Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits of Coconut OilHow to Apply ItSkin TypesTypes of Coconut OilWho Should Avoid It?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits of Coconut Oil
How to Apply It
Skin Types
Types of Coconut Oil
Who Should Avoid It?
Coconut oilhas been promoted for its ability to help moisturizedry skin. In addition, research suggests this natural oil may have additional antibacterial,antioxidant, and wound-healing properties when applied topically.
This article discusses how coconut oil may benefit the skin, which types are available, and how to apply it for the best results.
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What Skin Benefits Does Coconut Oil Offer?
Coconut oil may provide several benefits, whether used for dry skin or a health condition.
Treating Skin Conditions
Studies show that coconut oil applied topically to the skin may help people with mild to moderateatopic dermatitisoreczema, which causes an itchy rash. Coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory properties may decrease the severity of the condition, prevent moisture loss, and improve the skin’s barrier function.Check with a healthcare provider to ensure coconut oil is a good option.
Reducing Stretch Marks
While coconut oil can’t physically removestretch marksfrom pregnancy or another cause, it’s possible that applying this oil to the targeted areas may help reduce their appearance. Coconut oil’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties may also promote skin healing from within, reducing the chances of stretch marks developing.
Healing After Surgery
Coconut oil has wound-healing effects and can contribute to healing.It is one ingredient that’s recommended for application near the vaginal area to promote healing after surgeries such as a septate hymen.Speak with a healthcare provider for postsurgical instructions before using coconut oil.
Treating Hemorrhoids
When over-the-counter (OTC) remedies forhemorrhoids(swollen veins in the anus or rectum) aren’t helping, coconut oil may be a suitable replacement. In one study, researchers found coconut oil reduced hemorrhoid discomfort in pregnant people more than other lifestyle modifications alone.
Ask a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or aren’t getting better after a few days.
Making Sex Comfortable
Coconut oil may be an effectivepersonal lubricant, making sex more comfortable due to its moisturizing properties. However, oil-based lubricants can damagelatex condoms, making them less effective.Before applying coconut oil to the skin on and around the genitals, be sure the product doesn’t have added sugars or other ingredients that could lead to a vaginal infection.
How to Apply Coconut Oil on Skin
Where Not to Put Coconut Oil
What Skin Types Does Coconut Oil Help?
If you’re unsure about your skin type or whether coconut oil application would be a good fit for you, check with a healthcare provider before trying.
There are two types of coconut oil, and both are solid before melting into a liquid formula.
Unrefined coconut oil is oil that hasn’t undergone additional processing outside of extracting the oil. It is either wet or dry-pressed from coconut and comes with the signature coconut scent and flavor. A term found on the label of some unrefined varieties is “cold-pressed,” meaning the extraction process didn’t use heat.
Refined coconut oil means that some processing has occurred to remove some of the natural components within the oil. It’s characterized as a “cleaner” oil without a telltale coconut scent or taste and may be used more for cooking or baking. Refined coconut oil may lose some of the coconut’s antioxidant benefits during production.
Should Anyone Not Use Coconut Oil on Their Skin?
People prone toclogged pores and acneshould not apply coconut oil to their skin without consulting with a healthcare provider such as adermatologist(a specialist in skin, hair, and nail conditions).
Anyone who has had an allergic reaction tonatural oils(like sunflower oil or similar natural ingredients) or acoconut allergyshould ask a healthcare provider before using coconut oil on the skin. Unrefined coconut oil can contain potential allergenic proteins that may be removed during the extraction process in refined coconut oil.
People seeking to use coconut oilas an SPFshould likely reconsider. Although some research has suggested that coconut oil’s antioxidant properties may helpprotect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, most experts agree that regular SPF is recommended until further scientific evidence confirms these findings.
