Many people want to know the answer to the question, ‘Is shea butter more moisturizing than coconut oil?’ So to answer the question, let’s start digging up some facts, shall we?!
The Good and Bad of Coconut Oil
Okay first up…coconut oil (where to get it). It’s amazing. White, rich and creamy. Hailed as a cure-all for many ailments including skin problems. But what makes it so special as a moisturizer? Let’s see –
The Good
✾ Great consistency – One of the reasons coconut oil is most loved in the skin care world is because of its great consistency. It’s super creamy and soft and oh-so nice when applied on skin. Just slide it on your tired skin and feel soothed instantly!
✾ Medium chain fatty acids – Also known as MCT’s, coconut oil is full of them! They’re super moisturizing and really keep skin hydrated because they penetrate deep into the skin pores.
✾ Works perfect on dry skin – If you have dry skin, you can apply some coconut oil on your skin and voila! It’s moisturized. Some people say coconut oil dries their skin…but I don’t know how they claim that because for me, it instantly lubricates the tight painful skin on my hands.
The Bad
✾ Some people fight it drying – As mentioned above, some people find that when they apply coconut oil, their skin feels ‘dry’ instead of moisturized.
✾ Not good for acne – Coconut oil is not good for those with acne. That’s because it has a comedogenic rating of 2-4, which is high. It can clog your pores and cause breakouts. So if you’ve got acne, don’t use coconut oil.
The Good and Bad of Shea Butter
So we all love shea butter (where to get it) at www.ilovesheabutter.com but for this post, we have to be unbiased! So let’s check out the pros and cons of shea butter as a moisturizer:
Pros
✾ It’s a superior moisturizer – People rave about shea butter because it does its job really well. It lubricates skin on a whole new level with its creamy waxy texture.
✾ Seals moisture into skin – When you apply shea butter on damp skin before patting it dry, you’ll seal moisture into it. And this will keep your skin moisturized FOR HOURS! Shea butter is an amazing sealant, which makes it a great moisturizer.
✾ Rich in vitamins and fatty acids – Shea butter has vitamin A, E and K which are good for reducing scars, stretch marks and dark circles. It’s fatty acids form a heavy barrier that protect skin from the harsh elements.
Cons
✾ Some people hate the waxy feeling – They say it feels too waxy and needs to be whipped first before use.
✾ You may have to soften it before use – You know how coconut oil has a creamy texture that you can easily scoop up? Unless you live in Alaska, where you’re coconut oil is rock hard. Well shea butter’s texture is a bit thicker and harder. So some people prefer first melting then whipping it to make it softer. That’s why there are a lot of shea butter cream recipes out there!
The Final Verdict – Is Shea Butter More Moisturizing than Coconut Oil?
It’s personal preference, to be honest. Test the two out and see what’s good for you.
BUT for majority of people I’ve met: Shea butter is more moisturizing than coconut oil!!! And why? Because it’s non-acne causing, seals moisture deep into the skin, and has a nice waxy feeling on skin that keeps it lubricated.
Hey How About Using them Together?!
Yes, my friends that’s a brilliant idea! When you love two things at the same time, what’s better than happily combing them together?! Check out my Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Mix!
What do you think? Is shea butter more moisturizing than coconut oil for you?
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