Key takeaways

  • Coconut oil may help to smooth, soften, detangle, and shape beard hair. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and may benefit the skin on your face.
  • Coconut oil can clog your pores, which may increase the risk of acne. Some people may also experience skin irritation from coconut oil.
  • To apply coconut oil to your beard, warm a small amount between your hands and smooth it into your beard with downward strokes.

Beard oil is a conditioning product some people use to groom their facial hair. It claims to soften hair and condition skin, resulting in a beard that appears clean and well-groomed.

Since coconut oil can soften skin and condition hair, some people use it as an affordable and simple beard oil alternative.

Coconut oil can soften your hair while protecting its outer layers. There’s also a belief, based mostly on anecdotal evidence, that coconut oil stimulates hair growth.

A 2022 article highlights the following properties in coconut oil, which may benefit your hair:

  • antibacterial activity
  • antifungal activity
  • it coats the hair shaft, trapping moisture inside
  • increases lubrication to help detangle hair
  • flattens the hair cuticle surface to improve hair appearance
  • prevents hair protein loss

Coconut oil also has moisturizing and nourishing properties that can soften the skin on your face. When the skin on your face is moisturized and free of obstruction, like clogged pores or dead skin, your beard may grow more evenly and be less prone to razor bumps.

It also promotes healing if your skin is irritated and works as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent.

All of these properties seem to point in favor of using coconut oil on your beard.

Although there is plenty of research into coconut oil’s properties as a cosmetic product, few studies specifically analyze coconut oil for beard hair.

Some people may dislike the greasy texture of coconut oil on their beard. It is also comedogenic, which means it’s likely to clog your pores and has the potential to cause acne.

Using coconut oil on your face and beard doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get acne. However, if you are prone to breakouts, it’s good to be aware of this potential.

Another potential risk of coconut oil is allergies. People may experience skin irritation or rashes if they have sensitive skin or an allergic reaction to coconut oil.

Like any cosmetic product, it’s important to patch test coconut oil on your skin before using it extensively.

Like any beard oil, coconut oil is best applied to your beard when it’s clean and dry. Your beard and skin will absorb the oil, so you won’t have to worry about washing it out.

When using coconut oil, it’s better to start with too little and add more to your beard than to overwhelm it with coconut oil.

Follow these steps to use coconut oil on your beard:

  • Rub a small amount of coconut oil together in your palms. This will warm the oil enough for it to melt, making it easier to apply.
  • Slowly massage the oil onto your face, stroking the oil in a downward direction to tame stray hairs and shape your beard.
  • Finish by paying attention to the bottom of your beard, massaging leftover oil into the ends.

Beard hair tends to grow unevenly and at different shapes and angles. That’s why figuring out how to best groom your beard can take time, and a lot of experimenting with different grooming products.

Some people believe coconut oil promotes hair growth, but more research is necessary to support this claim.

If your hair grows at a typical rate and you’re otherwise healthy, it’s unlikely that there’s any beard oil or similar product that’ll make your beard grow in more quickly.

If you have any concerns about your hair growth, a healthcare professional like a dermatologist may be able to offer help and beard growth tips.

There are plenty of other natural alternatives for beard oils and balms.

If you’re looking for a natural oil with soothing properties, consider peppermint oil. The scent of peppermint is strong, and diluting it with another softening carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil, is essential for a DIY beard oil.

Other options for natural products that shape and groom your beard include:

However, it’s worth remembering that any natural beard oil may pose certain risks, including allergic reactions.

Coconut oil has hydrating and protective properties that can soothe your skin and improve your hair’s appearance. For these reasons, it may work for some people as a beard oil or balm.

You can use coconut oil in its pure form or look for products that contain it as an ingredient. Be wary of beard oils that promise to accelerate hair growth. More research is necessary to understand if they work.

If you have acne-prone skin, there are other natural alternatives to beard oil that may be less likely to cause you to break out.