Summary
In addition to moisturizing, coconut oil may have other properties that are good for the skin. Research shows coconut oil’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents might help with wound healing, scar reduction, and treatment of certain skin conditions. As applying oils may be problematic for people with certain skin types, check with a healthcare provider before adding coconut oil to your skin care routine.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1). doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of virgin coconut oil.JTradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012.Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: arandomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339Chew YL.The beneficial properties of virgin coconut oil in management of atopic dermatitis.Phcog Rev.2019;13:24-7. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_29_18Ibrahim AH, Li H, Al-Rawi SS, et al.Angiogenic and wound healing potency of fermented virgin coconut oil:in vitroandin vivostudies.Am J Transl Res. 2017;9(11):4936-4944.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Diagnosis and management of hymenal variants.Jesmani E, Ebrahimzadeh S, Kordi Masoumeh, Rakhshandeh H, et al.The effect of coconut oil ointment on the symptom of hemorrhoids in pregnant women: Randomized clinical trial.Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility.2019 Oct. doi:10.22038/ijogi.2019.42679.3902Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339National Eczema Association.Coconut oil and eczema.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityrosporum folliculitis.Ng YJ, Tham PE, Khoo KS, Cheng CK, Chew KW et al.A comprehensive review on the techniques for coconut oil extraction and its application.Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2021;44(9):1807-1818. doi:10.1007/s00449-021-02577-9Sandupama P, Munasinghe D, Jayasinghe M.Coconut oil as a therapeutic treatment for alzheimer’s disease: a review.Journal of Future Foods. 2022;2(1):41-52. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2022.03.016American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy: Nut oils in topical products.Korać RR, Khambholja KM.Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation.Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(10):164-173. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.91114
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1). doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of virgin coconut oil.JTradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012.Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: arandomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339Chew YL.The beneficial properties of virgin coconut oil in management of atopic dermatitis.Phcog Rev.2019;13:24-7. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_29_18Ibrahim AH, Li H, Al-Rawi SS, et al.Angiogenic and wound healing potency of fermented virgin coconut oil:in vitroandin vivostudies.Am J Transl Res. 2017;9(11):4936-4944.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Diagnosis and management of hymenal variants.Jesmani E, Ebrahimzadeh S, Kordi Masoumeh, Rakhshandeh H, et al.The effect of coconut oil ointment on the symptom of hemorrhoids in pregnant women: Randomized clinical trial.Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility.2019 Oct. doi:10.22038/ijogi.2019.42679.3902Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339National Eczema Association.Coconut oil and eczema.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityrosporum folliculitis.Ng YJ, Tham PE, Khoo KS, Cheng CK, Chew KW et al.A comprehensive review on the techniques for coconut oil extraction and its application.Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2021;44(9):1807-1818. doi:10.1007/s00449-021-02577-9Sandupama P, Munasinghe D, Jayasinghe M.Coconut oil as a therapeutic treatment for alzheimer’s disease: a review.Journal of Future Foods. 2022;2(1):41-52. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2022.03.016American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy: Nut oils in topical products.Korać RR, Khambholja KM.Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation.Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(10):164-173. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.91114
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1). doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of virgin coconut oil.JTradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012.Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: arandomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339Chew YL.The beneficial properties of virgin coconut oil in management of atopic dermatitis.Phcog Rev.2019;13:24-7. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_29_18Ibrahim AH, Li H, Al-Rawi SS, et al.Angiogenic and wound healing potency of fermented virgin coconut oil:in vitroandin vivostudies.Am J Transl Res. 2017;9(11):4936-4944.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Diagnosis and management of hymenal variants.Jesmani E, Ebrahimzadeh S, Kordi Masoumeh, Rakhshandeh H, et al.The effect of coconut oil ointment on the symptom of hemorrhoids in pregnant women: Randomized clinical trial.Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility.2019 Oct. doi:10.22038/ijogi.2019.42679.3902Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339National Eczema Association.Coconut oil and eczema.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityrosporum folliculitis.Ng YJ, Tham PE, Khoo KS, Cheng CK, Chew KW et al.A comprehensive review on the techniques for coconut oil extraction and its application.Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2021;44(9):1807-1818. doi:10.1007/s00449-021-02577-9Sandupama P, Munasinghe D, Jayasinghe M.Coconut oil as a therapeutic treatment for alzheimer’s disease: a review.Journal of Future Foods. 2022;2(1):41-52. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2022.03.016American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy: Nut oils in topical products.Korać RR, Khambholja KM.Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation.Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(10):164-173. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.91114
Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1). doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of virgin coconut oil.JTradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012.
Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: arandomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339
Chew YL.The beneficial properties of virgin coconut oil in management of atopic dermatitis.Phcog Rev.2019;13:24-7. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_29_18
Ibrahim AH, Li H, Al-Rawi SS, et al.Angiogenic and wound healing potency of fermented virgin coconut oil:in vitroandin vivostudies.Am J Transl Res. 2017;9(11):4936-4944.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Diagnosis and management of hymenal variants.
Jesmani E, Ebrahimzadeh S, Kordi Masoumeh, Rakhshandeh H, et al.The effect of coconut oil ointment on the symptom of hemorrhoids in pregnant women: Randomized clinical trial.Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility.2019 Oct. doi:10.22038/ijogi.2019.42679.3902
Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339
National Eczema Association.Coconut oil and eczema.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityrosporum folliculitis.
Ng YJ, Tham PE, Khoo KS, Cheng CK, Chew KW et al.A comprehensive review on the techniques for coconut oil extraction and its application.Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2021;44(9):1807-1818. doi:10.1007/s00449-021-02577-9
Sandupama P, Munasinghe D, Jayasinghe M.Coconut oil as a therapeutic treatment for alzheimer’s disease: a review.Journal of Future Foods. 2022;2(1):41-52. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2022.03.016
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy: Nut oils in topical products.
Korać RR, Khambholja KM.Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation.Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(10):164-173. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.91114
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