft and healthy, your beard will grow in more evenly. It can also reduce razor bumps in the process.
Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties
You might not be aware of how many invisible germs live on your beard. Since your beard is exposed to the harsh elements of the world such as dirt, grime, and other pollutants, it traps bacteria and fungi inside too. Even food and drink spills can sometimes lead to irritation as well. So, you need some natural protection. This is where the antifungal and antibacterial properties of coconut oil come in to help achieve a healthy beard.
Prevents Itchiness and Beardruff
Itching and beardruff can be caused by dry skin. Coconut oil, being a superb moisturizer, helps get rid of this annoying problem. Along with Vitamin E, coconut oil also contains Vitamin K. These two vitamins work together to keep your skin and hair follicles healthy, preventing flaking and beardruff.
Increases Your Beard’s Natural Luster
Keeping your beard’s natural shine is important. A good shine indicates that your beard is healthy and well taken care of. This improves your physical appearance, which in turn will boost your self-confidence.
The Minor Drawbacks
Coconut oil offers many benefits for your beard and facial skin. However, there are a couple of downsides. Using coconut oil has some minor drawbacks that you need to be aware of.
Allergic Reaction
Though having an allergic reaction to coconut is extremely rare, it can still happen. Be sure to use coconut oil on a small part of your beard and face before slathering it on.
Acne
Coconut oil is a known comedogenic. This means that it can clog the pores of your skin, thereby leading to acne breakouts and blackhead problems. If you are prone to acne, especially around your beard area, you might reconsider using coconut oil.
More Tips on Using Coconut Oil for Beard Care
- Don’t overdo it. Apply only a small amount to your beard. Pea-size solid coconut oil or 3-5 drops of the liquid form is already enough to moisturize and hydrate your beard. However, if you have a long and thick beard, you can add the oil little by little until all areas of your beard have been fully covered.
- Apply coconut oil after cleaning and washing your beard. Washing opens up your pores and removes other impurities that might prevent the oil from getting absorbed into the skin.
- Massage the coconut oil into your skin. Massaging the skin supports better absorption of the oil and maximizes its nutrients. Start by massaging the skin underneath and work your way up to the beard tips.
- Use raw virgin coconut oil. This kind of oil is processed from fresh coconut meat instead of the dried coconut meat of refined coconut oil. Using a raw virgin coconut oil that is cold-pressed guarantees that there are fewer additives. You get the coconut oil as close to its natural form as possible.
- Try mixing in other oils. You can add other oils to your coconut oil to get more amazing benefits. You can add 1-2 drops of jojoba oil or argan oil to your coconut oil before applying. Each of the oils has its own unique attributes that are healthy for your beard.
Final Thoughts
Coconut oil is worth a try for beard enthusiasts. It provides the same benefits as commercially-sold beard oil, but it is less expensive and more natural to use. If you have some coconut oil in your kitchen, why not give it a try?