Given its many scientifically proven advantages, it’s no surprise that coconut oil has become a mainstay in health and cosmetic products.
The various advantages of coconut oil may also apply to your eyelashes, from hydrating and preserving your skin and hair to possessing antibacterial and antifungal characteristics.
Your eyelashes will grow out fuller and be more resistant to cosmetics and eyelash-style products if you use coconut oil to maintain their health.
KEY TAKEAWAY
✅ If you’re seeking a cheap and generally safe alternative to artificial eyelash growth products, coconut oil is a good choice.
Does coconut oil work well on lashes?
Virgin coconut oil is safe to use near the eyes, according to tests on both humans and animals. Coconut oil can have a dual purpose and improve both your eyelashes and the skin around your eyes in addition to being safe to use in this sensitive area.
Enhanced lashes
There is proof that coconut oil can shield hair from harm caused by styling, hair products, and washing. Although all of the available information focuses on the hair on your head, theoretically it might also apply to the hair on your eyelashes.
According to a study, the fatty acids in coconut oil, particularly lauric acid, appear to make it easier for the hair shaft to absorb coconut oil. This could be the reason why coconut oil seems to offer better and more enduring protection than other oils.
According to one study, using coconut oil on hair either before or after washing helped to protect hair by preventing protein loss. This could shield your eyelashes from harm that might come from cleaning your face or taking off your makeup.
Prevention of bacteria
Your eyelashes naturally contain microorganisms, some of which can result in bacterial and fungal illnesses. Coconut oil and other medium-chain fatty acids contain antibacterial and antifungal characteristics that can defend against them. The strongest medium-chain fatty acid antibacterial activity is exhibited by lauric acid.
Applying coconut oil on the skin surrounding your eyes and your eyelashes may help prevent skin infections like folliculitis, which is an inflammation of the hair follicles.
The good news is especially welcome for mascara users. According to a study, your eyelashes’ germs could contaminate your mascara, especially if you use the same tube for longer than three months.
In the pilot study, which looked at two types of mascara worn daily for three months, 36.4 percent of the tubes had evidence of microbial development. They discovered a variety of creatures, including fungi, Streptococcus species, and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Thicker lashes
Coconut oil can hydrate and shield hair against deterioration and protein loss. This could lead to less eyelash loss, making your lashes appear thicker and fuller, assuming that the same advantages also apply to eyelash hair.
The best way to apply coconut oil on eyelashes
You can apply virgin coconut oil directly to your eyelashes or utilize eyelash serums to put coconut oil on your eyelashes.
Numerous eyelash serums are available for purchase online or in cosmetics stores. Numerous of these serums also include castor, mineral, and essential oils in addition to coconut oil.
One advantage of utilizing an eyelash serum is that it typically comes with an applicator that makes application simple and mess-free. The drawback is that they might not be entirely natural. In addition, depending on the brand, they can be expensive.
Online and in the majority of grocery and health food stores, virgin coconut oil is accessible. Applying it with a clean finger, an eyelash brush, or a mascara wand is simple. You may get disposable mascara wands and eyelash brushes online or in cosmetic stores.
Apply coconut oil with your fingers as follows:
- washing your hands.
- using your index finger, remove a small bit from the container.
- Use your two index fingers to gently work the coconut oil in.
- While your eyes are closed, gently massage the oil along your lash lines.
- Using a mascara wand or eyelash brush to apply
- dunk a fresh brush or wand in a coconut oil container.
While using mascara, carefully apply the oil on your eyelashes.
- Apply on the bottom and top lashes.
- carefully remove any extra oil from your skin or eyelashes using a cotton swab or pad.
Side effects and precautions
Although extremely rare, allergies to coconut and coconut oil are nonetheless a possibility. Although using virgin coconut oil on the skin and around the eyes is typically harmless, you should still take precautions to avoid getting it in your eyes.
Your best bet is to choose 100 percent organic virgin coconut oil because other brands can contain chemicals that could irritate or trigger an allergic reaction.
To remove any extra oil from the area around your eyes, use a clean, wet washcloth. If you accidentally get oil in your eyes and experience any irritation, immediately rinse your eyes with water.
Castor oil versus coconut oil for eyelashes
Castor oil may also have some advantages for hair, similar to coconut oil, but the information is limited to scalp hair rather than eyelash hair. There is some evidence to suggest that castor oil, a common home cure for conditioning and hair growth, may help stop hair loss.
Although coconut oil may be preferable for your eyelashes, castor oil is generally safe. Undiluted castor oil can cause significant skin irritation, according to tests on animals.
A 20-year-old woman’s acute hair felting was discovered to have been caused by castor oil in a case report that was published in the International Journal of Trichology in 2017. Severe hair matting is a defining feature of the unusual scalp hair disease known as “hair felting.”