Rachael Link, MS, a registered dietician, maintains that coconut oil is beneficial for the skin because it kills bacteria and viruses, protects the skin against infection, may treat acne, and moisturizes dehydrated and dry skin.
Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Skin?
Written by Rachael Link, MS, RD on April 9, 2017
Coconut oil is a type of fat that has been touted for its health-promoting properties.
From decreasing levels of LDL cholesterol to improving brain function in Alzheimer’s patients, coconut oil is associated with a multitude of health benefits.
In fact, several studies have even found it might have benefits for skin health as well.
This article looks at the evidence to examine whether coconut oil is good for skin.
What Is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is a highly saturated oil that is traditionally made by extracting the oil from raw coconuts or dried coconut kernels (3Trusted Source).
At room temperature it’s solid, but when heated it can soften or even melt.
It’s frequently used in cooking or applied directly to the skin and hair.
Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which are a form of saturated fat. In fact, these medium-chain fatty acids make up about 65% of its total composition.
The fatty acids found in coconut oil include (4Trusted Source):
Lauric acid: 49%
Myristic acid: 18%
Caprylic acid: 8%
Palmitic acid: 8%
Capric acid: 7%
Oleic acid: 6%
Linoleic acid: 2%
Stearic acid: 2%
Although coconut oil is about 90% saturated fat, it does contain small amounts of mono and polyunsaturated fats as well. One tablespoon contains about 12 grams of saturated fat and 1 gram of unsaturated fat.
