Is coconut oil good for your skin? Skincare enthusiasts on TikTok seem to think it is. Then again, if we’ve learned anything from the platform, just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s true – especially when it comes to beauty and wellness hacks.
Fortunately, this is not the case when it comes to using coconut oil for some types of skin, as several dermatologists actually cosign its use as a form of topical hydration. “Coconut oil has skin-nourishing, moisturising, and softening properties,” Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and the founder of Skincare Junkie, tells Glamour. “Its high concentration of fatty acids imparts excellent emollient capabilities, and it is also thought to have antimicrobial properties.”
Coconut oil for skin, FAQs
- What is coconut oil?
- Coconut oil skin care benefits
- Coconut oil side effects
- Is coconut oil good for all skin types?
- How to use coconut oil on skin
- The best coconut oil for skin
- Coconut oil alternatives
Coconut oil is essentially a “natural moisturiser,” according to Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. However, he also notes that coconut oil is generally best used on the trunk and limbs – not on the face. “In addition to being an effective moisturiser, antioxidant ingredients in coconut oil may protect skin from free oxygen radicals,” Dr. Camp says.
Ahead, see everything you need to know about using coconut oil for skin, including what it is, how to use it, when and where to apply it, and more, so you never need to Google “Is coconut oil good for your skin?” again.
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What is coconut oil?
According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, coconut oil is an oil from the meat of the coconut, which is better known as the “white part” of the fruit. “It is commonly found in skin care and hair care products,” she says. More specifically, coconut oil is a type of fat derived from coconuts, adds Dr. Camp.
Coconut oil skin care benefits
As for why coconut oil is found in so many skin and hair care products? To put it simply: It can be great for certain skin types. “Coconut oil has many benefits for the skin,” says Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “It helps retain moisture, reduce inflammation, promotes wound healing, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts collagen,” he says.
Other unexpected perks? Coconut oil works well as a natural makeup remover, lip balm, and even cuticle cream. “Coconut oil can be used to remove product residue, makeup, and grime, helping emulsify these impurities from the skin surface and wash them away,” says Dr. Camp. “It can also be used as a natural lip balm for chapped lips and soften cuticles, which may prevent hangnail formation.”
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Finally, coconut oil can even be beneficial for scalp and hair health. “It helps reduce frizz, heal breakage, protects bacteria from damaging your scalp, increases shine, and reduces dandruff and dryness,” Dr. Gratch explains.
Is coconut oil good for all skin types?
That being said, coconut oil isn’t necessarily good for all skin types. “Coconut oil is comedogenic so it may exacerbate acne breakouts and clogged pores,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. What’s more, “despite antimicrobial properties, the occlusive properties of coconut oil may cause or worsen dandruff on the scalp.”
Such is especially the case when using it on the face. “Coconut oil can clog pores and cause breakout and can irritate the skin, especially those with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Gratch. “It is not recommend for people with oily skin.” Plus, as with most skincare ingredients, it is possible to have an allergy to coconut oil, adds Dr. Murphy-Rose.
While coconut oil could be a great match for people who prefer natural or plant-based skincare products, it’s not recommended for everyone. “Those with particularly dry skin may benefit more from using coconut oil on their skin,” says Dr. Camp.
Dr. Murphy-Rose agrees: “I would reserve coconut oil for the driest skin,” she says. “Those with oily or acne-prone skin should avoid coconut oil.”
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How to use coconut oil on skin
Generally speaking, it’s best to use coconut oil as a body moisturiser – not face. “I would advise against using pure coconut oil directly onto your face,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “It would be better to use a moisturiser containing some coconut oil if you choose to use it, and coconut oil would be better applied to dry skin of the body.”
Dr. Camp agrees, adding that it may be particularly helpful on rough, stubborn patches of dry skin, such as the elbows or knees. “I would not recommend using coconut oil as an overnight mask because it has comedogenic potential,” he says. “This means that coconut oil may block pores and contribute to incipient acne formation.”
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The best coconut oil for skin
When shopping for the best coconut oil for skin, be sure to avoid refined coconut oil and anything “expeller-pressed,” as these may lose important nutrients, says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Instead, Dr. Camp suggests looking for “unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil, which produces the purest form of the product. Refining or using heat to extract the oils can introduce chemicals, preservatives, or contaminants to the production process.”
In terms of specific products, Dr. Camp suggests Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. “The fresh coconuts used to make this product are cold-pressed after harvesting, and the oil is never deodorised, bleached, or refined,” he says.
Several reputable skin care brands also make moisturisers infused with coconut: MDSolarSciences Daily Perfecting Moisturiser contains coconut oil derivative oco-caprylate/caprate and Herbivore Cloud Milk Firming Body Cream is formulated with coconut.
Coconut oil alternatives
While dermatologists are generally okay with using coconut oil as body moisturiser, Dr. Murphy-Rose points out that “heavy moisturisers containing oils and rich butters may be a better choice for dry skin than coconut oil. Look for shea butter, argan oil, and rosehip seed oil as examples,” she says.
Dr. Camp also suggests almond, sesame, argan, sunflower, rosehip, jojoba, and squalane oils, which “can be less congesting” and may be more suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
Danielle Sinay is the associate beauty editor at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @daniellesinay.
This article was originally published on Glamour US.
