5 Coconut Milk Benefits for Skin
From nourishing dry skin to soothing sunburn, there are many coconut milk benefits for skin. While we tend to hear a lot about coconut oil, the benefits of coconut milk for skin can be just as good. Packed with essential amino acids and antioxidants, coconut milk is a hydrating, soothing, repairing powerhouse that all skin types can benefit from.
Like coconut oil, coconut milk is made from coconut meat—the white flesh inside a coconut. However, they do go through slightly different processes. While the oil is extracted by pressing the coconut flesh to yield a product rich in fat content, coconut milk follows a different process. Coconut milk is made by blending coconut meat with water and then straining out the solids, resulting in a creamy liquid. This method ensures that coconut milk retains certain nutrients that are present in the coconut meat but are not found in significant amounts in coconut oil.
So, is coconut milk good for your skin? Here are the top coconut milk benefits for skin and the best coconut milk skincare products.
Coconut Milk Benefits for Skin
What can coconut milk do for your skin? Here are all the skincare benefits of 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.
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.
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.
Combats 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.
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.
Shop Coconut Milk Skincare Products
We’ve rounded up the best coconut milk skincare products to let your skin bathe in tropical-scented luxury.
Truly’s Coco Cloud Whipped Shave Butter
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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.
Truly’s Ultimate Coco Cloud Shave Set
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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.
Truly’s Dulce De Leches Routine
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Drench your skin in coconut milk’s hydrating and elasticity-restoring powers with this body firming set. You get: a body polish, serum, and cream formulated with coconut milk, retinol, and hyaluronic acid to drench skin in moisture while tightening sagging skin for an overall tauter appearance. Together, they boost collagen and elastin in the skin for a visibly firmer look and feel. With its just-baked, warm caramel fragrance to serve your curves the lushest, most decadent full body skincare experience.
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.
