Coconut Oil: The Ultimate DIY Guide and Recipes
To use coconut oil in DIY recipes, warm it gently until it is liquid, then stir it in with other oils or melt it together with shea butter. Baraka's recipes below use it as a pre-wash hair treatment, in body butters and foot creams, and as a hard, lathering oil in soap. This guide gives ten recipes with exact amounts, what each ingredient does, and how to change the texture.
Quick answers
How to use coconut oil in diy recipes: warm it, blend it, match it to the job
In Baraka's recipes, coconut oil works best as a pre-wash hair treatment, in soap making for hardness and lather, in body butters to make them softer and quicker to absorb, and in foot creams and hand balms. It is solid below about 75°F (24°C), so warm it gently until liquid, then stir it in with other oils or melt it together with shea butter. For daily face use, baobab oil or shea oil are lighter choices. More in How to use coconut oil in diy recipes
How to use coconut oil in diy recipes: warm it, blend it, match it to the job
Start with the state of the oil. Coconut oil melts at about 75°F (24°C). In a cool room it is a firm white solid. In a warm room it is a clear liquid. Neither is wrong, but your recipe will behave differently, so always melt it fully before you blend.
Melt it gently. Set a heat-proof bowl over a pan of simmering water and warm the oil just until it turns clear. Do not boil it. If you are adding other oils, stir them in off the heat.
Pair it with a butter. Coconut oil on its own can feel thin and greasy in warm weather. Melted together with shea butter, it makes a smooth, spreadable body butter that absorbs quickly and holds its shape.
Use it where it does the most. Four uses make the most of coconut oil:
- Pre-wash hair treatment, left on for 30 minutes to 1 hour before shampooing.
- Body butters, where it makes the texture lighter and quicker to absorb.
- Foot creams and hand balms, where its richness suits dry, rough skin.
- Soap, where it adds hardness and a big, bubbly lather.
Why hair people like it. Coconut oil is about 47 to 52% lauric acid, a small fatty acid. Some studies suggest its small size lets it move into the hair shaft, while most plant oils mainly coat the surface. Many people use it before washing because they find it helps hair feel less dry and brittle afterwards.
Weigh, don't scoop. The recipes below give cups and spoons for convenience, but butters and oils have different densities. A digital scale accurate to 0.004 oz (0.1 g) gives the most consistent results.
For deeper background, see Traditional Coconut Oil: The Complete Guide. To compare it with other ingredients, see Coconut Oil vs Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter vs Coconut Oil: Benefits and Uses Compared and Red Palm Oil vs Coconut Oil.
Traditional coconut oil and refined coconut oil
Refined coconut oil is bleached and deodorised. That removes the scent and gives it a longer shelf life, but it also takes out some of the natural character of the raw oil. Traditionally made coconut oil keeps its mild coconut scent and is the kind used in the recipes here. Baraka sells Traditional Coconut Oil, and you can read the product page for its full details.
Comedogenic rating. Coconut oil is commonly rated about 4 on a 0 to 5 scale, which means it is more likely to clog pores than baobab oil (rated 1 to 2) or shea oil (rated 0 to 1). On the face, use it in small amounts or swap in a lighter oil. For the body, hair, feet and soap, this is rarely a concern.
What each ingredient does in these recipes
- Coconut oil: light, soft and quick to absorb. It melts on warm skin and is the main softener in the body butters.
- Shea butter: rich and creamy. It adds lasting moisture and makes a blend firmer and more spreadable. It contains vitamins A and E.
- Mango butter: firm and smooth, with a higher melting point than coconut oil, so it helps a butter hold its shape.
- Beeswax: the wax that makes a balm hold its shape in warm weather.
- Jojoba oil: light and silky, with little greasy feel.
- Olive and avocado oil: richer liquid oils that make a hair mask soft and easy to spread.
- Almond oil: light and soft, used here to loosen a scrub.
- Rosehip oil: a light oil that goes in small amounts.
- Vitamin E oil: added by the drop to blends that contain oils and butters.
- Essential oils: used for scent only, in small amounts.
How to change the texture
The rule of thumb: butters make it rich, oils make it soft and light, wax makes it hold its shape.
- Firmer: add shea butter or mango butter, or a little more beeswax (about 1/6 oz, 5 g, at a time).
- Softer or runnier: add a liquid oil such as jojoba or almond, or use less beeswax.
- Lighter and faster to absorb: use more coconut oil and a light oil, and whip the blend.
- Richer: use more shea butter and less liquid oil.
