Turn a single pantry staple into a full toolkit of nourishing, customizable skin and hair treats. Whether you’re new to DIY or already love crafting your own beauty products, coconut oil offers an easy, affordable foundation with a silky feel and naturally rich hydration.
Why Coconut Oil Works
Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (notably lauric acid) that melt near skin temperature, glide on easily, and create a soft, occlusive layer to help lock in moisture. On hair, it can reduce protein loss when used as a pre-wash treatment and can help smooth frizz and add shine when used sparingly on the ends.
Refined coconut oil: neutral scent, still rich and emollient, also solid below ~76°F/24°C.
Fractionated coconut oil (MCT): stays liquid, very lightweight, excellent in serums and hair oils.
Safety, Skin Types, and Patch Testing
Patch test first: apply a small amount to the inner forearm for 24–48 hours.
Acne-prone or very oily facial skin: coconut oil is comedogenic for some; consider using it on body, lips, or hair, or substitute with jojoba or squalane on the face.
Nut allergies: coconut is technically a fruit, but sensitivities happen—patch test and consult your healthcare provider if unsure.
Essential oils are optional and potent. For face: up to ~1% total; for body: up to ~2%; for leave-in hair: ~0.5% or less. Always dilute; avoid citrus oils on sun-exposed skin.
If you have persistent scalp issues or dermatitis, check with a dermatologist before oil treatments.
Tools and Ingredients
Basic Tools
Heat-safe bowl and a pot for a double boiler (or a microwave-safe bowl)
Accurate kitchen scale (recommended) or measuring spoons/cups
Clean spatulas, mixing spoons, and small whisk
Jars, tins, or pump bottles with tight lids
Rubbing alcohol and paper towels to sanitize containers
Helpful Ingredients
Coconut oil (virgin or refined), fractionated coconut oil (MCT)
Shea butter, cocoa butter (for richer body products)
Jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed, or olive oil (to adjust texture)
Beeswax or plant wax (candelilla/carnauba) for balms
Arrowroot powder or cornstarch to reduce greasiness
Vitamin E (tocopherol) as an antioxidant
Optional: essential oils like lavender, tea tree, rosemary (use conservatively)
Skin Recipes
1) Silky Coconut Lip Balm
Firm, protective, and simple—great for pockets and gifts.
Ingredients (makes ~6 standard tubes or 3 small tins)
15 g coconut oil
10 g beeswax (or 8 g candelilla for vegan; a bit firmer)
5 g cocoa butter (optional for extra richness)
3–4 drops vitamin E (optional)
Optional flavor/scent: 1–2 drops food-grade flavor oil or a tiny pinch of vanilla bean
Steps
Sanitize containers with a little rubbing alcohol and let dry.
Melt beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil together in a double boiler on low heat.
Remove from heat; stir in vitamin E and optional flavor.
Buffs away dullness and leaves skin soft. Keep water out of the jar to avoid contamination.
Ingredients (yields ~250 g)
120 g fine sugar (or brown sugar for gentler exfoliation)
90 g coconut oil (melted if solid)
30 g grapeseed or sweet almond oil
10 g arrowroot powder (optional)
Optional scent: up to 2 g essential oil
Steps
Mix oils together. Stir in sugar and arrowroot until uniform.
Add essential oils if using. Spoon into a wide-mouth jar.
Use: massage onto damp skin, then rinse. Avoid getting water into the jar (use a spoon). Shelf life: ~3–6 months.
4) Gentle Oil Cleanser / Makeup Remover Balm
Anhydrous balm to dissolve sunscreen and makeup. Best for normal to dry skin; acne-prone faces may prefer jojoba or squalane.
Ingredients (yields ~120 g)
50 g coconut oil
40 g jojoba oil
25 g beeswax (for a firmer balm; use 15–20 g for a softer balm)
0.5 g vitamin E
Optional: 2–3 g polysorbate 80 for easier rinse-off
Steps
Melt coconut oil and beeswax. Remove from heat; stir in jojoba, vitamin E, and optional polysorbate 80.
Pour into a jar and let set.
Use: massage a pea-size amount over dry face, then wipe with a warm damp cloth. Follow with a gentle cleanser if desired.
5) Soft Underarm Deodorant Cream
Deodorizes without aluminum. Not an antiperspirant (you will still sweat). Baking soda can irritate; magnesium hydroxide and arrowroot are gentler.
Ingredients (yields ~100 g)
40 g coconut oil
20 g shea butter
25 g arrowroot powder
10 g magnesium hydroxide powder
5 g beeswax (optional for firmness)
Optional scent: up to 1 g essential oil total (e.g., lavender)
Steps
Melt coconut oil, shea, and beeswax. Remove from heat.
Whisk in arrowroot and magnesium until smooth, then add essential oils.
Jar and allow to set. Apply a pea-size amount to each underarm.
