Coconut Oil for Beard: Benefits Plus How to Use


Coconut Cil for Beard

People around the globe are going nuts about coconut oil. In the last decade, its popularity has surged to the point that it is now considered to be a ‘superfood’. But the question is, can coconut oil help your beard?

Coconut oil is good for your beard grooming. Coconut oil will penetrate your beard and skin beneath moisturize both beards and skin, soften, smoothen, fight dandruff, and beard lice. If you use heat styling or other chemicals in your beard, coconut oil protects your beard from damage and promotes the repair of damaged facial hair.

Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, meaning it can clog your pores. Do not apply too much of it to your skin, and more, so, if you have sensitive, oily acne-prone skin.

Coconut oil for beard

The love and obsession for coconut oil stretch through dietary uses for beauty purposes. It is incredibly multifunctional and suitable for use by all.

Even more fascinating is that men are now turning to it to help care for their beards.

There is no doubt you have heard of the numerous health and beauty benefits associated with using coconut oil.

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is not new. It has, in fact, been long in use across the world for a variety of functions. In India for example, it has been in use for over 5000 years as Ayurvedic medicine.

Southeast Asia accounts for about 85% of global coconut oil production with the Philippines and Indonesia being the main producers.

As the name suggests, coconut oil is a plant-based oil that is obtained from the kernel of coconut that is majorly grown in tropical countries. It is usually extracted through a dry or wet process, with the wet process being more popular. In the dry process, the flesh from the coconut, which is also known as copra is dried, and then dissolved with solvents to produce the oil.

The oil obtained in this process can, however, not be used for consumption. The wet process is similar to the dry process only that the flesh from the coconut is used whilst still fresh.

There are other processes used to extract the oil such as hydrogenation, fractionation, and Refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) process. Each method will produce oil with different properties and quality levels.

Coconut oil varieties

There are two main types of coconut oil you will find in the market and both are used in beard care.

Refined coconut oil

This is coconut oil that has been highly processed. The oil is either extracted through the use of chemicals or the physical processes that refined it.

The main methods used are hydrogenation and RBD processes. The coconuts to be used are dried through baking prior to extraction, and then the oil is bleached to get rid of microbes or any impurities.

The end result is a clear oil with little to no coconut scent or taste. Unrefined coconut can still be used on the beard although the processing methods strip it of valuable properties. It is however not unsuitable for consumption.

Virgin coconut oil

This is a raw form of coconut oil that bears more nutrients and undergoes little to no refinement process. The extraction process used preserves all the natural properties found in coconut, and this makes it better for beard care.

Virgin coconut oil retains the coconut scent and flavor. It is also referred to as organic coconut oil or even extra-virgin coconut oil. No heat or chemicals are usually used in its production.

Why use coconut oil for your beard?

Now that you know what coconut oil is and even how it is made, the big question is; why should you be using it on your beard?

Moisturizes and softens

Although beard growth is highly determined by genetic factors, you can still use a couple of tricks and practices to grow yourself a healthy, good-looking beard.

It has been observed that using coconut oil can promote healthy beard growth by conditioning the hair and skin beneath.

This natural oil has moisturizing properties that leave the beard hair soft and shiny but without a greasy texture. It contains significant amounts of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that acts as an effective moisturizer.

Gets rid of beardruff

You’ve probably heard of dandruff before, and you are wondering what beardruff is all about.

Just like your scalp, when the skin beneath the beard is dry, it will begin to flake and itch.

The flakes are dead skin peeling and can be really embarrassing, and at the same time, cause great discomfort.

The good news is that coconut oil is your ally when it comes to fighting beardruff.

The vitamins E and K present in the oil can help repair broken skin which reduces flaking.

Contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties

You may not like hearing this, but the truth is that beards can be a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.

Parasites love to live in warm and wet environments, and your beard can provide that.

So besides regularly cleaning your beard, applying coconut oil can be effective at keeping off bacteria and fungus.

See, coconut oil contains a high amount of lauric acid, which when ingested converts to monolaurin that has proven to kill fungi, bacteria, and even some viruses.

Lauric acid has particularly shown potential in eliminating Candida albicans, which is the culprit behind yeast infections, and flaky dandruff and beardruff.

There is also an indication that the lauric acid in coconut oil can help prevent inflammatory skin conditions like ingrown beard hairs and acne.

Related: Castor oil for beardOpens in a new tab.

Protects against beard damage and loss

Yes, just like hair-loss, beard-loss is a thing. The skin beneath the beard produces sebum which waterproofs the beard hair and protects it from damage.

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides which are also present in sebum.

This means that the oil is able to effectively penetrate the hair shaft to help keep it strong, and boost its growth as shown in a studyOpens in a new tab. that compared coconut oil, mineral oil, and sunflower oilOpens in a new tab. against penetrating and protecting hair from damage.

Among the three oils, coconut oil was found to be the best in terms of penetrating the hair.

There is also evidence that coconut oil can boots hormones responsible for beard growth, which is testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) when ingested.

However, some men might be hesitant to ingest the oil due to the indication that the lauric acid present in coconut oil may reduce the presence of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which helps convert testosterone to DHT.

Yet, anecdotally, men that often ingest coconut oil report high levels of DHT. This is attributed to an increase in testosterone, 5% of which the body converts to DHT naturally.

So, while the lauric acid in coconut oil may slightly inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT, you still end up with more DHT due to an increase in testosterone levels.

 Offers protection against UV damage

Surprise! Surprise! Coconut oil is actually a natural sunblock.

On its own, the oil has an SPF of 4-5, and this combined with its load of antioxidants, helps reduce damage to the skin and beard caused by harmful UV radiation and free radicals.

