9 of the best coconut oil beauty products

It’s often with some degree of risk that we slather creams and lotions on our faces. Will this really pump moisture into my T-zone? Will it bring me out in spots?

Coconut oil is a new player on the beauty scene that doesn’t ask you to throw caution to the wind. It’s gentle, it’s vegan, it removes make-up AND moisturises your skin, and you can even eat it.

Its unique make-up of fatty acids mean that when added to food, coconut oil is digested differently to the fats you’d find in cheese, for example, and the body converts these acids into energy. It can also do great things for your skin; it’s packed full of vitamin E, which is a well-known for smoothing skin and combating the effects of aging.

Coconut oil’s versatility has seen it appearing in all manner of beauty products, so we’ve rounded up the best ones that’ll help you get your smooth on.

Holland and Barrett Perfectly Pure Coconut Oil

In its purest form, coconut oil is yours to do what you want with. Add it to salads, use as a sweetener or rub into your skin to soothe dryness.

A couple of spoonfuls of coconut oil can be a great snack substitute, and the way it’s metabolised means it’ll keep your energy levels up between meals. The essential oil proteins are great in helping your skin repair and regenerate, so it’s a perfect aftershave balm or moisturiser. It also helps reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Is there anything coconut oil can’t do?

Available from Holland and Barrett, £15.49 for 453g

Kiehl’s Amino Acid and Coconut Oil Shampoo

If you’re a hair-experimenter, you’ll be familiar with the shower turning all shades of the rainbow as your latest dye job washes out. Kiehl’s Amino Acid and Coconut shampoo is so gentle, it won’t fade colours, and is, of course, suitable for non-coloured hair, too.

Kiehl’s proudly claims it’s suitable for all skin types, and despite the oil content, lathers up in a creamy froth. There’s also a coconut oil conditioner if your locks need an extra injection of moisture.

Available from Kiehl’s, £8.50 for 75ml (larger sizes available)

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Moisture Gro Hairdress

Don’t panic, this isn’t half as complicated as the name suggests. Apparently, Polynesian islanders swear by coconut oil to strengthen and add shine to their hair, and now you can get your hands on the South Pacific glow.

Best of all, there’s no faffing about rinsing it out – just apply to dry hair and comb through from the roots to the tips.

Available from FeelUnique, £3.29 for 150g

Too Faced Royal Oil Body Bronzer

Normally, getting bronzer in your hair would be a bit annoying, but this coconut oil-enriched instant tan is also designed for rubbing onto the ends of your hair to hydrate dry tips and add shimmer.

There’s also mangosteen oil in there (nope, that’s not what happens when Bruce Springsteen meets a mango, it’s an Indonesian fruit) which works with the coconut juice to keep your skin hydrated as you glow.

Available from Look Fantastic, £28 for 100ml

Dr Jackson’s Coconut Melt

Chock-full of 100% coconut oil, this wonder balm soothes chapped heels, chapped lips…pretty much chapped anything. It’s solid at room temperature, but exposed to heat, will melt into a delicious-smelling coconutty goo.

As with most coconut products, this can also be used on the hair, as its lauric acid content helps strengthen the keratin in every strand.

Available from Dr Jackson’s, £10 for 15ml

Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Crème

Heels like a sub-Saharan patch of crazy paving? This could be your answer. Burt’s Bees might be best known for honey-based products, but they’ve have jumped on the coconut hype with this luxurious foot cream. It’s also got peppermint and rosemary in to leave your tootsies fragrant.

Available from Burt’s Bees, £12.99 for 120g

Inecto Pure Coconut Oil Moisturising Body Wash

Another product that doesn’t scrimp on the coconut oil is this body wash, which contains 100% pure oil and promises to leave skin super soft. Also, look how cheap it is!

It’s pH balanced formula mean this is a good choice for even sensitive, dry complexions, and it’s paraben-free. Nobody likes a paraben.

Available from Chemist Direct, £1.48 for 200ml

Essential Care Creamy Coconut Cleanser

 

The plant oils will lift make-up from the skin before the coconut oil does its thing (moisturising, in case you haven’t been following).

This cleanser also boasts a few green credentials – it’s vegan, and Soil Association certified, which means it’s made from sustainable resources, and comes in fully recyclable packaging. 100% guilt-free.

Available from Feel Unique, £14.50 for 150ml

RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream

For those who don’t like clutter, this is the answer. Perish the thought of multiple bottles of lotion lined up on the shelf – this multi-purpose cream acts as a make-up remover (even on waterproof mascara) a moisturiser and a hair mask. Noticing a theme here?

It’s also recommended for soothing sunburn, so take it on holiday and forget about having to stuff all your potions into a little plastic wallet.

Available from Liberty, £12.50 for 70g