Hair Recipes
1) Pre-Shampoo Coconut Hair Mask
Helps reduce protein loss and boosts shine. Ideal for dry, damaged, or curly hair. Fine or low-porosity hair should use sparingly.
Ingredients
1–3 tablespoons coconut oil (adjust by hair length and thickness)
Optional: 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil for lighter slip
Steps
Warm between your palms or in a warm water bath until fluid (not hot).
Apply from mid-lengths to ends; use leftovers lightly on the crown if very dry.
Leave on 30–60 minutes (or overnight with a towel on pillow). Shampoo thoroughly; condition as usual.
Frequency: 1× weekly or biweekly. For fine hair, start with 1 teaspoon.
2) Soothing Scalp Oil (Pre-Wash)
Calms dry, tight scalp before shampooing. Avoid if your scalp is very oily or if you have an active dermatitis flare without medical guidance.
Ingredients (yields ~50 g)
35 g fractionated coconut oil (lightweight)
15 g jojoba oil
Optional essential oils (total up to 0.5%): e.g., 4–5 drops combined lavender and tea tree
Steps
Combine oils in a dropper bottle. Add essential oils, cap, and shake gently.
Part hair and apply a few drops to the scalp. Massage 2–3 minutes.
Leave on 15–30 minutes. Shampoo well.
3) Glossy Ends Serum
Seals flyaways and adds shine without heaviness when used sparingly.
Ingredients (yields ~30 g)
20 g fractionated coconut oil
10 g jojoba or squalane
Optional: 1–2 drops essential oil (e.g., vanilla oleoresin is not ideal; try a single drop lavender)
Steps and Use
Combine in a small pump bottle.
Rub 1–3 drops between palms and smooth onto damp or dry ends. Add more only if needed.
Tip: For very fine hair, use just 1 drop or apply only to the last inch of hair.
4) Curl Defining Butter (For Coils and Thick Hair)
Rich definition and soft hold for twist-outs and braids. Too heavy for fine hair.
Ingredients (yields ~150 g)
50 g coconut oil
60 g shea butter
40 g castor oil or avocado oil
Optional: 1 g essential oil blend (about 0.7%)
Steps
Melt coconut oil and shea butter, remove from heat, stir in castor oil.
Chill until thickening, then whip until fluffy. Add optional scent and jar.
Use a small amount per section on damp hair before styling.
5) Warm Hot Oil Treatment
Monthly reset for dull hair. Always test temperature on your wrist first.
Ingredients
2–4 tablespoons coconut oil (or 50/50 coconut and olive oil)
Steps
Place oil in a small bottle and set in a mug of hot water for a few minutes. Do not overheat.
Apply to dry hair, cover with a shower cap, and wrap in a warm towel for 20–30 minutes.
Shampoo thoroughly and condition lightly.
Bonus: Herb and Coffee Infusions
Infusions add subtle scent and botanical benefits to oils. Use dried botanicals to avoid introducing water.
Simple Warm Infusion
Combine 1 part dried herb (e.g., calendula petals, lavender buds, or roasted coffee grounds) with 4–5 parts coconut oil in a heat-safe jar.
Place the jar in a warm water bath (low heat) for 2–3 hours, keeping water below the lid line. Stir occasionally.
Cool, strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth, and bottle. Label with the plant and date.
Use infused oil in any recipe above in place of plain coconut oil.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Labeling
Sanitize jars and tools with rubbing alcohol before filling.
Keep products away from water unless a preservative is used. The recipes above are anhydrous (oil-only) and don’t require a preservative if kept dry.
Shelf life: generally 6–12 months. Discard if you notice off smells, color changes, or mold.
Label containers with name, date, and any allergens or essential oils used.
Store out of direct sunlight. Coconut oil melts in warm rooms; if your butter deflates, re-whip briefly or simply use as-is.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
My skin feels greasy after using coconut oil. What can I do?
Apply to damp skin and use less product.
Blend in lighter oils (fractionated coconut, jojoba) and add a bit of arrowroot powder.
Is coconut oil okay for facial acne?
It’s comedogenic for some people. If you’re acne-prone, patch test carefully or try non-comedogenic alternatives like jojoba or squalane for facial use.
Why does my body butter grain or feel gritty?
Shea or cocoa butter can crystallize if cooled too slowly. Fix by melting, then cooling quickly in the fridge before whipping.
How much essential oil should I add?
Face products: up to ~1% total.
Body products: up to ~2% total.
Leave-in hair products: ~0.5% or less.
If you don’t have a scale: 1% is roughly 6–10 drops per ounce (30 g), but drop sizes vary—measuring by weight is safer.
My hair feels heavy after a mask—help!
Use less oil next time; focus on mid-lengths and ends.
Shampoo twice or use a clarifying shampoo once a month if needed.
Can I add aloe gel, hydrosols, or fresh ingredients?
Those add water and require a proper broad-spectrum preservative and pH adjustment. To keep things simple and safer, stick to oil-only recipes unless you’re comfortable with cosmetic preservation.