- Warm climate: add beeswax or mango butter, because coconut oil softens at 75°F (24°C).
- Cool climate: use a little less butter and wax, or warm the jar in your hands first.
Change one thing at a time and write down what you did.
Essential oils: how much to use
Essential oils in these recipes are for scent only. For leave-on balms and butters, keep them at or below 1% of the recipe by weight. Baraka's recommended limits are up to 2% on the body, 1% on the face and 0.5% on the lips, and none in recipes for babies or young children. About 20 drops make 0.04 oz (1 g). The amounts below are well inside these limits.
DIY coconut oil recipes
Skincare recipes
1. Simple Coconut Oil Moisturizer
A basic moisturizer that uses coconut oil's rich, soft feel for dry skin. Coconut oil is heavier than some oils, so use a small amount on the face.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Coconut Oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Jojoba Oil
- 5 drops Vitamin E Oil
Instructions:
- Combine the coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E oil in a small bowl. If the coconut oil is solid, warm it gently over a double boiler until liquid.
- Stir well until combined.
- Pour into a clean jar and let it cool and set at room temperature.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If it is too liquid in a warm climate, add 1/3 oz (10 g) of shea butter to the next batch. If it is too firm in a cool climate, warm it in your hands before applying.
2. Coconut Oil and Shea Butter Body Balm
A firm body balm. Coconut oil keeps it soft, shea butter adds lasting richness, and beeswax helps it hold its shape in warm weather.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Shea Butter
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (14 g) Beeswax
- 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil (about 0.2% of the batch)
Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Instructions:
- Melt the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax together in a double boiler. Allow extra time for the beeswax.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the lavender essential oil.
- Pour into clean jars right away, because beeswax sets quickly once off the heat.
- Let it cool and set at room temperature. Store in a cool, dry place.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses two Baraka ingredients. One click takes both straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
Beeswax and Lavender Essential Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If the mixture sets before you finish pouring, return it to the double boiler on very low heat. If the balm is too hard, use 1/6 oz (5 g) less beeswax next time. If it is too soft, use 1/6 oz (5 g) more.
Facial care recipes
3. Coconut Oil Facial Moisturizer
A small amount of coconut oil blended with lighter oils to keep the feel light. This one suits dry skin better than oily or congestion-prone skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (15 g) Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Jojoba Oil
- 3 drops Rosehip Oil
- 2 drops Vitamin E Oil
Instructions:
- Gently melt the coconut oil in a double boiler until liquid.
- Stir in the jojoba oil, rosehip oil and vitamin E oil.
- Let it cool slightly, then apply a small amount to the face and neck.
- Store the rest in a clean jar in a cool, dry place.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If it feels too heavy on your face, swap the coconut oil for baobab oil for a lighter blend better suited to oily or combination skin.
4. Coconut Oil and Honey Face Mask
A rinse-off mask that pairs coconut oil with honey, a natural humectant. It contains yogurt, so make it fresh and use it straight away.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (15 g) Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Honey
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (15 g) Yogurt
Instructions:
- Gently melt the coconut oil until liquid. Let it cool until warm, not hot.
- Stir in the honey and yogurt until combined.
- Apply a thin layer to a clean face, avoiding the eyes.
- Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse well with warm water.
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This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Honey and Yogurt are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If the mask separates, stir it hard before applying. If the oil firms up when the yogurt goes in, it was too cool, so warm it slightly and stir again. Never store this mask.
Haircare recipes
5. Coconut Oil Hair Mask
A pre-wash treatment built on coconut oil's lauric acid. Apply it 30 to 60 minutes before shampooing. Research suggests this can reduce protein loss from hair during washing.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons, about 1 oz (30 g) Coconut Oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Avocado Oil
Instructions:
- Combine the three oils. If the coconut oil is solid, warm gently until liquid.
- Apply the warm mixture from roots to ends, focusing on the driest sections.
- Cover with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and shampoo as usual.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
Olive Oil and Avocado Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If hair feels heavy after rinsing, shampoo twice. If it feels dry, leave the mask on for 45 to 60 minutes. For fine or low-porosity hair that builds up with coconut oil, use baobab oil in place of the coconut oil.
6. Coconut Oil Hair Leave-In Conditioner
A spray leave-in made with coconut oil and rosewater.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (15 g) Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Jojoba Oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Rosewater
Storage: Contains water, so make small batches, keep it cool and throw it out if it smells or looks off. Shake well before every use.
Instructions:
- Melt the coconut oil until liquid, then let it cool to room temperature before combining with the rosewater.
