Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties that can help protect against harmful microorganisms.. As with most things, trial and error may be the best approach to determine if coconut oil works for you. Using a small amount and slowly testing your tolerance to it is recommended for those with oily or sensitive skin. Blue Magic Coconut Oil: rated 3 out of 5 on MakeupAlley. You may also have small, raised bumps that itch, then weep fluid and crust over if you scratch them. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil could also help reduce acne. More research is necessary to solidify this connection. However, based on these studies, coconut oil shows great potential in its ability to reduce inflammation when consumed or applied to the skin. Oils fall into the occlusive and emollient categories, meaning they will sit on top of your skin and work to prevent moisture from escaping, hence Dr. Lio’s statement that coconut oil seems to have moisturizing properties. If you’re prone to acne or have very oily skin, try adding a few drops to your normal moisturizer instead to amp up hydration without adding too much extra oil. While refined coconut oil may be better suited for cooking at high temperatures, virgin coconut oil is a better choice in terms of skin health. Some people think coconut oil can reduce eczema flare-ups, soothe inflammation, and lower the risk of infection if you have open sores or cracks in your skin. Since eczema comes down to a problem with the top layer of skin, it makes sense that people might try to combat it by slathering something like coconut oil over the affected areas. Animal studies have shown that coconut oil may help accelerate wound healing. Here's how to identify it, as well as the other symptoms…, According to FDA regulations, sunscreen has a shelf life of 3 years. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary (which she doesn't use at all now) and an M.A. Overall, the people using the virgin coconut oil experienced a greater reduction in eczema severity. The researchers found that 47 percent of children in the coconut oil group had “moderate” improvement in their symptoms while 46 percent had an “excellent” response. Some plant-based products, like tea tree oil, are thought to tamp down on certain microbes that can cause skin issues, Dr. Lio says. Although the health benefits of eating coconut oil are well-studied, research on its effects on the skin is mostly limited to animal or test-tube studies. The system breaks down food, extracts nutrients…. Animal studies have shown that coconut oil may relieve inflammation by improving antioxidant status and decreasing oxidative stress. However, coconut oil may be linked to some potential benefits for skin, including reducing inflammation, keeping skin moisturized and helping heal wounds. Finally, if you’re acne-prone, you should probably take a pass on coconut oil. Twenty people in the coconut oil group had Staphylococcus aureus on their skin, a bacteria that can cause a painful and serious skin infection, while 12 people in the olive oil group did. Also, heads up: Even if you’re fully on the coconut oil bandwagon, it can be a mess to apply. Coconut oil, though it shows promise, doesn’t quite make the (official) cut. Dry processing involves drying coconut meat to create kernels, pressing them to extract the oil, then bleaching and deodorizing them. If you don’t have an allergy to coconut oil, your skin isn’t acne-prone, and you’re not expecting miracles, coconut oil may be a good addition to your eczema-fighting arsenal. (So, from here on out, when we say “eczema,” that’s what we mean.) Can Avocados Improve the Health of Your Skin? For example, those who have oily skin may want to avoid doing so, as it may block pores and cause blackheads. She recommends that people use thicker moisturizers instead (especially since they’re generally known to provide more hydration, anyway). A test-tube study showed that both lauric and capric acid effectively killed off strains of bacteria (9). Twenty people in the coconut oil group had Staphylococcus aureus on their skin, a bacteria that can cause a painful and serious skin infection, while 12 people in the olive oil group did. Even if your skin doesn’t have a natural inclination toward acne, having eczema may make your skin more sensitive, so you should still proceed with caution. Interestingly, coconut oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. It may be that coconut oil can do this, too, potentially reducing how intensely microorganisms like bacteria can irritate your skin (or how likely you may be to get an infection from said bacteria), he says. Remember, when you have eczema, your skin can’t properly protect you from bacteria—so coconut oil’s potential to reduce harmful bacteria may come in handy. Most people can agree that coconut oil is seemingly a magic elixir for anything that ails you. For best results, we recommend you shampoo and condition your hair with Blue Magic products at least once a week to remove styling products, oils, and everyday dirt. Of course, you probably already know if you’re allergic to nuts or to coconut oil specifically, but food allergies can develop in adults, so it’s still worth keeping in mind. Numerous studies have shown that lauric acid, which accounts for nearly half of the fatty acids in coconut oil, has been shown to kill off the strain of bacteria linked to acne (8, 16). Peter Lio, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine who has researched the use of coconut oil for eczema, tells SELF that there’s some data to back this up. When I bought it and realize this I not too pleased because you have to warm it before putting it into your hair or it will kind of sit on top. In one study, researchers applied virgin coconut oil to the inflamed ears of rats. It found that treating the wounds with virgin coconut oil sped up healing, improved antioxidant status and increased levels of collagen, an important protein that aids in wound healing (24). The human digestive system is the means by which tissues and organs receive nutrients to function. But before you roll your eyes, be assured that by the time you finish reading this article, you’ll see why you need it in your grooming closet ASAP. Not only does most of the existing research focus specifically on the effects of virgin coconut oil, but there’s also evidence that it may have added health benefits.