How and When to Use Coconut Oil as a Natural Moisturizer

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.

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."

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.

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,