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My Favorite Pre-shave & Post-Shave for the Softest Legs

I used to have bumps and large pores & irritation on my legs, and I just thought I had sensitive skin and was stuck with it.   Well, I was half right.  My skin IS sensitive to all the irritants I was using from my shaving cream, soap, & those fun scented & colored body lotions, but I’m NOT stuck with it.

I’m so happy with the solution I have found.   I want to avoid parabens and all the different ingredients in so many beauty products, but I also am on a mission to simplify my beauty routine and the cost of all my beauty supplies.

My answer to ALL of these issues?  Coconut Oil.  

I love coconut oil so very much.  It is a unique oil, solid when cool and liquid when room temperature or warmer.  It does not need refrigerated.

It is

~anti-inflammatory
~anti-microbial
~anti-fungal

Caprylic Acid, Capric Acid and Lauric Acid are the essential saturated fatty acids that are powerful ingredients in coconut oil. I love having an organic, natural product with such great benefits to it.  It has the slight scent of coconut, but not overpowering at all.


I have been using coconut oil as a pre-shave oil this summer, in place of shaving cream or soap, and I can’t tell you how great my legs feel.  Gone are any bumps or irritation.  My pores are small and my skin has a healthy glow to it.  I just love it.  

I keep my jar of organic coconut oil in the shower, and not only use it as a pre-shaving lotion, but also as a quick after- shave oil.  At the end of my shower, when I turn off the water, I slather the oil all over my whole body.  I find it is a bit too heavy for my face, so I skip the face, but I’ve heard people rave about it as a face moisturizer.  I keep a jar in my gym bag, and use it as a body lotion/moisturizer, too!

{ a closeup of my calf-small pores, no ingrown hair}

As I dry off, my legs are amazingly soft and smooth.  I don’t have to put on any lotion after my showers, and rumor has it that coconut oil has an spf of 4, so it gives some natural sun protection, too!

An added benefit?  It is on my hands as I go to squeeze the water out of my hair, and I have found it acts as a great hair de-frizzer.  I can now air dry my curls and they are soft and amazing with no frizz!  There is very little oil on my hands, so this benefit does not take much coconut oil.  Bonus!

{See?  No bumps…and no photo editing, I promise!}

Between using coconut oil as a pre & post shave, occasionally using my Homemade Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub, and dry brushing before my shower, my skin is the softest and healthiest it has been in a years.


Try it and tell me what you think!

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  • John Marris
    June 3, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Great sound of COCONUT OIL.I use coconut oil every day on my skin, my hair, and even in the kitchen.

  • nimoo
    November 8, 2014 at 9:13 am

    HI…i have a question as it seems this oil z best.I have dark underlegs problem :(is coocnut oil work for it to get better?

  • Anonymous
    July 27, 2013 at 6:11 am

    I’m SO glad I stumbled upon this on Pinterest. I have very very sensitive skin. I can’t use scented products, and, ironically, shaving creams/gels labeled “sensitive” make me break out into giant itchy hives. So, I have to buy Aveeno since it’s hypoallergenic, but it’s also 3 times more expensive than the regular stuff. AND I still have little bumps all over my legs!
    I already use coconut oil in my hair (I’ll sleep with it in overnight to tame my big frizzy curly hair), so next time I’m going to shave I’m totally giving this a shot.
    Thanks so much! 🙂
    -Lauren H.

  • Anonymous
    August 27, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    Hey Amy,
    I’ve been using the coconut oil for shaving for about a month now (per your suggestion) and LOVE IT! I wondered about the hubby using for shaving? Has your hubby ever tried it or maybe a reader that has…
    any thoughts…
    Rebecca

    • Amy Bowman
      August 27, 2012 at 8:53 pm

      So glad you like it! I love it. I think it would be awesome for men, too. Mine has not tried but great idea! I will let you know if he does and how it goes.

    • Anonymous
      October 17, 2012 at 9:01 am

      Hi Rebecca,

      I add a few drops of coconut oil to my shaving lather and it creates a super slick “Premium” lather. Sounds strange but it is the only way that I can describe it. I use “old style” shave creams so I am not sure if it would work with the canned chemical stuff. I can’t see that would hurt.

      Dave

  • Brenda
    July 18, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Quick question…first time buying coconut oil. (I purchased from your Amazon link.) It arrived and sat on my front porch in 100 degree heat for who knows how many hours. So of course it was sloshing in the jar. I didn’t open it up at that point. But after checking it yesterday, it was still sloshing. (Still didn’t open it.) It is supposed to be a liquid? The Nutiva tub from Amazon? Should I put it in the fridge? Thanks!

    • Amy Bowman
      July 19, 2012 at 12:08 am

      I find the liquid is easier to work with when mixing it up. Then store in refrigerator. I then bring it with me to the shower and just let shower steam soften the mixture enough to be able to scoop out. Sometimes I will put it right in the stream of the water.

