Waxing, as effective as it is at removing hair, can be painful and can irritate the skin. To combat this, you need to care for your skin after waxing. This goes a long way to ensure your skin stays healthy, smooth and free from irritation. With so many products for post-wax care on the market, how could you possibly know which would be the best one to use?
Can you use coconut oil after waxing? Organic virgin coconut oil is a natural anti-bacterial moisturizer that provides your skin with all the nourishment, care, and protection it needs after waxing.
The greatest part about it all is that it is a natural substance, and has so many other uses, both at home and for beauty.
The Benefits of Coconut Oil After Waxing
Most homes have a tub of coconut oil tucked away in the pantry, to be used for many different things such as baking and cooking, but it can be used for health and skin care as well.
The beauty benefits of coconut oil are quite substantial and make this basic, natural product quite powerful when used in your beauty routine.
Face – Coconut oil is a base product in many facial products, due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is composed of nourishing fatty acids and is high in lauric acids. Coconut oil also contains vitamin E and other healthy fats, which work to make the skin smooth and youthful-looking. A powerful moisturizer, coconut oil can keep the skin hydrated for up to 24-hours. Containing vitamin E and vitamin A, coconut oil slows down the aging process, protecting the skin from free radicals and damage done by the sun.
Body – Coconut oil is also a great moisturizer to use on the body, especially after shaving or waxing. It has anti-oxidant properties that treat different skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. It helps to restore the skin’s natural PH levels, which helps to promote smooth and silky skin. Many body butters, lotions, creams, and post-wax products have a coconut oil base, nourishing and protecting the skin.
Hair – Yes, coconut oil can be used for the hair as well! It helps to salvage moisture to dry and parched hair. It is able to penetrate inside the hair shaft more than other oils, as it has a fatty acid structure and a low molecular weight. Using coconut oil regularly for the hair nourishes strengthens and protects the hair, reducing protein loss and damage done by coloring and styling.
Soaking – You can add some coconut oil to your bath in order to moisturize your body from head to toe. After the bath, your skin will be left revitalized, supple and soft, reaping all the benefits that coconut oil has to offer.
Pre- and Post-Wax Care With Coconut Oil
The coconut oil aspect of waxing only comes in at the end, but it is important to follow all the steps of waxing properly to ensure you are giving the coconut oil the right canvas to work its magic on.
There are so many different benefits of coconut oil, with these just being a few of the wonderful things that coconut oil does to help with your skin and health.
Here are some tips to follow before waxing, and then some aftercare tips that involve using the coconut oil!
Before Waxing
- Stop shaving at least two weeks before waxing, but stopping even sooner is better. Two weeks hair growth is the minimum length your hair should be in order to be waxed effectively, around ¼-inch to 1/3-inch long.
- Avoid trimming your hair with an electric razor. If you feel that you absolutely must, then use a razor guard that leaves you with ½-inch of hair growth. It is fine to trim your hair with an electric razor or scissors, as long as enough hair growth is left to wax.
- It is so important to exfoliate with a body scrub or an exfoliating washcloth a few days before the waxing. Use a circular motion to remove dead skin cells and debris that are blocking the follicles.
- You should moisturize your skin leading up to the waxing appointment, and using coconut oil is a great option. Moisturizing leading up to the wax helps to prevent breakouts and keeps the skin protected from drying out after waxing. Moisturizing beforehand also prevents ingrown hairs by stopping the follicles from being too dry for the hair to grow out.
- Keep up a good water intake (always) but mainly during the 48 hours before and after your wax. Your skin needs to be well-hydrated, as wax sticks to drier skin more than hydrated skin, so not drinking enough water can lead to the waxing being more painful!
- If you have a low pain threshold or sensitive skin, it might be a good idea to take ibuprofen or other pain management before the waxing session. It will help a little with the pain, but will also reduce inflammation and reduce recovery time.
- Shower the day of your waxing anytime is fine, it doesn’t necessarily have to be right before your appointment. This helps to remove bacteria from your skin which could cause you to break out with folliculitis after the wax.
- Do not go for a wax if you have a sunburn, this is just a no-no and will damage your skin and be really, really painful.
After Waxing
- Use coconut oil to moisturize your skin after a wax. Coconut oil helps to immediately calm the skin and quicken the healing process. You should continue to apply coconut oil to your skin daily after your wax.
- Avoid any situations that might make your skin open to bacteria such as hot tubs, tight clothing or bathing. Your hair follicles will be opened up after the waxing, and you need to allow them to heal while clean to avoid any infection or irritation.
- You should exfoliate your skin a few days after waxing using an exfoliating washcloth or gentle body scrub. This will help unblock your hair follicles from dead skin cells or debris, which can lead to ingrown hairs. It is so important to continue to exfoliate your skin, even after your hair starts growing back.
