Coconut Oil for Lips

Known for its moisturizing qualities, Coconut Oil is a popular ingredient among cosmetic and skincare products. As an edible plant oil, it’s not uncommon to find Coconut Oil in lip care products as well. Using a lip care product containing Coconut Oil, like a Coconut Oil lip balm, can help to soothe dry, chapped lips. Read on to learn more about what Coconut Oil is and the benefits it can provide to skin and lips.

Coconut Oil is the oil extracted from the fruit (also known as the nut or kernel) of the coconut palm tree. This comes in several different forms depending on extraction methods, from virgin unrefined Coconut Oil direct from the plant to cold-pressed oil, to more processed varieties¹.  

In its virgin form, Coconut Oil has been used in a variety of ways by tropical and sub-tropical cultures for centuries². Today, Coconut Oil is commonly used topically for skincare due to its moisturizing and emollient properties³. Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 78 degrees Fahrenheit⁴, meaning it can be applied to the skin when solid and melt when warmed by the skin.

While Coconut Oil is not nutrient-rich in terms of vitamins and minerals, it has a high concentration of saturated fats, many in the form of medium-chain fatty acids including: 

• Capric acid 
• Caprylic acid 
• Lauric acid⁵ 
  
  

Fatty acids are beneficial to the skin’s moisture barrier and contribute to helping the skin maintain hydration, making Coconut Oil useful for moisturization of the skin⁶.  

Coconut Oil also contains a variety of polyphenols⁷ (plant-based micronutrients that function as an antioxidant⁸).

Note: If Coconut Oil is used in skincare formulas, not all these benefits will be present in each product. Always refer to product packaging to understand a product’s specific purpose. 

Coconut Oil is considered effective and safe when used as a topical moisturizer⁹ and since it is also an edible oil, it is considered generally safe for use on lips.

Because of its moisturizing and emollient properties, Coconut Oil is an ingredient commonly found in moisturizing lip products, from lipstick to lip balm, lip scrubs, and lip gloss.

Here are some of the key benefits that Coconut Oil may have for lips. 

• Hydration and moisturization: 
  Coconut Oil is an effective emollient, meaning that it helps the skin to retain moisture. Due to its high concentration of fatty acids, Coconut Oil may help to nourish and soothe dry lips.
• Antioxidant properties: 
  Coconut oil is antioxidant-rich and contains several different polyphenols. Antioxidants can help protect the skin against free radicals which can contribute to signs of premature aging in the skin¹⁰. 
  
  

Note: While Coconut Oil is considered generally safe for topical application, as with any product you apply to your skin, be sure to test a small area first and contact a dermatologist if you show any signs of a reaction. While it has shown to be an effective moisturizer, coconut oil has also been shown to have the potential to clog pores, so if you are prone to breakouts, be sure to consult a dermatologist before applying raw coconut oil directly to your skin. 

Both of these nourishing ingredients are commonly found in skin and lip care products, and both are known for their benefits for skin, but what’s the difference between Shea Butter and Coconut Oil?

• Shea Butter and Coconut Oil are both plant-based fats commonly used in skincare.
• Both Shea Butter and Coconut Oil are solid at room temperature and melt on contact with the warmth of the skin, though Coconut Oil has a lower melting point than Shea Butter at approximately 76-78°F. Shea butter is a more solid texture whereas Coconut Oil is more oily.
• Both Coconut Oil and Shea Butter contain fatty acids which give them their firm texture at cooler temperatures.
• Both Coconut Oil and Shea Butter can have a moisturizing effect when applied to the skin.
• Unrefined Coconut Oil has a prominent coconut scent, whereas unrefined Shea Butter has a very mild earthy scent.
• Both Coconut Oil and Shea Butter contain antioxidants.

What it does: Helps to hydrate and moisturize dry skin. 

Application: Coconut Oil can be used in its raw form and applied directly to the skin, but it is a common ingredient in skincare products. Apply and use skincare as directed on packaging.  

Contains: More than 90% saturated fatty acids (a large percentage of which are medium-chain fatty acids), and antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols¹¹. 

Features: Due to its high concentration of medium-chain fatty acids, Coconut Oil can help promote moisturized, smooth-feeling skin, making it a valuable addition to a lip care routine.

Coconut Oil is a nourishing plant-based fat commonly found in hydrating lip care formulas. Celebrated for its moisturizing and emollient qualities, Coconut Oil helps to seal in moisture. Lip care  like Aquaphor® Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired with Coconut Oil help moisturize lips and soothe chapped lips for softer, smoother skin.

Using preservative and fragrance-free Aquaphor® Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired with Coconut Oil for dry lips provides effective, long-lasting moisture to help lips look and feel healthier.

*Based on a 2024 ProVoice survey. 

Aquaphor® Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired with Coconut Oil is proven to relieve dryness and soothes chapped lips. This hydrating lip care is fragrance, preservative and dye-free and is formulated with nourishing vitamins, Coconut Oil, and natural Shea Butter.  

This lip repair stick glides on easily for a smooth application and is great for moisturizing your lips.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:  

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin  
   
2. Improve the appearance of the skin  
   
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin