Coconut oil is one of the most popular ingredients for green beauty lovers. This powerfully moisturizing oil has the most delicious scent and truly unique skin and hair benefits. You can even use coconut oil on your lashes, especially if you’re looking for simple nourishment or a natural alternative for makeup removal. In this post, we’ll inform you about all the benefits of coconut oil for eyelashes, how to use it, and also explain what it doesn’t do.
Table of Contents
- Is Coconut Oil Good for Eyelashes?
- Does Coconut Oil Help Eyelashes Grow?
- How to Use Coconut Oil for the Eyelashes?
- Potential Risks and Side Effects
- Coconut Oil vs. Castor Oil vs. Vaseline for Eyelashes
- Additional Tips on Coconut Oil Usage for Eyelashes
- Bottom Line
Is Coconut Oil Good for Eyelashes?
Coconut oil is an unusual oil — it’s solid at room temperature and contains a blend of fatty acids with some very beneficial effects, especially for the hair. Here are some of the reasons why we think it can be good for the lashes.
Penetrative
Unlike many other oils, coconut oil’s unique triglycerides and low molecular weight allow it to penetrate through the hair shaft, which is why it’s so popular in hair care. Since eyelashes are technically hairs, it’s one of the few oils that won’t just coat your lashes but will also penetrate them. Once it sinks in, coconut oil helps fortify the lashes from within.
Prevents Protein Loss
Thanks to its penetrative ability, coconut oil is incredible at keeping protein in the hair, which is the main sort of damage that the hair can experience. Protein loss in the lashes can occur due to washing the face in overly hot water or lifting a lash. It leads to brittleness and may increase the risk of lash breakage.
Coconut oil is proven to prevent protein loss from the hair, especially when compared to mineral oil and sunflower oil. It’s highly recommended for damaged or porous hair and may also help keep the lashes strong and intact.
Soothing
Coconut oil is associated with alleviating inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis. Its soothing components include linoleic acid, lauric acid, and various antioxidants. While it has not been tested on the lashes, inflammation in the line can lead to reduced lash growth so coconut oil may offer some relief.
Antimicrobial
Pathogens can irritate the lash line or cause infections that can impact lash growth. The lauric acid in coconut oil has antimicrobial abilities, which may help prevent some infections.
Research is limited, but one study did find that using coconut oil on the eyes and lashes decreased demodex mite counts, which shows it may have potential as a treatment for blepharitis, which is an eye condition correlated with lash loss.
Conditioning
Oils have a slippery texture that makes them excellent for conditioning the hair. When applied to the lashes, they can add a bit of a sheen and prevent them from getting tangled.
Moisturizing
Coconut oil is also beneficial for the skin of the eyelids and lash line. It fills in gaps between dead skin cells to better trap moisture in the skin. Research shows that it can even help with xerosis or severe dry skin.
The skin around the eyes is often more prone to dryness than the skin on other parts of the face, so coconut oil can provide a nice boost or alternative to eye creams and moisturizers.
Makeup Removal
Most makeup products are formulated to be water-resistant, but most aren’t made to be oil-proof. That’s why many oils can work well as makeup removers, coconut oil included.
Does Coconut Oil Help Eyelashes Grow?
There is no research showing that coconut oil helps eyelashes grow. If you’re hoping for longer, thicker lashes, it’s not the ideal treatment.
It can help with specific issues that can lead to lash loss. For example, its antimicrobial properties may protect from styes or blepharitis, while its fortifying and conditioning abilities may prevent lash breakage.
By comparison, most eyelash serums contain more evidence-backed ingredients. Real research shows they can improve lash density, thickness, and length. The same kind of science doesn’t back coconut oil, so unless you’re experiencing lash loss directly from something coconut oil can fix, don’t expect it to make a difference.
How to Use Coconut Oil for the Eyelashes?
If you’d like to use coconut oil on your eyelashes, here are our tips for getting the most out of it while keeping your lashes healthy.
- The best times to use coconut oil on your eyelashes are either overnight, after you’ve washed your face and applied your moisturizers, or before the shower to protect your lashes from absorbing too much water (something that can lead to brittleness).
- A small amount of coconut oil will do. You can pick it up with a cotton swab, a skincare spoon, or even a disposable mascara wand.
- You can rub the oil between your fingers to melt it if it is too thick.
- Using your cotton swab, mascara wand, or ring finger, gently rub the coconut oil on, using downward motions to avoid putting too much pressure on your lashes.
- If you’re using a mascara wand, you can apply it just as you would mascara.
- That’s it! Now you can leave it on overnight.
- You can also use coconut oil as a makeup remover, especially if you wear waterproof mascara.
- Coat a cotton pad with generous coconut oil and hold it against your eye.
- After 5-10 seconds, carefully wipe downwards to remove the mascara. Keep wiping until our lashes are mascara-free.
- You may want to follow it up with micellar water or cleanser to remove any oil residue.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Coconut oil is quite safe (even right near the eyes), and it’s not associated with any side effects, according to most sources. That said, there are potential things to keep in mind:
- If the coconut oil gets in your eyes, you may experience cloudy vision temporarily.
- Some users find that using products with coconut oil on their skin leads to breakouts or worsens their acne.
- As with many rich moisturizers or oils, coconut oil may contribute to milia (hard keratin plugs that can form around the eyes).
Coconut Oil vs. Castor Oil vs. Vaseline for Eyelashes
Coconut oil competes with castor oil and Vaseline for the most popular eyelash home remedies. But how do these ingredients compare? Here’s a quick rundown.
Compared to castor oil, coconut oil is thicker and more solid at room temperature but can melt into a runny oil. Vaseline is thicker than both and will not dissolve as easily. All three can be a little messy to use, but you may find that one is easier to apply than the others.
Coconut oil is the winner when it comes to penetrating the hair to prevent protein loss. If you experience lash breakage, it’s your best option.
However, when it comes to lash growth, castor oil slightly edges out both coconut oil and Vaseline since limited research suggests that its key constituent might have an impact on the lash growth cycle. All three lack robust evidence, especially when compared to commercial lash serums.
Additional Tips on Coconut Oil Usage for Eyelashes
You should consider a few other things before using coconut oil on your eyelashes.
- Don’t use coconut oil with extensions. Oils can break down the lash extension adhesive, so they’re a big no-no. That said, you can use it when you’re taking an extension break.
- Keep your coconut oil clean! Avoid sticking your fingers in the tub. Use disposable or clean applicators instead.
- If you’re actively dealing with abnormal lash loss or recurrent eye issues, speak to your doctor about treatment. While coconut oil may help with some symptoms, it’s not approved to treat any specific health issues.
Bottom Line
Coconut oil is an incredible ingredient with a lot of beauty benefits. Using coconut oil for the eyelashes can be especially beneficial as a remedy for brittleness, thanks to its ability to penetrate through the hair shaft. Your eyelids and lash line may benefit from its moisturizing, soothing, and antimicrobial effects.
Lastly, remember that it’s not a proven lash growth ingredient. If you’re looking for longer, thicker lashes, consider using a lash serum or give DIY lash extensions a try!
Explore the world of eyelash growth with Lilac St. and learn more articles:
Understanding Eyelash Regrowth: Do Eyelashes Grow Back Naturally?
Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out? 14 Causes and Conditions.
The Truth Revealed: Does Mascara Make Your Eyelashes Fall Out?
Discover Expert Tips on How to Grow Eyelashes.
Enhance Your Lashes: Is Vaseline Good for Eyelashes?
Unlock the Truth: Does Castor Oil Grow Eyelashes?
Does Crying Make Your Eyelashes Longer? Debunking the Myth.
