I've read countless times that coconut oil is a simple cure for dry, flaky skin. I'm wondering if it's safe to use on my face, under my beard. My skin can get so dry that I can peel off big clumps under my beard, causing bleeding. It looks nasty and feels unclean. It's been this way for about seven years, though I've had a beard for about ten. It started when I switched to dove white soap, but the reason I continue to use the soap (and have used it for so long) is because it's the only soap I've ever used that doesn't irritate my highly sensitive skin. I also wash my beard with beard shampoo at least once a week (which softens the beard and adds shine, but dries my skin out really badly).
I'm also wondering if coconut oil would help restore the texture of the hair on my head? The top layer of hair on my head (where I part it) is coarse, wiry, and curly, while the bottom layer it smooth, resilient, and shiny (and its normal color). The top layer of hair is also very thin, and has been thinning for years, but not falling out. I only have a receding hair line and have absolutely no bangs by this point. This started when I was nineteen (I'm 26 now). Perhaps coconut oil also has restorative effects? If so, perhaps it could help my beard, which has oddly been thinning the past year or so (it's always been thick up until that point).
I'm sure I'm going to get a reply along the lines of "go see a dermatologist," but I have no money, and a dermatologist doesn't always know all the answers.
The thing to remember when buying coconut oil is to buy pure virgin coconut oil. Any others are likely to have impurities and other additives in it. You can purchase this from your health store or on line (I am not able, due to MedHelp policy rules tell you which web sites that you can buy this product from), but you can do a search on the web yourself and make sure that you get the pure virgin one. It is not cheap.
No, it will not make your hair regrow. The different textures and thinning of your hair and beard are more than likely all connected to your hormones.
It is very natural at your age to get thinning of your hair. It also all depends on your genetics.
Rather than have a full beard, try a different style of one, you never know you just may like your new image.
Stop using the Dove soap. This is drying your skin.
If you have lots of flaky skin that is coming off, you may try buying a tar based shampoo from the pharmacy. The pharmacist will also give you advice with regard to the skin problem under your beard and may recommend something suitable for this.
Simple soap may be fine; this soap contains no perfume. Baby washes may also be better for you to use. Any soap that has a pH level the same as our skin will be fine. You can also buy some baby oil (and that is affordable) and rub that into your beard and the coarse hair on your head. I would do this every evening before going to bed and then shower it off with a baby wash or even baby shampoo in the morning.
For healthy skin and hair, make sure that you eat a healthy and well balanced diet, plenty of water about 2 litres a day. Vitamin C, D and E are the vitamins to have for healthy skin and hair. So you may benefit from a multi vitamin supplement that contains these vitamins. Fresh fruit contains vitamin C, eggs, milk, butter and fortified cereals contain vitamin D; your skin will also make Vitamin D when you expose it to sunshine. This is why this vitamin (vitamin D) is referred to as the Sunshine Vitamin. Cut out the junk food and eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg, fish, chicken, and so on.
I am sure that you will be able to find more information on the web about these vitamins (my memory is a bit foggy tonight).
Best wishes.