By Siobhan O'Connor
Feb 13, 2020
When you think about the health benefits of coconut oil, the last thing that comes to mind is rubbing the edible plant grease all over your skin and hair. But dermatologists, natural beauty devotees, and a growing body of scientific studies are starting to bring the plant’s potential to light.
“Coconut oil is comprised of a unique combination of natural fats, which makes it useful in treating the skin,” explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. These fatty acids include linoleic acid (which can be beneficial for acne-prone skin) and up to 50% lauric acid (which is hydrating and antimicrobial), he says.
Studies show that coconut oil—which is extracted from the meat of mature coconuts—may improve skin barrier function and repair, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, fights the signs of skin aging, and makes an effective moisturizer, per a 2018 review of research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
And, well, coconut oil smells like cookies. “Is there anything more luscious than coconut oil?” says Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., a founding member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine and the Academy of Women’s Health. We can’t really can’t think of anything—but we can think of amazing beauty uses for coconut oil that don’t require spending a fortune. In fact, all you need is one thing: Raw (and preferably organic) virgin coconut oil.
Now, as tempted as you might be to use it on your peeling sunburn (hello, trapped heat!) or on a fresh cut (stick to antibiotic ointment), you may want to hit pause. Coconut oil won’t work for every ailment—or every skin type (especially if you’re acne-prone, since it’s known to clog the pores). Instead, these are the natural, DIY coconut oil tricks that doctors actually recommend.
