The Truth About Being Allergic to Coconuts

When I say I’m allergic to coconuts, a lot of people look at me like I’m crazy. It’s real and becoming such a struggle for me as I get older. Read more to find out why and more about the secret coconut ingredients.

When I was little, I started off just getting a rash from products with coconuts or coconut oils. My parents quickly started away from any skin products after that. I used to LOVE eating Almond Joy and Mounds. Then one day in 6th grade, I had a virgin pina colada during Spanish class and finished the drink. After a few minutes, I became dizzy and fainted on the floor. I stopped eating coconut after this day as a choice. I thought I had my allergic all figured out for years … STAY AWAY FROM COCONUT OIL AND COCONUT.

Then, everything changed as I got older and started reaction to other coconut compounds in the product. I never knew about these unknown coconut chemicals before I started to research the shampoos, conditioners, and skin care products.

What are coconut compounds? It’s okay if you don’t know because most people don’t, but they’re in EVERYTHING from shampoos to face wash to lotions to any products we put on our body. The chemical compounds and scientific name for coconut are:

1. Cocos nucifera (scientific name)
2. Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
3. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Coco-betaine)
4. Cocamide MIPA
5. Cocoyl Taurate
6. Cocamide DEA
7. Cocamide MEA
8. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
9. Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
10. Coco-glucoside
11. Sodium Cocoate 

The list above contains the one I have personally seen and stay away from, but I found so much more ingredients I need to stay away from on Truth in Aging. That’s what crazy about my allergic to coconuts I’m ALWAYS finding another ingredient I need to look out for because of how common it is in beauty products. I truly hate it because I feel like I can’t use ANYTHING. If I do, I have to really careful and switch if my skin or scalp product as soon as I start having an reaction. My face reacts faster than my scalp does right now.

Skin care products with coconut ingredients make my face burn either while it’s on or the day after. My skin also get bright red especially around eyes and cheeks. The rash typically lasts for a day or so. It feels as if my skin is burning off. I have even gotten a painful rash on my hands because of either lotion, hand cream, hand soap, and even hair products I have came in contact with. My face has even had reactions to masks, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, serums, foundations, face primers, eye primers, and contour/highlights. Rashes and more rashes have took over my skin until I realize how care I need to be and look at the ingredients before buying anything for my body.

My scalp just started getting reactions towards the coconut compounds. I have to switch brands a lot so far because after awhile to coconut ingredients will start to really irritate me. I haven’t figured out the time period yet because it’s still all new to me. I do know you can find coconut of some form in shampoos. I have yet to find one without one or more of the names listed above. I’m hoping I do before my reaction gets worst. Conditioner is easier to find products without coconut ingredients. I love matching types of shampoo and conditioner such as I color my hair so I used color treatment. It’s only makes sense if I want to keep my color looking fabulous for as long as I can.

I know how I have to be very cautious and looking products myself now. I can say “I’m allergic to coconuts” to a consultants or sales associates all I want, but the truth is NO ONE knows the meaning behind these secret coconut ingredients . That’s okay. I don’t expect them to know. My only hope is for others to be aware of the other coconut names.

Do you research and make sure you stay away from the list below if you are allergic to coconuts like me. I make sure to share coconut free products as I find some.

Do you like what you’re reading? Check out my page, Kimi Ann-Marie for various posts about life, mom life, product review, coconut free life, and grieving.