Shaving with Coconut Oil – How to, Benefits & Side Effects

Out of shaving cream? No problem – if you have a jar of Coconut Oil laying around in the home somewhere, it can be an excellent alternative to shaving cream plus moisturise and nourish your skin in doing so. 

Why do we need shaving cream?

Imagine for a moment – taking a shaving blade to your facial hair or legs and moving it down to cut the little hair stubbles which have been growing over the last 24 to 48 hours. It’s not very smooth, jagging along the way and potentially harming your skin and burning in the process. 

The answer is in hydration. 

Shaving cream is designed to reduce the friction in the shave. Your hair is often dry and hard, so shaving it can cause damage if not properly softened before. Shaving cream often contains hydrating minerals which help soften your hairs, offering a smoother glide with the blade. 

You don’t need to use it, but it sure makes shaving a lot more bearable particularly if you suffer from sensitive skin. After all, no one wants red marks or patches on their face or legs. And no body wants to feel the pain in sensitive areas (underarms). 

Benefits of Shaving with Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has plenty of natural benefits for your skin [Coconut Oil Benefits for Skin]. 

It can be used to:

• Moisturise and Nourish Dry skin
• Reduce inflammation caused by skin conditions such as Eczema or Psoriasis
• Help treat acne
• May help promote collagen production and make skin feel supple and soft 

Coconut Oil is rich in the saturated fats MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides) which help provide anti-inflammatory compounds that helps soothe your skin from inflammatory conditions. 

How to Shave with Coconut Oil

You can shave with pure Organic, Virgin Coconut Oil by applying it directly to your skin and shaving with your chosen razer. Be sure to wash off your razer blade frequently to avoid build up of Coconut Oil in between the blades which will reduce the effectiveness of the shave. 

Shea Butter + Coconut Oil + Vitamin E

A great at-home shaving cream recipe which you can make yourself: 

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of Coconut Oil with 3 tablespoons of Shea Butter into a bowl and melt them
2. Add a few drops of Vitamin E to the mix (Vitamin E is great for the skin)
3. If desired, add Aloe drops
4. Mix all ingredients and leave to cool. At room temperature, they may harden (depending on the environment where you live). But that’s ok. You can apply with a shaving brush and lather with the steam of a hot shower or running tap. 

When you next come to shave, take this mix and apply with a shaving brush over the area you wish to shave. 

Side Effects of using Coconut Oil for Shaving

Coconut oil is a thick oil which has a comedogenic rating of 4. This means it can block your pores as it does not get absorbed by your skin and could lead to breakouts particularly if you have suffered from acne or oily skin in the past. 

Summary

Coconut oil is a great natural alternative to chemical laden shaving creams and gels available at the supermarket. If you’re looking for natural, fragrance free and chemical free shaving cream alternatives, making the Shea Butter + Coconut oil mix at home is a great option and one which can nourish your skin.