Kayla McDonell, RD, argues that coconut oil is beneficial for acne because it kills the bacteria that causes acne, fights inflammation, protects the skin, and helps heal acne scars.
Does Coconut Oil Treat Acne or Make It Worse?
Acne is a common skin disease that affects up to 80% of people in their lifetime.
It is most common among teenagers, but it can affect adults of all ages.
Because of coconut oil’s many health properties, some people have started using it to treat acne.
This involves applying coconut oil directly to the skin, as well as eating it.
However, while coconut oil has been studied for various health benefits, very little research has examined its ability to fight acne.
What Causes Acne?
Acne forms when oil and dead skin cells clog up pores.
Pores are little holes in the skin, often referred to as hair follicles. Each hair follicle is connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum.
When too much sebum is produced, it can fill and plug the hair follicle. This causes bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes, to grow.
The bacteria get trapped in the follicle, which causes your white blood cells to attack it. This results in skin inflammation, which leads to acne.
Symptoms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. Some cases are more severe than others.
Many factors contribute to the development of acne, including hormone changes, genetics, diet, stress and infection.
