You've probably seen it. That massive, minimalist white tub sitting on the shelf at Target or Sam's Club, looking almost too clinical for the price point. It's the Nature Well Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream. People swear by it. Like, "buy five jars at once" level of devotion. But honestly? Most of the hype misses why it actually works, and some people are definitely using it wrong.
Coconut oil has a weird reputation in skincare. One group of people thinks it’s a miracle sent from the tropics, while the other side is terrified it’ll clog every pore on their body just by looking at it. The reality is somewhere in the middle.
Nature Well isn't just a jar of grease.
The Formulation Reality Check
Most people think "coconut oil cream" and imagine something thick, oily, and heavy. This isn't that. If you’ve ever tried to use raw, cold-pressed coconut oil from the grocery store on your legs, you know the struggle. It stays oily for hours. It ruins your jeans. It smells like a macaroon.
Nature Well uses a specific delivery system. They use micro-encapsulated technology. This sounds like marketing fluff, but it basically means the active ingredients are tucked into tiny spheres that burst as you rub it in. This is why the cream feels relatively light despite being incredibly hydrating. It’s a "dry" oil feel. You can put it on, wait sixty seconds, and actually put on your leggings without feeling like you're performing a wrestling maneuver.
The ingredient list is actually quite clever. Beyond the extra virgin coconut oil, you’re looking at things like Vitamin E, which is a powerhouse antioxidant. It helps stabilize the oil and provides that barrier repair that most "cheap" lotions skip. It’s also paraben-free. That’s a big deal for a brand that prices itself so competitively.
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Why Your Face Might Hate It (But Your Body Will Love It)
Let’s be real. Coconut oil is comedogenic. That’s a fancy way of saying it has a high probability of clogging pores.
If you have acne-prone skin on your face, do not—I repeat, do not—slather this on your forehead. You will wake up with breakouts. I’ve seen so many "skincare gurus" suggest this as a face cream because it’s "natural." Natural doesn't always mean "good for your specific skin type."
However, for the rest of your body? It’s gold.
The skin on your shins, elbows, and heels is much thicker and has fewer sebaceous glands than the skin on your face. This is where Nature Well Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream shines. It’s designed for the "ashy" skin, the winter-cracked heels, and the elbows that feel like sandpaper.
Does It Actually Do Anything For Crepey Skin?
This is the big question.
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Many users claim Nature Well "tightens" skin. Let's be scientifically honest here: a $15 moisturizer is not a surgical facelift. It's not going to physically restructure your collagen fibers overnight. But, there is a reason people feel like it does.
When skin is dehydrated, it looks thin. It looks like tissue paper. By flooding those upper layers with lipids (the fats in the coconut oil), you're essentially "plumping" the cells. It fills in the micro-cracks. Suddenly, that crepey look on the backs of your hands or your décolletage looks smoother. It’s an optical and physical hydration effect.
It’s about moisture retention. Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is the enemy. This cream acts like a seal. It keeps the water in. If you apply it right after a shower while your skin is still slightly damp, you are locking in that hydration. That is the secret. That is why it works better than the $80 luxury creams that are mostly fragrance and water.
The Scent Situation
Some people hate the smell of coconut.
Luckily, this isn't that synthetic, sunscreen-soaked coconut smell that reminds you of a 1990s pool party. It’s much more subtle. It’s clean. It dissipates pretty quickly. If you're looking for something that won't clash with your perfume, this is a safe bet.
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Comparing the "Big Tubs"
You have options. You have CeraVe in the tub. You have Vanicream. You have Cetaphil.
- CeraVe is about ceramides and barrier repair. It’s very medical.
- Vanicream is for the most sensitive, "I'm allergic to everything" crowd.
- Nature Well is the "luxury experience on a budget."
It feels more like a spa product than the others. It has a slip and a glow that CeraVe just doesn't provide. If you want your legs to look shiny and healthy in a summer dress, Nature Well is the winner. If you have eczema or active dermatitis, you might want to stick to the fragrance-free medical brands.
The Environmental and Ethical Angle
Nature Well is a brand under the HatchBeauty Brands umbrella. They’ve made a point to keep things cruelty-free. They don't test on animals.
They also focus on "clean" formulations. While the term "clean" isn't strictly regulated by the FDA, in this context, it means they avoid the "nasty" list: no gluten, no artificial colors, no harsh sulfates. It’s a straightforward formula. It’s refreshing in an industry that usually tries to over-complicate things to justify a high price tag.
Actionable Steps for the Best Results
If you're going to use this, do it right. Don't just slap it on bone-dry skin once a day and wonder why you aren't glowing like a celebrity.
- The 3-Minute Rule: Apply the cream within three minutes of stepping out of the shower. Your pores are open and your skin is saturated with water. Lock it in.
- Target the Rough Spots: Use a bit more on your cuticles and heels before bed. If you’re feeling extra, put socks on over it. You’ll wake up with significantly softer feet.
- Check the Batch: Because it contains natural oils, keep it in a cool, dry place. Don't leave it in a hot car. Natural oils can go rancid if they’re mistreated, though the Vitamin E in the formula acts as a preservative to prevent this.
- Patch Test First: If you’ve never used coconut oil on your body, do a small patch on your inner arm. Some people have a localized sensitivity to coconut derivatives.
Nature Well Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream is a workhorse. It’s not a miracle, but it is one of the most effective, high-volume moisturizers on the market if you understand its limitations. Keep it off your face if you're prone to breakouts, use it on damp skin, and enjoy the fact that you don't have to spend a fortune to keep your skin from feeling like a desert.
Invest in a good exfoliating mitt to use in the shower once a week. Removing those dead skin cells first allows the cream to penetrate deeper rather than just sitting on top of old, dry skin. That’s the real trick to getting that "Nature Well glow."