How and When to Use Coconut Oil as a Natural Moisturizer
Liz Desousa for Byrdie
Reviewed by Lucy Chen, MD
Coconut oil shouldn't be reserved for kitchen use only– there's reason to stash some in your bathroom cabinet, too. However, with studies arguing the oil's health benefits when consumed orally, you may be left reconsidering the elixir's topical effectiveness as well. But, don't rush to throw away your favorite jar just yet.
The truth is that coconut oil is good for your skin because of its natural antibacterial and moisture-retention properties, but it may increase breakouts in acne-prone skin. Dermatologist, Jessie Cheung, says coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer for people looking to avoid unnecessary chemicals, but it’s best when applied to the body– rather than the face– to avoid clogging pores and triggering an acne flare.
We appreciate that coconut oil is one of the most accessible and least expensive items for supple, and all-around radiant skin. So, we enlisted help from Dr. Cheung along with dermatologists, Carl Thornfeldt and Anar Mikailov, plus skincare expert and founder, Danielle Conte, to break down whether using coconut oil for skin is right for you and how to incorporate it into your beauty regimen.
Meet the Expert
Carl Thornfeldt, MD, is a clinical dermatologist and founder of the skincare brand Epionce.
Jessie Cheung, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with practices in Chicago, Illinois and New York City.
Anar Mikailov, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of skincare brand, Skintensive.
Danielle Conte is a skincare expert and the founder of coconut oil-based skincare line Conscious Coconut.
What Is Coconut Oil?
"Coconut Oil is derived from coconut meat (white part) and known to contain biosimilar fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories," Dr. Mikailov explains. "The oil is rich in lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and saturated fatty acids, which provide antimicrobial and antifungal properties. There are also compounds like squalane, phytosterols, tocopherols (vitamin E), and phospholipids in its composition."
Coconut Oil
Type of Ingredient: Oil/emollient
Main Benefits: It's occlusive, so it sits on top of the skin, trapping moisture underneath. This helps smooth the skin and lock in existing moisture (however, it does not "hydrate" the skin, contrary to popular belief).
Who Should Use It: Anyone whose skin is not prone to acne or congestion.
How Often You Can Use It: Use as a nightly makeup remover or massage onto your body after a shower as the pores on your body are less prone to congestion.
Works Well With: Coconut oil should be used on its own.
Don't Use It With: There are no known negative reactions with coconut oil.
Dr. Cheung says that because coconut oil is so high in saturated fat, it’s solid at room temperature but will melt when rubbed onto your skin and act as an emollient.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin
It's antibacterial: The lauric acid found in coconut oil gives it antimicrobial properties to kill bacteria on the skin and reduce inflammation.
Exfoliates: Coconut oil "also helps exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells, making your skin smoother," Conte says.
Acts as a makeup remover: Coconut oil is also a brilliant and effective way to wipe away makeup after a long day. Not only does the oil attract dirt and buildup, but according to Dr. Thornfeldt and as mentioned above, it’s also a natural antibacterial and anti-yeast agent.
Plumps the skin: According to Conte, a quality coconut oil “is a wonderful all-natural ‘anti-aging’ moisturizer when applied topically."
Reduces the appearance of fine lines: "When absorbed into your skin and connective tissues, coconut oil helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by helping to keep your connective tissues strong and supple," Conte says.
Smoothes the skin: “For beauty, coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which helps retain the moisture content of your skin while helping it look and feel silky smooth," Conte says.
Eases inflammation: According to a 2019 study, virgin coconut oil was found to suppress inflammatory markers and protect the skin by enhancing skin barrier function. However, this test was done in vitro, so more research needs to be done.
Locks in moisture: Extra virgin coconut oil was found to significantly reduce levels of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increase skin surface lipid levels.
Who Should Use It?
Anyone looking to moisturize their skin can benefit from using coconut oil. It's generally safe for most skin types. The exception: congested or acne-prone skin. (More on this later.)
"Coconut oil ranks high on the comedogenic scale, so it’s not recommended for use in acne-prone areas," Dr. Cheung explains.
Dr. Mikailov says coconut oil is ideal for most skin types, especially those with very dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin. "Those with very oily and very acne-prone skin may only want to use it during the very dry, winter months," he adds.
If you have skin with keratosis pilaris, aka chicken skin, Dr. Mikailov says that using coconut oil helps repair the lipid barrier and provides long-term relief to those dry, irritating, and sometimes bumps.
Side Effects of Coconut Oil
According to our skin experts, unless your skin is especially prone to congestion and pesky breakouts, coconut oil can do wonders for the skin, thanks to its robustly nutrient-dense makeup. However, if your pores tend to clog easily and blackheads are the bane of your existence, you might want to avoid coconut oil, which is heavy and regarded as one of the more comedogenic oils on the market (i.e. it’s more likely to prompt a pimple or two). Or, apply it exclusively to your body parts, which have far fewer oil glands than the face and scalp.
If you don't have breakout-prone skin, coconut oil is fine to use as a part of your daily skincare routine. If your skin is on the congested side, try reaching for other oils like calendula or tamanu, which may be less likely to cause breakouts in oily skin types. However, it is important to note that those with sensitive or eczema prone skin may be irritated by these plant-based oils.
How to Use Coconut Oil
If you’re looking to streamline your beauty and skincare routine (and keep it au naturale), try reaching for coconut oil instead of your go-to facial moisturizer or body lotion. According to Conte, the oil is the quintessential multitasker—thus, perfect for those who don't want to spend a lot of time getting ready.
As with anything we apply to our skin, quality is key. Dr. Thornfeldt says that low-quality coconut oil can be highly processed (and possibly contaminated), which can lead to breakouts and other skin irritations. To be safe, he recommends sticking to a certain formula when making your selection: “I recommend that you only use purified, cold-pressed coconut oil in liquid form,” he says.
Dr. Cheung says to look out for virgin coconut oil, as the refining process can remove beneficial antioxidants. We recommend the Dr. Bronner's Whole Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil ($12).
To use the oil as a makeup remover, simply rub it into your palms to warm and liquefy, then start massaging it into your skin, slowly dissolving the post-workday grime. To finish, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Byrdie Tip
If you wear a lot of product, consider using the double-cleanse tactic and repeat the above steps to ensure every last trace of foundation and mascara has been completely melted away.
Substitutes for Coconut Oil
Almond, sesame, and argan oil are great coconut oil substitutes with similar, natural moisturizing properties. Sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic option for those with acneic skin. Similarly, rosehip, jojoba, hemp seed, and grapeseed oils can be less congesting,
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coconut oil safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, because it boasts soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus, it is natural and gentle, so those with sensitive skin should be in the clear to use it.
Can coconut oil be used on acne-prone skin?
While it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil can cause breakouts and congestion, especially for acneic skin types. If you still want to reap the benefits of coconut oil, use it from the neck down to avoid breakouts.
Is there anyone who shouldn't use coconut oil?
As with any ingredient, trial and error is important. Coconut oil could block the pores or irritate acne-prone skin, so it's a good idea to start with a patch test.
Up Next: How to Use Coconut Oil as Makeup Remover, According to Derms
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