- Moisturize your skin regularly with coconut oil well after your waxing. It will prevent breakouts and ingrown hairs, and keep your skin silky smooth and hydrated.
Following these very important steps will be key to healthy skin and to preventing irritation and ingrown hairs, which can be an absolute pain to deal with.
The Best Coconut Oil For Waxing
There are some really wonderful coconut oils available on the market, and some that aren’t so great. The best option is to go as natural as possible, to ensure there are no hidden ingredients that might irritate the skin.
Coconut oil is suited for sensitive skin, making it a great all-round product, but choosing the right coconut oil will ensure that you are giving your skin the best care and protection possible and that you are purchasing a coconut oil that can be used for many different things!
1. Coco & Co Raw Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
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Completely raw and organic, this coconut oil from Coco & Co is as safe as you will get. It is one of the few high-grade coconut oils that are suited for health and beauty, without any harsh additives.
The texture is non-greasy and is super-fine with a silky feel that allows for fast absorption. The oil has no foul odor or taste and is fragrance and taste-free.
There is also no discoloration of the pure coconut oil, with it having 100% purity.
This pure coconut oil contains super amounts of proteins and vitamin E to protect and nourish skin and hair naturally. The fatty acids in the coconut oil shrink the appearance of fine lines and pores and smooths the skin out, restoring and rehydrating the moisture in the skin.
This is one of the purest and versatile coconut oils to use and will fulfill many of your beauty and health needs.
2. All Good Organic Coconut Oil Skin Food
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Offering deep moisture through the indulgence of pure coconut oil, the All Organic Skin Food will leave skin moisturized and glowing.
The coconut oil is 100% USDA certified and made with organic, cold-pressed, unrefined and virgin coconuts.
It is free from any harmful chemicals and full of beneficial oils that are so important in coconut oil. It is GMO-free, vegan, gluten-free and biodegradable.
There are other coconut oils in the range that include pure essential oils such as lemongrass or lavender, which add a more luxurious experience when using the coconut oil to nourish the skin.
3. JE Coco & Co Organic Coconut Oil
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This extra virgin coconut oil is certified 100% organic and is as pure as they come. It contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The coconut oil is cold-pressed, obtained from organic coconut kernels, where the oil from the coconut meat is pressed at temperatures not exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit, preserving all the important natural nutrients.
The virgin coconut oil has everything you need for the best skincare, both before and after waxing and can be used for so many different situations as well.
4. Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
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Made from fresh, organic coconut, and cold-pressed to preserve natural nutrients, this natural coconut oil will leave skin hydrated, nourished and protected.
It is a nutrient-rich skincare treatment that acts as a luscious lotion for nutrient-rich hydration, with no greasy or sticky feel that non-natural coconut oils leave behind.
To make the product even more desirable, the coconut oil is made from sustainably harvested coconut and contains no harmful chemicals, pesticides or other additives that might irritate or harm sensitive skin.
It is a pure as coconut oil comes, and will be a great additive to skincare after waxing.
5. Viva Naturals Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil
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This is the ultimate coconut oil for skincare—it is really versatile, ready to be used for your skin, your hair, massage oil or as a carrier oil
It is colorless, mild and completely natural. You can use it plain, or you can add a couple of drops of your own essential oil to boost it up a bit.
It is certified 100% USDA organic and is free from pesticides, fragrances, additives, and preservatives. It is pure coconut magic.
The delivery of the coconut oil makes it such a pleasure to use, with a no-drip pump that can be used daily with no mess.
With all the antioxidants, caprylic acid and essential fatty acids you could want, this pump-action coconut oil is an absolute treat to use.
6 Useful Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Skincare
Here are some super useful ways that you can really make the most of your coconut oil at home, using it time and time again for superb skincare that brings extra nourishment, protection and moisture to even the driest and most sensitive of skin.
After waxing or shaving – As stated earlier, coconut oil is perfect to use for post-wax care. It contains three saturated fatty acids – lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, all of which have strong disinfectant and antimicrobial properties, which work to prevent rashes, inflammation, irritation and ingrown hairs after waxing. It also brings a healthy dose of hydration to the skin which enables the skin to recover after a wax.
As a moisturizer – Being composed mainly of saturated fats, coconut oil works well to retain the moisture concentration in the body, leaving the skin smooth and healthy. The natural fatty acids moisturize the body and the face and are ideal to be used on dry skin, relieving irritation without leaving a greasy feel after the application.
Lips – Coconut oil does well to relieve and prevent dry and cracked lips. Applied to the lips several times a day, coconut oil can help to keep them moist and supple.
