When it comes to using natural ingredients in your skincare regimen, shea butter and coconut oil have dominated the conversation for quite some time.
This is why I was curious to know how a shea butter vs. coconut oil showdown would go.
Are one of these better for your skin? Or, are they simply meant to be used for different parts of your skincare routine?
Well, here is what I found:
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Before going any further, we need to establish whether either of these components is useful for the skin.
Keep in mind, while these ingredients are often reported to have numerous advantages, there isn’t usually a great deal of evidence to back these claims up.
So, does shea butter have any useful properties? Well, there has been some scientific research done on this subject.
Shea butter does appear to be high in certain nutrients such as vitamin C. It also has a high-fat content that may help to keep the skin moisturized.
There is also some evidence to prove that shea butter may contain antioxidants and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
Now, moving onto coconut oil, there is a little more proof to back up some of the coconut oil claims.
For instance, coconut oil has mild antibacterial properties, which may help to get rid of minor bacterial outbreaks.
Coconut oil can also help to prevent moisture escaping from your skin. It manages to do this by cutting down on transepidermal water loss.
So, while it may not moisturize your skin, it can help to lock in the moisture from other oils.
Coconut oil can also help a variety of skin issues. For example, it can ease the symptoms associated with psoriasis as well as dermatitis.
Now that you know about the individual advantages, let’s consider who comes out on top in a match up.
Well, in this case, the evidence supporting the benefit of coconut oil for skin does outweigh the scientific facts for shea butter.
While there are numerous claims made about shea butter, not all of them are verified. For instance, it was discovered that shea butter may not be able to help with skin irritation as previously thought.
Thus, while it may be an effective moisturizer, there is no proof that it works the way people assume it would.
Of course, not all the claims made about coconut oil are true either. It isn’t quite the miracle oil that everyone thinks it is.
Nevertheless, if you are suffering from certain skin conditions or are simply looking to round out your skincare routine, coconut oil can definitely help.
If you want to enjoy all these benefits, consider using No products found. – some of the best coconut oil brands around.
Related Reading
Finding the Best Coconut Oil for Your Skincare Routine
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So it has been established that coconut oil and shea butter can be used on your body. However, how well does it work on your face?
More specifically, can either of these components help treat acne?
Well, it doesn’t appear that shea butter has any specific properties that can treat acne. In fact, it can be comedogenic.
This means that it can clog up pores and aggravate acne breakouts. As such, it really shouldn’t be used if you have oily skin.
However, when used on dry skin, shea butter has a moisturizing effect.
What about coconut oil, then? Can it help people suffering from acne?
As mentioned, coconut oil does have some antibacterial properties. Due to this, there is a chance that the oil may be able to help reduce acne outbreaks.
However, this hasn’t been proven. The truth is that coconut oil can be quite comedogenic as well.
Therefore, if you use it on acne-prone or oily skin, there is a chance that you may exacerbate the problem.
This means that coconut oil may help treat acne on certain skin types and make the situation worse with other people.
It is always best to patch test both coconut oil and shea butter before you apply it directly to your face. You will then get a better idea of the impact these ingredients have on your facial skin.
Related Reading
Best Coconut Oil For Face: Everything You Need To Know
There is a lot more to shea butter and coconut oil than you may have realized. While they do have their uses, they don’t offer up as many skin benefits as many companies claim. Nevertheless, they are good skincare ingredients.
However, coconut oil does reign supreme in this instance. It has far more advantages for your skin, especially if you are suffering from issues such as dermatitis or psoriasis.
Coconut oil is incredibly good at keeping moisture locked in your skin as well. At the same time, coconut oil doesn’t necessarily help with problems such as acne. Therefore, it may not always be the solution you need.
Once again, No products found. is one of the best ways to determine what coconut oil has to offer.
If anyone you know has questions about these particular skincare ingredients, make sure to share this post with them!
