Black seed oil
What black seed oil is, how to use it on skin and hair, what the research really shows, and how to choose and store it safely.
Coconut oil for hair and skin: benefits, limits and safe use
What coconut oil can do for hair and dry skin, where it can cause problems, and how to use, choose and store it on holiday.
Coconut oil is a rich body moisturiser and a useful treatment for hair before washing. It can also clog pores, so most people should keep it off the face and off acne-prone skin. This guide is for visitors who want to use it safely on holiday or take it home.
What is coconut oil?
Coconut oil is extracted from the white flesh, or kernel, of mature coconuts from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). It is a highly saturated fat, and about half of it is lauric acid.
Coconut oil is solid and white in a cool room and turns into a clear liquid when warm. Both forms are normal.
Unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil is made without heat. For skin care, Cleveland Clinic advises choosing pure, unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil.
We stock Lotus coconut oil, made by TNG, a cosmetics company founded in Egypt. The box says “100% Natural” and holds 125 ml.
What the research says about hair
In a laboratory study, coconut oil reduced protein loss from both damaged and undamaged hair. It worked when used before and after washing. Sunflower oil and mineral oil did not have this effect.
Researchers think the reason is lauric acid. Its molecules are small and straight, so coconut oil can get inside the hair shaft.
This study used hair samples, not people. It suggests coconut oil may help protect hair during washing. It does not show that coconut oil makes hair grow.
What the research says about skin
In a clinical trial, coconut oil worked as well as mineral oil as a moisturiser for mild to moderate dry skin. It was just as safe.
A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist explains that coconut oil can reduce water loss from the skin. This helps skin that tends to be dry.
Limits: when coconut oil is not a good idea
- Face and acne-prone skin. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. It can trigger spots, blackheads and whiteheads. If you get acne, also keep it off your shoulders, chest and back.
- Under the eyes. Where the skin is thin, it may cause milia, which are tiny white bumps.
- Fresh sunburn. Oil can trap heat in the skin in the early stage of sunburn. Wait until the heat and swelling have gone. Our sunburn guide explains what to do first.
- Sun protection. Coconut oil is not a sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Safety
- Patch test. Natural oils can cause allergies too. Test coconut oil on the inside of your elbow for 7 to 10 days before using it widely.
- Eyes. Keep it away from your eyes.
- Children. Ask our pharmacist before using it on a baby or child.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ask your doctor before you start a new product.
- By mouth. Only eat an oil if its label says it is for food use.
If a rash or itching starts, wash the oil off and stop using it.
How to use coconut oil
On hair, before washing
- If the oil is solid, warm the bottle in your hands or in warm water.
- Massage a small amount into the lengths and ends of your hair.
- Leave it on for a while, then wash it out with shampoo.
- Use a little. Thick layers of oil can make hair look greasy and heavy.
On the body
- After a shower, smooth a small amount over damp skin.
- Focus on dry areas such as elbows, knees, hands and feet.
On lips and for make-up
Use a tiny amount on dry lips. To remove make-up, wipe it off with a little oil on a cotton pad. Then wash your face with a gentle, water-based cleanser to avoid clogged pores.
How to choose and store it
- Look for coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) as the only ingredient, if you want a pure oil.
- Choose unrefined, cold-pressed oil if you prefer oil made without heat.
- Check whether it is labelled for food use, and only eat it if it is.
- Check the expiry date and that the seal is unbroken.
Keep the bottle closed, in a cool, dark place, away from direct sun. If the oil smells sour or changes colour, stop using it.
See a doctor urgently if: your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell after using the oil. Get help at once if you struggle to breathe or swallow, or suddenly feel very dizzy, confused or faint. In Egypt, call 123 for an ambulance. See a doctor soon if a rash spreads, blisters or affects your eyes or mouth.
Need help in Sharm?
Ask about Lotus coconut oil on WhatsApp or call +20 120 344 2201. Our pharmacists speak English, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian. See our hair care products and other Egyptian natural oils, or order with free hotel delivery on orders from $30.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is coconut oil good for hair?
In a laboratory study, coconut oil reduced protein loss from hair when used before and after washing, while sunflower and mineral oil did not. This suggests it can help protect hair during washing. It is not proven to make hair grow. Use a small amount and wash it out with shampoo.
Can I use coconut oil on my face?
A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist generally advises against it. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores and cause spots, blackheads and whiteheads. It may also cause tiny white bumps under the eyes. Use it on your body instead, especially on dry areas such as elbows, knees and feet.
Does coconut oil protect skin from the sun?
No. Coconut oil is not a sunscreen. In Sharm's strong sun, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it as the label says. Do not put coconut oil on fresh, hot sunburn, because oil can trap heat in the skin at that stage.
Why is my coconut oil solid?
Coconut oil turns solid and white in a cool room, for example with air conditioning, and melts into a clear liquid when it is warm. This is normal. To melt it, warm the bottle in your hands or in warm water. Check the smell and the expiry date before you use it.
Sources and further reading (9)
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils — Int J Mol Sci (2017)
- Hair Cosmetics: An Overview — Int J Trichology (2015)
- Should You Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin? — Cleveland Clinic
- Tips for Treating a Peeling Sunburn — Cleveland Clinic
- Is Aloe Vera Good for Sunburn? (sunscreen advice) — Cleveland Clinic
- Could You Be Allergic to Your Skin Care Products? — Cleveland Clinic
- About us: TNG Cosmetics, maker of Lotus Natural Oils
- Anaphylaxis — NHS
- Getting help — Egypt travel advice — GOV.UK
Last updated 8 October 2026. General information, not a diagnosis: always read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist or doctor.
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