- Combine the coconut oil, jojoba oil and rosewater in a small spray bottle.
- Shake hard before each use.
- Lightly mist onto damp hair, focusing on the ends.
- Style as usual.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Jojoba Oil and Rosewater are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If it sprays unevenly, the oil has set in the nozzle, so rinse the nozzle with warm water. Apply to damp rather than dry hair. In cool rooms the oil will firm up in the bottle, so keep it at room temperature or warm it briefly.
Footcare recipes
7. Coconut Oil Foot Cream
A rich foot cream for dry heels and rough skin. Coconut oil softens, and shea butter adds a lasting layer of moisture.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Coconut Oil
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (15 g) Shea Butter
- 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (about 0.35% of the batch, for scent)
Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe. Do not apply to the face of babies or young children.
Instructions:
- Melt the coconut oil and shea butter together in a double boiler.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the peppermint essential oil.
- Pour into a clean jar and let it cool and set at room temperature.
- Massage a small amount into the feet, especially heels and dry areas.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses two Baraka ingredients. One click takes both straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 1.8 oz (50 g): enough for three batches
Peppermint Essential Oil is not a Baraka product; use your usual supplier.
Do not apply peppermint to the face of babies or young children, and leave the essential oil out of anything made for them.
Troubleshooting: If it is too liquid in a warm climate, add 1/3 oz (10 g) more shea butter next time. If it is too firm in a cool climate, use 1/3 oz (10 g) less shea butter and 1/3 oz (10 g) more coconut oil.
8. Coconut Oil and Sugar Foot Scrub
A rinse-off scrub. The sugar gently exfoliates, and the coconut oil conditions the skin it uncovers.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons, about 1 oz (30 g) Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup, about 1.8 oz (50 g) Sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Almond Oil
- 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions:
- If the coconut oil is solid, warm it gently until liquid, then let it cool until warm, not hot.
- Combine the coconut oil and sugar in a small bowl.
- Stir in the almond oil and lavender essential oil.
- Massage into the feet in circles, focusing on heels.
- Rinse well with warm water.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 3.5 oz (100 g): enough for three batches
Sugar, Almond Oil and Lavender Essential Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If the scrub firms up in cool rooms, warm the jar briefly in hot water. Hot oil dissolves sugar crystals, so make sure the oil is only warm.
Body butter recipes
9. Simple Coconut Oil Body Butter
An everyday whipped body butter. Coconut oil makes it light and quick to absorb, and shea butter makes it last.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup, about 4 oz (114 g) Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Shea Butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Jojoba Oil
- 10 drops Vitamin E Oil
Instructions:
- Melt the coconut oil and shea butter together in a double boiler until fully liquid.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the jojoba oil and vitamin E oil.
- Let it cool at room temperature until it starts to set around the edges, about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a clean jar and store in a cool, dry place.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses two Baraka ingredients. One click takes both straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for two batches
- Baraka Raw Shea Butter, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If it deflates after whipping, the mixture was too warm, so remelt it and let it cool further. If it is grainy, it cooled too slowly, so remelt it and cool it faster before whipping. In warm climates it may soften, so keep it somewhere cool.
10. Coconut Oil and Mango Butter Body Butter
A firmer body butter. Mango butter's higher melting point and beeswax give structure, which helps in warm climates where coconut oil alone would go soft.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup, about 2 oz (57 g) Mango Butter
- 1 tablespoon, about 1/2 oz (14 g) Beeswax
- 5 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (about 0.2% of the batch)
Essential oils make up 1% or less of this recipe.
Instructions:
- Melt the mango butter and beeswax together in a double boiler on low heat. Allow extra time for the beeswax.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut oil and ylang ylang essential oil.
- Pour into clean jars right away, because the beeswax sets quickly.
- Let it cool and set at room temperature. Store in a cool, dry place.
Buy the ingredients now
This recipe uses one Baraka ingredient. One click takes it straight to checkout.
- Baraka Virgin Coconut Oil, 8.8 oz (250 g): enough for four batches
Mango Butter, Beeswax and Ylang Ylang Essential Oil are not Baraka products; use your usual supplier.
Troubleshooting: If it sets before pouring is done, return it to the double boiler on very low heat. If it is too hard, use 1/6 oz (5 g) less beeswax. If it is too soft, use 1/6 oz (5 g) more.
