9 Oils That I Believe Are Better For Your Skin Than Coconut Oil

But seriously, coconut oil has some good benefits. I just can’t bet past its oily and slick nature. I have huge jar sitting among my other beloved oils and butters having sat untouched for months for this very reason.

Yall love it. Yall swear by it and that’s fine. But me, I just can’t deal with the texture. Its extremely oily, heavy and actually comedogenic (pore clogging). No, nope and hell no. As someone who strives to create skincare products that not only help to seal in moisture but also do very little to leave physical traces of its existence behind, coconut oil isn’t even in the same realm. But, BUT, it does make for a good addition to a coffee sugar scrub. The scent works well together and requires minimum oil. But I digress.

Now if you want to keep using it on your food, cool. Or even in your oil pulling or as in ingredient in your homemade toothpaste by all means go for it. And if you’re feeling like Ms. Jackson but only if you’re nasty, I’ve heard it's a good lubricant. But for the love of God stop using it on your skin! So...because I care, research AND self test and utilize the help of my family and friends, I’ve compiled a short list of some of my favorite oils to use instead of coconut oil. 

Some of them you’ll be able to find in your local health food store or grocer like Whole Foods, H-E-B, Sprouts or Natural Grocer. Sometimes you may be able to find it in specialty stores like Garden of the Ancients (my fave local shop her in Austin thanks to its huge supply of dried plants and herbs) or The Herb Bar. Others can only be found online but NOT from amazon. As much as I use its service for a myriad of products, skincare is not one of them due to its inability to screen for legit products. Everybody and they’re mama and they’re baby sister cousin daddy is allowed to sell on there so you’re not always going to get what you pay for and that’s unfortunate. Our skin is our largest organ and I don’t know about you but I do my best to protect it so that it can continue to protect me.

Most of the oils will have a benefit(s) that tend to lend a hand in, soothing, healing or calming multiple skin issues. But that doesn’t mean they are not beneficial to people with non problematic skin types such as normal, dry, combination and oily. Let's be clear you can have the shine without the acne or blackheads. It boils down to knowing your skin type and the skincare goal(s) you’re trying to achieve that will determine the oil best suited to your needs.

Peep the list and leave me your thoughts. But don’t come for me. You know that ish is greasy!!

Jojoba

INCI| Simmondsia Chinensis

While most people believe it to be an oil, jojoba is actually a liquid wax.

It is similar to the sebum our skin naturally produces. While it is a light oil, just like any other, a little goes a long way. I found that out the hard way when adding too much of it to a facial oil blend recently. I have normally kept it at lower levels, but due to being out of a few key oils, I compensated with jojoba. Just be cognizant of that when blending or using solo.

Skin Type| Good for all skin types including acne prone, mature and skin issues 

Hemp

INCI| Cannabis Sativa Seed

Has in intense green color and a rather pungent scent that can easily override other oils including your essential oils. Its best to mix this into an oil blend at a lower ratio to other oils. It absorbs into the skin so easily that it is considered a “dry” oil.

Skin Type| Great for psoriasis, eczema and dry skin in general

Avocado

INCI| Persea gratissima

While avocado is much heavier than any of the other oils listed previously, its rich green color (hello clear glass bottles) and high vitamin A content still makes it better alternative to coconut oil. Vitamin A by the way are natural retinoids that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation and helps to smooth the skin. There’s a reason why retinoids are such a big deal in skincare products. In essence they help you stay looking younger for longer. Avocado oil is also high in vitamin E which helps combat free radicals.

Skin Type| It's suitable for all skin types but particularly useful for psoriasis and eczema

Sunflower 

INCI: Helianthus annuus

This one if personally one of my faves due to its high vitamin (A,C,D & E) and linoleic acid content (increases the strength of the skin’s barrier to help retain water and while keeping irritants at bay). It's also very light and can stand alone as a single moisturizer. But I prefer to incorporate it as part of an oil blend or in body and hair butters.

Skin Type| It’s suitable for all skin types but especially great for dry and sensitive skin

Kukui

INCI name: Aleurites moluccana

As an oil introduced to Hawaiians from Polynesian settlers, kukui nut oil has been used to protect the skin from dryness from attributed to the sun, high winds and salt water. But before it became an oil used for skin, hair, bath products, it was also used to “light the way”. Its high oil content allowed it to be burned to provide light, giving it the nickname, “candlenut”. Its an excellent addition to soapmaking.

Skin Type| Excellent for problematic skin (eczema, psoriasis, dry for example)

Andiroba

INCI: Carapa guianensis

An oil that hails from the Brazilian rainforest, andiroba oil is a true MVP due to its use as being a healing oil that is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial. But on top of all that its also an insect repellant due to its high limonoid (phytochemical that in some varieties repel insects) content. It's a light oil that is easily absorbed into the skin with a very faint aroma. It recently became a fave and definitely plan on purchasing more in the future.

Skin Type| It's great for skin suffering from eczema, psoriasis, rashes and burns but also normal skin too.

Can be found at Camden Grey or New Direction Aromatics

Almond

INCI| Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis

I’ll admit, almond oil is the most basic one of the bunch. BUT let's be clear it still gets the job done. Almond oil is a light oil that can be used for aromatherapy blends as well as a massage oil and of course for softening the skin. If you’re into soap making, it makes for a very good lather.

Skin Type| While its suitable for normal skin, it of course can be used for those suffering from eczema and dry skin too.

Hazelnut

INCI| Corylus avellana

While this nut makes for a great chocolate spread for dipping, its oil also makes for a good moisturizer especially for those with oily skin due to its astringent quality. Now I know you’re saying if my skin is oily, why would I apply more oil? While genetics can definitely be a cause for oily skin BUT how you treat it is definitely another. If you’re using products that strip your skin of moisture, don’t exfoliate so your moisturizer or any other product  can’t do its job, or skip a moisturizer altogether, your skin will respond by overproducing what’s severely lacking. You don’t have to slather it on just like wouldn’t with any of the other oils. As always a little goes a long way. Think 1-3 drops. If you’re still unsure of using it, you can apply the oil right after your apply your toner. But don’t wipe the toner away. Use that to disperse the oil across your face to not only seal in moisture but use as little as possible to get the job done. Hazelnut also absorbs fairly quickly and is useful for aromatherapy.

Skin Type| As per usual, it's suitable for all skin types but especially for oily and acne prone skin.

Walnut 

INCI| Juglans regia

Besides loving it as an addition to my almost daily snack of a Fuji apple, this oil has been a major component in my body and hair butter until recently when I was testing a new formulation. Its not gone for good (its high in antioxidants). Based on some more research I wanted to try something new. Besides that doesn’t mean it won’t show up in another product. I’m still working on crafting a body oil I truly love (light weight, moisturizes and absorbs well). Anywho, this is a semi light oil that works well as an emollient and is often used in anti-aging formulations due to its ability to moisturize dry, mature skin.

Skin Type| Its suitable for problem skin (eczema, psoriasis and inflamed for example) as well as sensitive skin.

Now just as with anything new you’re trying, please test a small patch of skin for any allergic reactions. For those with nut allergies, while its probably a given to avoid any of the nut oils, I would definitely ask your doctor regarding seed oils or any other oil that you’re unsure of for that matter just as a precaution. We all want beautiful skin just not at the price of our health. So tell me, what oil(s) float your boat? and don’t you dare fix your lips to say coconut oil. 😜