

"As an oil-based ingredient, coconut oil is best used on dry skin typesthat require extra boosts of hydration," says Dr. "However, it is usually okay to use on the body," says Dr. So if you have oily or acne-prone skin, it's not the best choice for your face. "Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog your pores and increase the appearance of blackheads, whiteheads and acne," Dr. While coconut oil does provide major moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits, not everyone will benefit from using it. " thanks to the saturated fats," explains Dr. "The rich fatty acid content found in coconut oil can help stop the growth of certain microorganisms on the skin," Dr.

"It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce skin irritation," Dr. "It also showed that none of the pediatric subjects developed adverse reactions." "A 2014 clinical study showed that pediatric patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis who used virgin coconut oil for eight weeks showed improvement in decreased transepidermal water loss and increased skin hydration," shares Wnek. "Coconut oil acts as an emollient, which aides in the moisturization of skin," Wnek says. Some of the top beauty benefits of coconut oil include: What are the main benefits of coconut oil for skin? "It is also somewhat antiseptic and useful for conditions like eczema," says Dr. The soothing oil can be used on the skin and for certain skin and scalp conditions. "Its melting point is 78☏ so on a warm day you might see your jar of typically solid coconut oil liquify, but it will re-solidify below 78☏," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek. Virgin coconut oil is slightly different from refined coconut oil, as it's made by cold pressing fresh coconut meat, which is thought to retain more of the nutrients from the fruit. "Coconut oil, also known as cocos nucifera oil, is an edible oil that is made from the white lining, or kernel, of matured coconuts that has a high saturated fat content," says Dr. But before we get into who should use coconut oil on their skin and who should steer clear, let's talk about the basics of the ingredient itself. "While coconut oil has great moisturizing properties, it's not ideal for all skin type s," says Michelle Henry, M.D., founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery in Manhattan.

You may have heard that you can use coconut oil on hair to strengthen and condition your strands, but what about on your skin? Turns out, coconut oil can be a great skin moisturizer - but with some caveats.
