Coconut oil is an increasingly popular ingredient added to various skincare products such as lotions, cream and sunblocks. Of course it’s also used for cooking so it’s a very versatile oil.
I came across a popular question online that other shavers were asking regarding the use of coconut oil:
Can I shave with coconut oil?
Sure, you can shave with coconut oil. But why would you? Notwithstanding the fact that coconut oil is far more expensive than shaving cream, soap or gel. It’s also not as easily found. Coconut oil isn’t formulated specifically for shaving. That doesn’t mean it isn’t any good. It just means that isn’t its main purpose. What possible benefits could one gain from using coconut oil for shaving that a decent shaving cream doesn’t offer?
Let’s take a closer look.
Coconut Oil vs Shaving Cream
We’ve already discussed a background on coconut oil and its use as a moisturizer. But how does it specifically compare when used in place of shaving cream?
Specifically, let’s compare 100% natural coconut oil which is typically what you can buy and a can of popular shaving cream which men generally use for shaving.
| Comparison | Coconut Oil | Shaving Cream |
| Source | 100% natural coconut oil, generally. | Artificially made with chemicals. |
| Ingredients | Coconut oil. | Chemicals like Propylene Glycol among others. |
| Ability to moisturize | Very good. Coconut oil used in many skincare products as it’s very high in saturated fats. | Depends on the product. Additives are used to moisturize and soothe skin. Sensitive skin shaving creams are also available. |
| Effect on skin | Coconut is very comedogenic which means it clogs pores. Oily skin can be made worse with comedogenic products. | Shaving cream generally shaves off easily and the remainder can be wiped or rinsed off. Minerals oil often added to moisturize skin but it can clog pores. |
| Lather | Doesn’t lather much. Coats the skin and leaves an oily feeling. | Some products lather better than others. Additives assist to help it lather and foam up. |
| Allergies | Some people may be allergic to coconut oil. | Your skin might not react well to certain chemicals or additives. |
| Scent | Smells like coconut. | No scent and scented products available. |
Additionally, canned shaving cream must be considered worse for the environment when you take into account the chemicals, additives and metal cans that must be disposed of.
Can I Shave With Coconut Oil: Considerations
So why would you pay $15 for a container of coconut oil when you can grab a can of shaving cream for $3?
As mentioned above, the biggest drawback to coconut oil is its price. A container of coconut oil is far more expensive than a can of shaving cream or even a cheap tube of shaving cream. Having said that, you won’t use more than a small amount of coconut oil each time you shave.
The other drawback to coconut oil for shaving is its comedogenic nature. Coconut oil is very high in saturated fats. One tablespoon has about 6 times the saturated fat as an equal amount of olive oil. This can exacerbate oily skin. So if you have oily skin, avoid using it around your nose and other areas where pores easily get blocked.
When I tried shaving with coconut oil, I didn’t really like the oily feeling it left on my scalp. I had just showered and was squeaky clean. After shaving with coconut oil, it left a greasy feeling on my head which I don’t get with shaving cream.
As far as the shaving result, I can’t say I noticed a difference between shaving with coconut oil and shaving cream. The feeling of shaving was the same. I still had to rinse the blade to get the hairs out. Nothing really seemed different.
Finally, do you even like the smell of coconut? If not, you won’t like using coconut oil.
So what benefit(s) does coconut oil offer for shaving?
Given the moisturizing ability of coconut oil, could a person with chronic dry skin benefit? Perhaps.
If you want a 100% natural product, coconut oil has that benefit, too.
Whether you want to use it on your face or head for shaving depends on how much you want to spend and also your propensity to live with the oily feeling and coconut smell it leaves behind.
Conclusion
- Coconut oil is increasingly used in skincare products and some men use it for shaving in place of canned shaving cream.
- While coconut oil tends to be 100% natural, shaving creams have additives and chemicals.
- Coconut oil is very high in saturated fats and has a high moisturizing quality.
- Some people have allergic reactions to coconut and others don’t like the smell or oily feeling it leaves.
- Coconut oil is comedogenic which means it can clog pores. If you have oily skin, using a comedogenic product can make the clogging of pores an even bigger issue.
Have you used coconut oil for shaving or for an itchy beard? What was your experience like?