Why I Stopped Using Coconut Oil In My Skin Care Routine

In the last few years, coconut oil has been advertised as a cure-all. It’s said to be useful for creating shiny, healthy hair and a must for perfect, glowing skin. Just like everyone else, I started using coconut oil for everything. I would seal my hair with coconut oil, use it to remove my makeup, and as my everyday skin moisturizer. Slowly but surely I started to realize that it wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be.

Also check out:

Drugstore Face Masks

Best Sunscreen For Your Face

Get Rid of Dry, Chapped Lips

Why I Stopped Using Coconut Oil In My Skin Care Routine

Soon after I started incorporating coconut oil in my skincare routine, I started developing acne and a lot of blackheads. I’ve never had an issue with acne or blackheads before this. I also developed perioral dermatitis. I couldn’t figure out what was causing it. The only thing new in my routine was coconut oil. So I stopped using it cold turkey. Once I stopped, my skin issues slowly went away. Yes, I still get the occasional breakout, but nothing as bad as before.

After some research, I found out why it was causing me so many problems.

Coconut Oil Properties That Don’t Make It Ideal For Skin Care

Rich in Saturated Fats

Not Ideal for Oily Skin

Comedogenic(Potential to block pores causing blackheads and breakouts)

Can Aggravate Acne

Thicker Oil making it harder to absorb into skin

Potential to trap bacteria and dead skin under the skin

For My Hair

I didn’t only eliminate coconut oil from my skin care routine, I stopped putting it in my hair as well. It can cause the same problems on your scalp as it does on your face. And when I would sweat it would run down to my forehead.

Also Coconut oil becomes solid in colder temperatures, so obviously it would do the same thing in my hair. And no one wants to walk around with hard, stiff hair.

I do still use it to coat my hair before going swimming, in both the pool and ocean. Gives it a little extra protection.

Now I didn’t completely get rid of it in my life. Instead of using it topically, I tend to cook with it. It does have a lot of excellent benefits, such as its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

What do I use instead?

Since I stopped including coconut oil in my hair, I now use Argan Oil! It’s fantastic and leaves my hair incredibly soft. AGADIR Argan Oil Treatment is my favorite Argan oil at the moment.

Now my holy grail skin oil is Rose-Hip Oil! I do not go a day without applying this oil at the end of my skincare routine. I have one that I keep at home and one that I keep in my travel bag. Rose-hip oil does everything that they claim coconut oil is supposed to do! It moisturizes and brightens my skin. It’s my key to having radiant skin! trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil is my favorite brand.