Coconut oil in soap
Coconut oil adds hardness and a big lather to soap. Every soap recipe needs its own lye calculation. Coconut oil's saponification value is 0.183, which is the amount of sodium hydroxide a soapmaker adds per gram of coconut oil to turn it into soap. No oil contains lye. Always check your recipe in a lye calculator before you make it. Bars that are mostly coconut oil usually use a higher superfat on purpose. For a full method, see How Do I Make Simple DIY Shea Butter Soap?, and for the choice between the two lauric oils, see Palm Kernel Oil vs Coconut Oil: A Soap Maker's Guide.
What the evidence shows, and how to check it yourself
Coconut oil has a long history of traditional use for skin and hair, and it is one of the better-studied natural oils. Some studies suggest its lauric acid can enter the hair shaft. This is DIY advice, not medical advice. See a doctor or pharmacist for any skin or scalp condition that is persistent.
To find supporting research, search: coconut oil lauric acid hair penetration study, or virgin coconut oil skin conditioning evidence.
To find qualifying evidence, which matters just as much, search: coconut oil comedogenic, coconut oil hair buildup fine hair, or does coconut oil actually work for skin.
Reading both sides gives a clearer picture. Much of what you find will be inconclusive, and that is useful to know. You can also read what customers say about Baraka Traditional Coconut Oil in their own routines. That is not clinical evidence, but it is a different kind of signal.
Frequently asked questions
What is traditional coconut oil and how is it different from refined coconut oil?
As Baraka's guide explains, refined coconut oil is bleached and deodorised, which removes the scent and extends shelf life. Traditionally made coconut oil keeps its natural coconut scent and character. Both work in DIY recipes, and the refined kind is simply less fragrant.
Why does coconut oil penetrate the hair shaft when other oils do not?
Baraka's guide notes that coconut oil is about 47 to 52% lauric acid, a small fatty acid. Some studies suggest this small size lets it move into the hair, while most plant oils mainly coat the surface. Many people apply it before shampooing for that reason.
Is coconut oil comedogenic?
As Baraka's guide notes, coconut oil is commonly rated about 4 on a 0 to 5 scale, so it is more likely to clog pores than baobab oil (rated 1 to 2) or shea oil (rated 0 to 1). For the face, use a small amount or choose a lighter oil. For the body, hair, feet and soap, it is rarely a concern.
Can coconut oil cause hair buildup?
Yes, for fine or low-porosity hair, if you use it too often or use too much. Baraka suggests cutting back to once a week and using a clarifying shampoo from time to time. If buildup continues, try baobab oil in its place.
Do coconut oil recipes need a preservative?
In Baraka's guide, recipes made only from oils and butters, with no water, contain nothing that spoils quickly, so store them cool and dry. Leave-on recipes with water, rosewater, aloe or milk are different: make small batches, keep them cool and throw them out if they smell or look off. Rinse-off masks with yogurt should be made fresh and never stored.
What is the best use of coconut oil in DIY formulations?
Baraka uses coconut oil in recipes for a pre-wash hair treatment, soap making, body butters where you want a lighter, faster-absorbing feel, and foot creams and hand balms. For daily face use, baobab oil or shea oil are lighter choices.
How does coconut oil compare to palm kernel oil for soap making?
Baraka's guide explains that both are high in lauric acid, which adds hardness and lather. Palm kernel oil is slightly lighter and absorbs marginally faster. Use a lye calculator for either, because each has its own saponification value.
Make it your own
These recipes are a starting point, not a rulebook. Use your judgement, be inspired, and don't be afraid to experiment. Everything here is a pure, natural ingredient that blends happily with the others. Start with a small batch, write down what you did, and see how your skin and hair respond. When you find a blend that works for you, make it again.
If you want a larger supply for soap or product making, see Wholesale and Bulk Shea Butter: Supply for Soap Makers, Formulators, and Small Manufacturers. You can also browse the Oils Collection and DIY Ingredients Collection. To see how Baraka works with women's groups in Ghana, read Coconut Plantations and Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report. Baraka is Community Certified Fair Trade.
Not sure what to make with coconut oil? Take the Discover Coconut Oil quiz: a few quick questions show the recipes and uses that fit you.
About the Author
Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter, kombo butter and African black soap. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients.
The recipes on this page
- Simple Coconut Oil Moisturizer
- Coconut Oil and Shea Butter Body Balm
- Coconut Oil Facial Moisturizer
- Coconut Oil and Honey Face Mask
- Coconut Oil Hair Mask
- Coconut Oil Hair Leave-In Conditioner
- Coconut Oil Foot Cream
- Coconut Oil and Sugar Foot Scrub
- Simple Coconut Oil Body Butter
- Coconut Oil and Mango Butter Body Butter
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