    • Brenda
      July 19, 2012 at 2:00 pm

      Thank you. I didn’t want to open it up, if I was going to have to return it because something was wrong. I also ordered the skin brush & can’t wait for it to get here. Now I just need to find a shower stool, as we don’t have a tub in the master bathroom. I’m tired of holding my leg up in the air to shave it. Plus, I’m looking forward to pampering myself with the coconut oil, the coconut-lime scrub and some really good shaving. 🙂

    • Amy Bowman
      August 27, 2012 at 8:52 pm

      This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Sara Fischer
    July 18, 2012 at 2:05 am

    I went to Trader Joe’s yesterday and bought some coconut oil. So cheap! Only $5.99! I made the scrub and put it in one of my great grandma’s mason jars. Anyway, I did this technique and LOVE it! My upper legs are so sensitive and it didn’t hurt shaving them at all. They usually hurt for a few days after, too, but no irritation so far! Thank you!!!

    • Amy Bowman
      July 19, 2012 at 12:08 am

      I’m so happy it worked well of you! Thanks for letting me know, I love feedback like this!

  • Bakingmama
    July 8, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Our Costco now sells the Nutiva brand of coconut oil~78 ounces for $19.99. Great deal!

    • Brenda
      July 18, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Oooooo…. thanks for sharing this. I have to check my Costco out now! 🙂

  • Kristen
    July 7, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    I tried the coconut oil for shaving and the scrub after your post a few weeks ago, and it really works for me! I typically get a lot of red bumps and ingrown hairs on the backs of my legs, but after trying the coconut oil for shaving, those have virtually disappeared. Thanks for the tip!

    • Amy Bowman
      July 19, 2012 at 12:09 am

      Isn’t it great? I love hearing it is working for others as well..

  • Kendra | Our Homemade Happiness
    July 7, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    I’ve stopped using commercial shaving cream too. I’ve been using my natural body wash as a shaving cream but I like your idea to use coconut oil better. I already use coconut oil in my deodorant and as a body moisturizer, so why not use it as shaving cream too? Thanks for the great idea!

    • Amy Bowman
      July 19, 2012 at 12:09 am

      You bet, Kendra. Glad to give you one since I get many great ideas from you!

  • reneeb
    July 7, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    I use it as a moisturizer too but have been afraid to use it in the shower. I worry that just like animal grease that is liquid when warm and solid when cool, it will clog drains. Do you know if it will? Thanks so much!

    • Amy Bowman
      July 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm

      It becomes liquid at 76 degrees, so warm water flushes it down. You are only using a small amount so no, I don’t think it will.

  • Jennifer
    July 7, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    This is the second rave review of coconut oil this week. Guess it’s time to try it! 8)

    • Amy Bowman
      July 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm

      do it you will love it!

  • Nikki
    July 7, 2012 at 2:15 am

    I can’t wait to try this! I have the driest skin!!!

  • Heather Harwood
    July 7, 2012 at 2:57 am

    My 11 year old daughter (new to shaving, so it’s all exciting for her, lol) tried your scrub method last week and absolutely loved it! She made us all (even her 13 year old brother) feel her legs. We found that the scrub recipe made enough for 4 applications. They’re in little plastic containers chillin’ in the fridge. We both use coconut oil in our hair and love how it’s less frizzy and more shiny. And the ingredient list is very short! Thanks so much for your blog!

    • Amy Bowman
      July 7, 2012 at 1:31 pm

      I love that! Made me smile. Oh to be 11 and excited about shaving… 😉

  • Vita @ Juicer Depot
    July 6, 2012 at 11:54 pm

    My daughter was just complaining last week of getting bumps when she shaves along the bikini line. Sounds like you have a great solution that might work for her.

  • Andrea
    July 6, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    It also helps with dry scalp (which apparently is different then dandruff). Either put it on the scalp at night when going to bed before washing your hair- if you wash yours in the morning or about 30 minutes before you shower if you’re an evening hair washer. My stylist said it’s much cheaper then any scalp relief products you can buy.

    • Amy Bowman
      July 7, 2012 at 1:32 pm

      Love that tip..it is amazing how many things you can use it for!

  • missy
    July 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    I LOVE Coconut oil for a moisturizer and I also Oil Pull with it too.
    http://www.oilpulling.com/

    I credit oil pulling with helping after a major jaw infection due to a botched wisdom tooth surgery.

    I’m also using more coconut oil in my baking.

    hugs
    -missy-

  • Amy Bowman
    July 6, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Hmm…I have not noticed that and I have been using it a long time!

  • Anonymous
    July 6, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    The coconut oil sounds wonderful!! I just was wondering, how do you prevent your shower/tub from becoming slippery?

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