Shea Butter Vs Coconut Oil for Acne – What’s Better?

If you’re stuck between buying shea butter or coconut oil for acne, then you’ve come to the right page. I discuss the the pros and cons of shea butter vs coconut oil for acne!

Shea Butter & Acne – Profile & Pros and Cons

• Scientific Name: Viterallia paradoxa
• Linolenic Acid Content: 3-11%
• Comedogenic Rating: 0

Pros of Shea Butter for Acne

1. Doesn’t clog pores – As you can see above, the comedogenic rating of shea butter is ZERO! Comedogenic rating is a scale from 0-5 showing the ability of a skin care product to clog pores. 0 means it absolutely won’t clog pores while 5 means it will definitely clog pores. So if you have clogged pores and acne, then shea butter is a good moisturizer for you.
2. Seals moisture into skin – One of the best ways to use shea butter for acne is applying it on a damp face. This will enable it to lock the moisture into your skin, keeping it moisturized and supple.
3. Good for scars – Got acne scars? Shea butter will help! It is rich in nutrients such as Vitamin K and also contains Vitamin E that are both good for fading away scars.
4. Has a bit of linoleic acid – Though not very significant, shea butter does have some linoleic acid that is good for those with oily skin and acne. People with oily/acne prone skin actually have little to no linoleic acid in their skin. Linoleic acid makes the sebum our skin produces high quality – meaning it won’t be thick and clog up pores.

Cons of Shea Butter for Acne

1. Might be heavy for some people. So shea butter has a heavy and waxy consistency. That’s why there are many recipes that include melting down the shea butter and adding other ingredients to it to make it fluffy. So if you’re not a fan of this waxy feel pn your skin, then shea butter might not be for you. Personally, I think it’s moisturizing and makes my skin supple.

Where to Get Shea Butter

I love Better Shea Butter’s Unrefined Shea Butter. It comes in a big packet and carriers a pound of shea butter. It’s soft, so it’s easy to scoop up with clean fingers and apply! It’s one of the best brands of shea butter around if you want a high quality product.

Coconut Oil & Acne – Profile & Pros and Cons

• Scientific Name: Cocos nucifera
• Linolenic Acid Content: 2%
• Comedogenic Rating: 4

Pros of Coconut Oil for Acne

1. Easily penetrates into skin. Coconut oil has MCTs (Medium Chain Triglycerides) that actually penetrate deep into the skin cells. It doesn’t just sit on top of skin like mineral oil or other heavy oils. It goes right in and nourishes skin.
2. Cleanses skin. One reason why people love coconut oil is that it cleanses skin. Yep, you heard that right! People use coconut oil for the Oil Cleansing Method. This is a way of washing your face with oil. It uses the theory that like attracts like. So the good oils (coconut oil) will push out the bad oil (dirty skin sebum) stuck within the pores. This really works. I talk about Oil Cleansing Method in this article.
3. Has antibacterial properties. Coconut oil actually has some antibacterial properties that fight the acne-causing bacteria: Propionibacterium acnes. That’s because it’s rich in Lauric acid, which has been shown to be effective at killing off acne causing bacteria. Here’s the study:
4. Seals moistures into skin. Just like shea butter, coconut oil also seals moisture into skin. You can apply it on your damp face to make it extra hydrating for long lasting moisturizing effects.

Cons of Coconut Oil for Acne

1. Very Comedogenic. This is the biggest disadvantage of using coconut oil for acne – it will clog your pores! It has a comedogenic rating of 4, which is very high on the comedogenic rating scale. So it definitely is going to clog your pores. However, if you use it for Oil Cleansing, whereby you won’t let it stay on your skin, then it can be used without any problems!

Where to Get Coconut Oil

Ensure to get Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil. I love Hamilton Healthcare’s Organic Coconut Oil. It’s so soothing and smells absolutely wonderful!

The Verdict

Shea butter is definitely better than coconut oil for acne. However, if you like coconut oil better for your skin, then definitely use it for Oil Cleansing rather than Moisturizing. In Oil Cleansing, you won’t let the coconut oil stay on your skin and give it a chance of clogging up pores. So if you’re to use coconut oil for acne, then only use it for Oil Cleansing!

I have acne prone skin, and for me, I love using coconut oil for Oil Cleansing! It’s so good trust me! Just make sure to wipe your face to remove the excess coconut oil so it doesn’t clog up pores.