Makeup remover – Ditch the expensive makeup removal products and opt for coconut oil. It leaves no sticky residue behind and can be used by applying a small amount of coconut oil to a cotton pad and used to wipe over the makeup on the face, before being removed with some warm water. As it is a non-irritant, it can be used to remove makeup in the eye area with the risk of redness or irritation.
The Dos and Don’ts Of Waxing Skin Care
To achieve smooth skin after waxing, you will need to protect and nourish your skin for all the days after hair removal. If you do not, you risk bumps, rashes, and infections which could not only be painful but can ruin the look of your newly waxed legs completely.
The below dos and don’ts point out what you should do, and should not do, to make the most out of your freshly waxed legs.
- Do remove excess wax – Remove all excess wax from your skin using coconut oil, making sure even the sticky residue is removed. Leaving any residual wax on the skin can stop the skin from healing properly, and prevent the coconut oil from penetrating deep into the skin for ultimate moisture.
- Do use a cold compress – A cold compress can further soothe and calm the skin after a waxing session, which will reduce pain and inflammation of the skin. It also helps to kick start the healing process and prevents any further irritation that might be caused by waxing.
- Do use a moisturizer – Once again, coconut oil is your best bet for the ultimate moisturization and hydration. Coconut oil will help to put moisture back into the skin after an intense waxing session, which does dry out the skin.
- Do moisturize for the days following a wax – You should not only apply coconut oil after the wax but continue to do so for the days and weeks following a wax. The coconut oil will continue to help fight off bacteria and inflammation and does help to soothe the skin if any irritation does occur in the days following.
- Do not expose your skin to sunlight – After your waxing session, your skin will be very sensitive. You should try your best to avoid sunlight for at least 48 hours after the waxing, to protect it from any further damage that could be done by the sun.
- Do not use harsh soap – Many household soaps contain harmful ingredients that can really irritate freshly waxed skin. Avoid using normal soaps, and instead opt for natural soaps that are formulated with butters and creams, and even coconut oil, which will be gentle on the skin and not run the risk of harming your very sensitive skin.
- Do not use deodorant – If you try to apply deodorant to freshly waxed skin, you will more than likely find that it is incredibly painful. It can also damage the skin and cause irritation.
Related Questions
Can I use coconut oil before waxing?
Coconut oil is a wonderful choice to use before waxing, or as a maintenance moisturizer to use after waxing, leading up to your next waxing appointment. It helps the skin remain hydrated and moisturized, which does help reduce the pain felt when waxing.
Dry skin adheres to waxing more than hydrated skin, which hurts a whole lot more when the wax strip is pulled off the skin. It also helps to calm irritation and soothe any bumps and ingrown hairs, while providing natural moisture that is free from harmful chemicals and other irritating ingredients.
Can coconut oil help with wax bumps?
You should use coconut oil if you are experiencing wax bumps, which are small red bumps on the skin that appear a few days after waxing. This is often caused by bacteria entering the hair follicles, which causes irritation and inflammation.
Coconut oil has wonderful antibacterial properties, so it will soothe the irritated skin and help to protect and fight against the red bumps when they appear.
Can I use coconut oil in sensitive areas?
As long as you are not prone to acne or breakouts, coconut oil is fine to use on sensitive skin. It contains no harmful additives, if you are buying virgin coconut oil, and will not have any negative effects on the skin.
If you are prone to acne and breakouts, you should avoid using coconut oil on your face as it could clog your pores which then increases the risk of breakouts.
Does coconut oil remove wax?
What makes coconut oil great as a post-wax care product, is that it will help to remove any residual wax, as well as hydrating and nourishing the skin.
If there is wax leftover on the skin, smooth some coconut oil over the area and wipe it off with a warm cloth. This should help remove the wax and sticky residue that is often left behind with waxing.
Should I use baby powder when waxing?
Baby powder is good to use if your skin is slightly moist or damp before waxing. Applying baby powder to the area prevents the wax from sticking to the skin and instead allows it to only adhere to the hair, which helps to make the waxing process slightly less painful. It also increases the effectiveness of the waxing session, and hopefully, all of the hair will be removed in one go.
Coconut Oil After Waxing
Coconut oil is one of the magic natural products that can do just about anything and can be used just about anywhere. You should not have a hard time finding coconut oil near you, and if you can’t, there are so many ways to purchase virgin coconut oil online.
With anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, coconut oil works to protect and soothe the skin after a wax, promoting the healing process and helping the skin to feel normal sooner.
Containing saturated fatty acids, coconut oil will also give your skin the ultimate hydration and nourishment it needs to look and feel wonderfully healthy, allowing you to enjoy your silky smooth legs!
