Coconut oil as a personal lubricant: Is it safe?

January 5, 2023

In recent years, coconut oil has become an increasingly popular health and beauty product due to its natural benefits and wide range of uses. Many people opt for coconut oil due to its rich moisturizing properties which can help soothe the skin and alleviate dryness. As a highly versatile product, more and more people are now also opting for coconut oil as a personal lubricant to help alleviate vaginal dryness and discomfort. [1]

We will explore the potential benefits of using coconut oil along with some of the drawbacks to be aware of to help you use coconut oil correctly and safely.

What are the benefits of using coconut oil on the skin?

Coconut oil has numerous benefits for skin health. In addition to its moisturizing properties, coconut oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which may help alleviate common skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. [2]

coconut cut in half next to spoon and leaves

Coconut oil and other oil-based lubricants create a thicker coating than water or gel-based varieties. This coating usually lasts longer too, meaning you won't have to keep reapplying as often.

The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can also help reduce inflammation and protect the skin against any harmful bacteria. Some claim that it can be a useful product to help fight acne and heal wounds more quickly. [3]

Coconut oil to ease vaginal dryness

Many people use vaginal moisturizers or lubricants to help ease vaginal discomfort and to make intercourse more comfortable. Although there are several vaginal lubricants available on the market, some prefer an organic and natural approach that coconut oil and other plant-based oils can provide.

Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of perimenopause and menopause, and coconut oil can help to provide relief by soothing and nourishing the vaginal area.

Considerations for using coconut oil

Although store-bought coconut oils may seem like the perfect affordable product to start integrating with your intimate health routine, it’s important to be aware of the potential drawbacks that come with them.

Because most store-bought coconut oil isn’t certified organic and is intended for food use, it's possible that it might contain other chemicals that could enter the body, especially if you are planning to use coconut oil for your intimate area. Not only this but cold-pressed coconut oil in its raw form is free from preservatives which means that it may spoil. A few ways of determining this is if your coconut oil turns from a pale white to a light yellow color, becomes chunky in consistency and has a rancid or unusual smell compared to when you first purchased it.

If you use latex condoms or dental dams, coconut oil should be avoided as a personal lubricant. The main reason for this is that oil-based lubricants have the tendency to break down latex materials, making them less effective and increasing the risk of STI’s. Instead, we recommend switching to a water-based lubricant such as AH! YES WB which will provide lubrication compatible with latex-based contraception.

Another potential concern is taking the jar of open Coconut oil (or any other open container of cooking oil) from the store cupboard and using it intimately, this can introduce unwanted microorganisms to the vagina. As oils contain no water, bacteria, yeasts and molds can’t grow, but they don’t die, they will however thrive when placed in a moist environment. This means any bacteria, yeasts and molds introduced to the oil when it was used in cooking, could proliferate if used as a lubricant. It is best to only use oils that are designed for intimacy, as they will have been tested to ensure safe use.

AH! YES COCO for personal lubrication

As mentioned, coconut oil in its raw form is not recommended to be used for personal lubrication for many different reasons.

AH! YES COCO brings together the benefits of coconut oil without disrupting the natural balance of the vagina.

Along with organic coconut oil, AH! YES COCO is blended with organic sunflower oil and organic jojoba oil providing long-lasting, soothing relief for dry vulval and vaginal tissue.