Coconut oil for beard care?

Coconut oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the flesh of the coconut, rich in saturated fatty acids, particularly lauric acid. Used for a long time in cosmetics, it is valued for its enveloping texture and its good affinity with keratin fibers. Coconut oil is now widely incorporated into hair care routines and is also extending to beard care, which has both skin and hair needs.

On beard hair, coconut oil can act as a softening and protective agent. Its high lipid content allows it to form a film on the surface of the hair shaft, which improves its flexibility. This can make the beard softer, shinier, and easier to style, especially when the hair is dry or coarse. This film-forming effect also helps reduce friction between hairs, which can limit breakage and improve the overall appearance of the beard.

Beyond the hair itself, coconut oil may also be beneficial for the underlying skin, which can sometimes be prone to imbalances, including beard dandruff. Some evidence suggests that coconut oil may influence the balance of the skin microbiome. A study conducted in 140 women, some of whom had dandruff, showed that regular application of coconut oil for 12 weeks altered the microbial composition of the scalp, notably by modulating yeasts of the genus Malassezia. These yeasts are involved in the development of dandruff. Although these results concern the scalp, they suggest that coconut oil could help re-balance the skin ecosystem beneath the beard.

Furthermore, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, partly related to its fatty acid composition. It may therefore help soothe feelings of discomfort, such as itching or irritation, which are common during beard growth or in cases of dry skin. By forming a protective film on the skin’s surface, it can also reduce external aggressions and improve skin comfort.

However, these benefits need to be qualified. Coconut oil is a rich, occlusive oil that can easily weigh hair down and leave a greasy finish, especially if applied in excessive amounts. On certain skin types, particularly combination to oily or blemish-prone skin, it can also promote pore clogging beneath the beard, and therefore the formation of comedones.

While coconut oil may offer potential benefits for the beard, its use should remain moderate and be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on skin type and beard type.

To benefit from the softening and protective properties of coconut oil on the beard, it is recommended to use it two to three times per week.

• To begin, we recommend that you dilute coconut oil in a lighter plant oil, such as jojoba oil, argan oil or even grapeseed oil, to limit its occlusive effect. For example, you can aim for a concentration of 10 to 30% coconut oil, which corresponds to one spoonful of coconut oil for seven to nine spoonfuls of another plant oil.

• After you’ve combed your beard, a step that facilitates application, you can take a few drops of the mixture into your hands to apply it over your entire beard.

• Leave it on for about twenty minutes before rinsing and washing your beard with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water.

• You can then gently dry your beard with a towel and detangle it with a brush.

• EVANGELISTA M. T. P. & al. The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. International Journal of Dermatology (2014).

• JIANG H. & al. Penetration of oils into hair. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2024).

• KATHURIA D. & al. Cosmeceutical applications of natural oils and fats. In Plant Metabolites as Cosmeceuticals (2024).

• GEW L. T. & al. A comprehensive review of plant-based cosmetic oils (virgin coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil): Chemical and biological properties and their cosmeceutical applications. ACS Omega (2024).