How to Shave Your Bikini Area with Coconut Oil

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: March 15, 2023 References

If you use coconut oil for moisturizing your hair or your skin, you’ve probably thought about using it as a shaving cream. While experts normally suggest using coconut oil as a moisturizer, you can make a shaving cream out of coconut oil to incorporate it into your shaving routine.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} In this article, we’ll tell you how to make a whipped coconut shaving cream and also how you can use coconut oil before and after you shave for hydrated, silky smooth skin.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (64 g) of coconut oil
1/2 cup (64 g) of shea butter

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Coconut Shaving Cream

1
Make a double boiler with a pot of water and a bowl. Fill up a large pot with water and set it on your broiler. Add a glass bowl on top, making sure the bowl balances on the edge of the pot. Turn your heat on high and wait for the water to boil before you start adding in your ingredients.^{[2]
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- Always use a glass bowl, not plastic or metal. Glass bowls are safe to heat up, and they won’t leech anything into your shaving cream.
- This DIY recipe hasn’t been verified by dermatologists, so use caution if you plan to make it. If you have sensitive skin, test the shaving cream on a small patch of skin before using it to ensure it doesn’t cause any irritation.
2
Add 1/2 cup (64 g) of coconut oil. Make sure you’re using pure, unrefined coconut oil without any added ingredients. Measure out your coconut oil, then drop it into the bowl, keeping the pot on high heat. You may see the coconut oil start to melt into a liquid, which is a good thing!^{[3]
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- Pure coconut oil always comes in solid form. If your coconut oil is liquid at room temperature, it’s not pure coconut oil.
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3
Mix in 1/2 cup (64 g) of shea butter. Shea butter is nourishing and moisturizing, and it will help your razor glide along your skin. Measure out your pure shea butter and add it into the bowl along with your coconut oil. They’re the same consistency, so they may start to melt into each other.^{[4]
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4
Let your mixture sit on the heat for a few minutes. Your ingredients will start to liquefy almost right away. You don’t even need to stir them! Wait for about 2 to 3 minutes until your mixture is completely liquid.^{[5]
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- It will most likely be a clear-ish yellow color.
5
Remove the bowl from the heat, then let it sit for 10 minutes. It’s important to solidify your mixture again before mixing it up to get that light, fluffy texture. Take your bowl off the heat and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, or stick it in the fridge for about 5 minutes.^{[6]
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6
Whip the mixture with a hand mixer until it’s light and fluffy. Point your hand mixer down into the glass bowl so your mixture doesn’t splash up at you. Turn the mixer on low and gently stir your shaving cream for 2 to 3 minutes until it turns white and looks fluffy. After that, your shaving cream is ready to go!^{[7]
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- Store your shaving cream in an airtight container with a lid, and try to keep it in a cool, dry place. With proper storage, your shaving cream will last for 3 to 5 months.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Shaving

1
Wet your skin with warm water. Warm water helps open up your pores and soften your skin. It can also help soften your pubic hair and make for an easier, closer shave. You can either stand in the shower for a few minutes or wet a washcloth with warm water and hold it against your pubic area.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- If your pubic hair is long or you’ve never shaved before, consider trimming your pubic hair with scissors before you start. Work carefully, and use a hand mirror to see what you’re doing to avoid any injury.
2
Apply a thin layer of shaving cream to your bikini area. While your skin is still damp, grab your coconut shaving cream and slather a thin layer all over your pubic hair. With shaving cream, it’s better to use too much than too little, so don’t be shy!^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Shaving cream helps your razor glide smoothly over your skin. Without it, you’re more prone to razor bumps and irritation.
3
Shave in the direction that the hair grows. Hold your skin taut with one hand and grab your razor in the other. Take a look at your pubic hair and notice which direction the hair grows (usually, it grows pointing downward toward your feet). Use short strokes to remove the pubic hair, going in the same direction of your hair.^{[10]
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- Shaving with the grain of your hair reduces irritation and the chance of ingrown hairs. It might not give you quite as close of a shave, but your skin will be much smoother and less bumpy afterward.
- Always use a new, sharp razor when shaving your bikini line. Experts recommend changing your razor every 5 to 7 shaves, or more if you have sensitive skin.^{[11]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
4
Rinse your razor after each swipe. Coconut oil shaving cream is very thick, and it can clog your razor. After every swipe, rinse your razor with warm water to remove the shaving cream and any hair.^{[12]
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5
Rinse your shaving cream off completely when you’re done. After your pubic hair is gone, aim the shower stream at your bikini line and rinse off. Use your fingers to gently scrub your bikini area and ensure that all of the shaving cream is gone. Use lukewarm water, not hot, to reduce irritation.^{[13]
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- Some experts recommend doing a final rinse with cool water to close your pores. If you’re prone to irritation, you can try rinsing with cool water before you get out of the shower.
6
Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Your skin is going to be sensitive, so be gentle as you dry off. Pat your skin dry until it’s damp, but not completely dry, to hydrate and refresh your skin with water. Always follow up with a moisturizer to soothe your skin after shaving.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Coconut Oil Skincare

1
Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your bikini line before you shave. Coconut oil can help soften your skin and your pubic hair. Before you shave, grab a thin layer of pure coconut oil and spread it onto your bikini line. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before you wet the area and start shaving.^{[15]
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- Pure coconut oil always comes in a solid form, so you’ll probably have to warm it up in your hands for a few minutes before it’s spreadable.
- You can also do this with baby oil or pure mineral oil.
2
Moisturize your skin with coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used to soften and hydrate your vulva and bikini area. You can use a thin layer as often as you need to for hydration and moisturization.^{[16]
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Research source} Coconut oil can also help reduce razor bumps and irritation.
- You can also use extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil.
3
Avoid using coconut oil if you’re prone to acne or clogged pores. Coconut is comedogenic, which means that it can clog pores.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} If you’re prone to ingrown hairs or acne on your bikini line, find a non-comedogenic moisturizer that won’t clog your pores to reduce your chance of irritation.^{[18]
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- When you apply coconut oil, keep it on the outside of your vulva, and try not to get it inside of your vagina. Coconut oil can cause irritation.