5 Coconut Milk Benefits for Skin
From nourishing dry skin to soothing sunburn, there are so many coconut milk benefits for skin.
You’ve likely heard about coconut oil, but coconut milk for skin is just as beneficial—if not more. Rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and skin-repairing nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, it helps restore moisture, calm irritation, and support overall skin health. Unlike coconut oil, which is purely fat, coconut milk contains additional vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen the skin barrier and promote a smoother, more even complexion.
So, what are the benefits of coconut milk for skin? Ahead, we explore both the benefits of drinking coconut milk for skin—and the benefits of applying it topically, too.
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Coconut Milk Benefits for Skin
What can coconut milk do for your skin? Here are all the skincare benefits of coconut milk when applied topically to your skin.
1. Coconut Milk Hydrates Skin
Coconut milk is nutrient-dense and high in fat, allowing it to smooth skin cells and seal in hydration. Packed with MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) like lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid, coconut milk acts as a natural emollient, meaning it penetrates deep into the skin’s layers, sealing in moisture and preventing water loss.
The fatty acids in coconut milk not only hydrate the skin but also help to retain moisture. By forming a barrier on the skin’s surface, coconut milk prevents water from evaporating, thereby maintaining optimal hydration levels.
This is especially beneficial for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin, as it provides a continuous source of moisture throughout the day. Incorporating coconut milk into your skincare routine helps to replenish moisture and maintain optimal hydration levels.
2. Coconut Milk Soothes Sunburn
Coconut milk can provide relief to sore, sunburned skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, coconut milk provides an instant cooling sensation, which can help alleviate the discomfort associated with sunburn. Plus, it’s full of essential nutrients that work to heal and repair the skin.
Since sunburned skin tends to become dry and flaky due to the loss of moisture from the upper layers of the skin, coconut milk can help replenish moisture and ultimately promote healing.
3. Coconut Milk Eases Irritation
Itchy or bumpy after shaving? Or maybe you’ve just got sensitive skin that flares up when using most skincare products, especially exfoliators? Either way, coconut milk can help. As a powerful anti-inflammatory with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, coconut milk soothes red, irritated skin and itchiness while preventing painful bumps (like ingrown hairs).
Coconut milk is a must in your shaving routine. Why? Because it soothes, hydrates, and heals. From razor burn to ingrown hairs, dryness to redness and itching, coconut milk cures all—and prevents all these painful shaving scenarios.
Some dermatologists say coconut milk can even ease symptoms associated with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. If you have one of these skin conditions, however, we recommend consulting your dermatologist before using new products.
4. Coconut Milk Can Combat Acne
Coconut milk benefits for skin don’t end there. It can also help with acne. Coconut milk contains lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid with antibacterial properties. Lauric acid can help combat the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which is one of the main culprits behind acne breakouts. By reducing the population of acne-causing bacteria on the skin, coconut milk may help prevent and manage acne.
Unlike heavy creams or lotions that can clog pores and exacerbate acne, coconut milk is lightweight and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t block pores. It provides hydration to the skin without leaving a greasy residue, making it suitable for those with acne-prone skin.
5. Coconut Milk is Anti-Aging
Rich in vitamins C and E, coconut milk supports collagen synthesis and protects against oxidative damage, essential for maintaining skin’s firmness. Medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid provide deep hydration, strengthening the skin barrier and preventing moisture loss. Antioxidants in coconut milk combat free radicals, preserving skin elasticity and youthfulness.
Additionally, coconut milk's alpha hydroxy acids gently exfoliate, removing dead skin cells to reveal smoother skin and stimulate collagen production.
Best Coconut Milk Skincare Products
We’ve rounded up the best coconut milk products to let your skin bathe in tropical-scented luxury.
Named Best Shave Butter by Cosmopolitan, this ultra-luxe formula gives your entire body a tall drink of coconut milk for a smoother, silkier shave without redness, irritation, or bumps. It’s also enriched with shea butter, argan oil, and white tea to enhance its hydrating and healing powers.
By softening skin and hair, this buttery shave cream maximizes razor glide for the easiest shave ever. Plus, it feels and smells incredible on your skin—like tropical paradise.
Get all the cult-fave Coco Cloud formulas in one bundle, plus the cutest blue cloud bag. It features our award-winning Coco Cloud Shave Butter, plus the Coco Cloud After Serum, Moisturizer, and five-blade, aloe-infused razor.
Basically, everything you need for the silkiest shave of your dreams. Powered by a nourishing blend of coconut milk, argan oil, and vitamin E to help ease redness and irritation while preventing ingrowns.
What is Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk is a nutrient-rich, creamy liquid derived from the flesh of mature coconuts, packed with essential amino acids, antioxidants, and skin-loving minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Known for its hydrating, soothing, and repairing properties, coconut milk is a powerhouse ingredient that benefits all skin types while also being a popular alternative to cow’s milk for those with lactose intolerance.
Like coconut oil, coconut milk is made from coconut meat—the white flesh inside a coconut. However, their production processes differ. Coconut oil is extracted by pressing the coconut flesh to yield a product rich in saturated fat and lipids, while coconut milk is made by blending coconut meat with coconut water and then straining out the solids. This process retains important nutrients that are beneficial for both skin health and overall well-being.
Is Coconut Milk Good for Skin?
Absolutely! Thanks to its high content of hydrating lipids, essential vitamins, and minerals like selenium and phosphorus, coconut milk helps restore the skin barrier, combat dryness, and promote a healthy glow. It’s commonly found in skincare products for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for sensitive and irritated skin.
What are the Benefits of Drinking Coconut Milk for Skin?
Beyond skincare, there are many health benefits of coconut milk. Packed with healthy fats, essential minerals like magnesium and potassium, and skin-loving antioxidants, coconut milk helps keep your skin hydrated, supple, and glowing. Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties may promote a clearer complexion.
Coconut milk is a nutrient-rich, dairy-free alternative used in smoothies, soups, and other recipes. It promotes better digestion, heart health, and balanced cholesterol levels, making it a smart addition to your diet.
Whether you’re applying it topically or drinking it, coconut milk delivers powerful benefits for your skin and overall health. Just make sure you choose unsweetened coconut milk.
How to Use Coconut Milk for Skin
To enjoy the coconut milk benefits for skin you can either look for it within skincare products like cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. Alternatively, you can use DIY coconut milk for skin.
As a Cleanser/Makeup Remover: Apply coconut milk directly to clean skin using a cotton pad or your fingertips. Gently massage it into the skin in circular motions until fully absorbed. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. This method provides hydration and nourishment to the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
DIY Face Masks: Mix coconut milk with other natural ingredients to create homemade face masks tailored to your skin’s needs. For example, combine coconut milk with honey for added hydration and antibacterial properties, or mix it with mashed avocado for a moisturizing and soothing mask. Apply the mask to clean skin, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
As a Moisturiser: To keep skin soft and supple, look for coconut milk in creams, lotions and serums. These hydrating products should be packed full of coconut milk to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin while strengthening the skin’s protective barrier.
Besides being good for your skin, coconut milk has health benefits including improving heart health, decreasing inflammation, and promoting weight loss. It can support your overall health. What’s more, you can also use coconut milk as a hair care product in hair masks and conditioners to promote hair growth, prevent hair fall, and repair damaged hair while diminishing dandruff.
Now you know the coconut milk benefits for skin and where to shop the best coconut milk products, stock up on your coconut-y faves and look forward to smoother, softer skin that smells DELICIOUS.