In case you are wondering how sun exposure affects your beard, here is the thing. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause your beard strands to become dry and brittle.

Overtime the beard hair may discolor, develop split ends, and eventually start to break which leaves you with a not-so-attractive beard.

Therefore, applying some coconut oil to your beard before getting out into the sun will help keep it healthy.

Related: Tea tree oil for beardOpens in a new tab.

It’s free of harsh chemicals

There are tons of beard care products in the market that promise several amazing benefits just like coconut oil.

However, the problem with some of these products is that it is hard to tell what they truly contain despite the ingredients listed on the labels.

Some manufacturers decide just to be dubious and not completely let you in on the ingredients used, or some will use potentially harmful ingredients without regard for your well-being.

The good thing with coconut oil is that it is quite easy to tell apart the refined oil from the natural one.

And when you are using natural coconut oil, you avoid damage to your beard, skin, and overall health that is associated with things like parabens, phthalates, and benzoates, which are common in most cosmetic products.

Can be used in shaving

Shaving your beard is an essential part of beard grooming. Coconut can help you in three ways during this process.  You can use it in the pre-shave phase to prepare your skin and hair.

Coconut oil can also be used in the shaving phase as an alternative to shaving cream. Finally, it works great too in the final phase as an aftershave by hydrating, softening, and healing the skin.

Will coconut oil affect the growth of your beard?

The subject of beard growth just like hair growth is an issue of great debate. There are different claims on what can or should do to increase your hair growth rate.

However, when you use coconut oil regularly, you are creating the right conditions for healthy growth.

This means that your beard is able to thrive and be at its optimal. An increase in length or density simply results from proper grooming and care efforts.

Earlier on, we mentioned that beard growth, just like hair growth is highly determined by genetic. The rate at which the beard grows and its thickness varies from person to person.

There is no evidence to suggest that coconut oil will boost either, but there is a clear indication that it can create the right conditions.

It begins with topical use to hydrate, soften and protect the beard. This makes sure that you grow a healthy beard that looks and feels great.

You will hardly experience breakage if your beard is in good health and this is important if you are chasing length.

The other way in which coconut oil can help with beard growth is by increasing the hormone responsible for beard growth. For this, you need to ingest the oil but make sure to do so in moderation.

Tips for using coconut oil for beard

Are you eager to jump in into the cocoa goodness? Well, if you are committed to growing your beard, you are definitely interested in the benefits promised by coconut oil.

However, for you to achieve maximum benefits, here is some advice on how to go about using coconut oil.

  • You do not need to drown in coconut to enjoy the benefits, a little of it goes a long way. The idea is to cover your beard with just enough oil to get rid of dryness and provide the skin with adequate moisture. It is best, to begin with, a pea-sized amount and then works your way up if need be.
  • Coconut oil is usually solid at room temperature but this should not worry you. The oil melts very fast. You just need to rub it in between your palms for a few seconds and will melt to a liquid for easier application.
  • The best time to apply coconut oil is after washing your beard. At this time the skin beneath is clean and it is easier for it to absorb nutrients from the oil faster. Start applying the oil from the tips and in a massaging motion, gently move towards the roots while work out through the beard strands to ensure they are all evenly coated with the oil.  Once at the roots massage the oil into the skin underneath as well. You can then comb or brush to get rid of knots and further ensure the entire beard is covered.
  • Always use clean hands when applying coconut oil to your beard.
  • You can try mixing it up with other products for added benefits. It is okay to use it alongside your beard balm. If you are a DIY enthusiast, you can combine it with essential oils or other carriers to make a unique and personalized beard oil of some kind. The oils you use will depend on the benefits you are seeking. Examples of what to use include, peppermint oil, almond oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, or rosemary oil.
  • It is recommended that you use unrefined, virgin coconut oil on your beard to enjoy maximum benefits.
  • If you do not fancy the scent or feel of coconut oil on your beard, you can use it as a conditioner in a wash-out-method. Simply apply a considerable amount of the oil onto your beard, let it be for about 5 minutes, and then wash it out with warm water. If you have additional beard products you can use them and then style your beard as desired.
  • In case you are prone to acne, trying avoiding getting too much of the oil onto your skin so that, it does not clog your pores. Additionally, instead of using the leave-in method, go for the wash-out method.

How often should you use coconut oil on your beard?

Provided you do not suffer from any allergic reactions, coconut is safe to use on a daily basis. This is especially considering the fact that you are likely to be washing your beard daily.

Additionally, the oil is absorbed into the skin within just an hour of applying. Nonetheless, you still need to practice moderation to avoid build-up and clogging your pores.

When it comes to ingesting coconut oil for beard growth, there is no standard measure as to how much you should consume.

It is, however, still important to note that the oil has fats made up of mostly triglycerides and saturated fats which may not be a good choice for people suffering from high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

To successfully use coconut oil in beard care, the key is moderation, patience, and commitment. Do not expect overnight results but slowly nurture your beard to what you would wish it to become.

Bottom line

Coconut oil may not be a miracle worker but it is a quality product that can make a difference in how your beard looks and feels. Whether you choose to use it daily, or as an occasional treatment, we still encourage you to keep using it for stronger and healthy beards. There is great evidence to show that coconut oil has a positive impact on beards, and if you are yet to try it, now might be the time.

Ben

Hi, I'm Ben! When I embarked on my beard-growing journey, I had lots of questions. Now having successfully grown a beard, I launched this blog to share the answers I discovered through extensive research. Alongside beard tips, I also offer insights on maintaining and growing dreadlocks, as well as general advice on looking your best. I'm all about helping others look and feel great!

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