We’re going to answer the top questions about coconut oil today. They cover everything from the best coconut oil brands for skin to the differences between virgin, refined, and fractionated coconut oil. We’ll also discuss which kind of coconut oil is best for the face and all-over moisturizing.
If you’ve thought about using coconut oil for your skin and hair, it’s an excellent choice. But don’t just listen to us – scientific studies show that coconut oil has properties that heal the skin. Scroll down to learn more about how to get the most from these coconut oil brands:
The best coconut oil brands for skin | Why we love them |
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Carrington Farms Unrefined, Cold Pressed, Virgin Organic Coconut Oil |
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Nature's Way Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil |
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BetterBody Foods Organic Naturally Refined Coconut Oil |
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NOW Solutions Liquid Coconut Oil |
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Majestic Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil |
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Fractionated Coconut Oil by Sky Organics |
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The differences between types of coconut oil
It’s not obvious at first glance which type of coconut oil you should use for the skin. Here’s a brief description of the three types:
Virgin – It’s the least refined kind of coconut oil that’s expeller-pressed or cold-pressed from fresh coconuts. It smells and tastes like coconuts and has a high percentage of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) and lauric acid.
Refined – This oil is heat-extracted or chemically processed from dried coconuts (copra) and has little to no scent or flavor. It can tolerate more heat for cooking and baking than virgin coconut oil, up to 400°F instead of 350°F.
Fractionated – Colorless and unscented, this lightweight liquid contains fewer fats so it doesn’t solidify as the other two types do. Still, the oil retains a significant amount of medium-chain triglycerides, antioxidants, and fatty acids which makes it ideal for skincare and massages. It absorbs quickly which makes it less likely to clog pores. Plus, it blends well with essential oils and has a long shelf life.
But don’t make your decision yet. Read on to learn more about the best coconut oil brand for skincare.
What coconut oil can do for your skin
Coconut oil is packed with components like lauric acid and medium-chain triglycerides, but what does that even mean? Well, these molecules are antimicrobial, making coconut oil good for treating acne, athlete’s foot, cellulitis, eczema, and other skin infections. (That’s not to say that coconut oil can replace competent medical care).
The high level of antioxidants in coconut oil lessens inflammation and accelerates healing both wounds and scars. Moreover, the oil significantly improves skin moisture levels (1).
How to choose the best coconut oil brand
There are a lot of coconut oil brands to choose from. We suggest considering the following questions to find the best coconut oil for your needs.
- Which type of coconut oil do you prefer, virgin, refined, or fractionated?
- Is the oil certified organic and non-GMO? How is it processed – cold-pressed, heat-treated, or chemically? Is it made in an allergen-free facility?
- How are the purity and quality managed during the manufacturing process?
- Where are the coconuts sourced? Is it sustainable and ethical?
- Is the packaging made of glass or BPA-free plastic? Can it be recycled?
- Do you have other concerns, like whether the oil carries a Kosher certification?
The reviews below strive to provide the answers to these questions.
Best Coconut Oil Brands for Skin in 2024
Carrington Farms Unrefined, Cold-Pressed, Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
Carrington Farms started selling tea in 1999. It wasn’t until 2012 that this family business developed a relationship with coconut farmers in the Philippines to sell coconut oil. Now, it’s one of the most popular manufacturers of certified organic, non-GMO coconut oil. The certification comes from Quality Assurance International (QAI).
They use only young coconuts, never dried copra. The oil is cold-extracted without the use of any chemicals like hexane. Also, the facility is nut-free except for the coconuts.
The oil must pass supplement-grade testing which is superior to food industry requirements. Then it’s packaged in BPA-free containers. For the review today, we chose the 54-ounce jar as it provides excellent value for the money. There’s plenty of oil for the skin, the hair, and for cooking, too!
Being virgin coconut oil, it has a strong coconut flavor, but a very smooth texture. That’s not surprising as the company filters it four times before bottling it. It takes a minute or two to absorb into the skin, depending on how much you rub it and how dry your skin is. Still, it’s handy for removing waterproof makeup and even sticky residue from price tags.
We also liked that the company runs a charitable program called Carrington Cares that feeds two hundred fifty children three times a week in the Philippines.
Pros:
- Pure coconut oil made from fresh young coconuts
- Certified organic and non-GMO
- Packaged in BPA-free containers
- Potent coconut aroma and flavor
- The company uses profits to feed children in the Philippines
Cons:
- None
Nature’s Way Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Why should you choose regular coconut oil that can be used for cooking instead of a specialized skin care product like SheaMoisture or Coco & Co.? Two reasons – the price and the purity. It’s cheaper and smarter to use this type of coconut oil since it’s suitable for everything from moisturizing the skin and hair to baking brownies. The cost per ounce is significantly lower, too. Furthermore, it’s held to food-grades standards for purity instead of only cosmetic regulations.
This coconut oil is made by a brand that’s been manufacturing reputable dietary supplements for more than five decades. Nature’s Way is based in Wisconsin where they have a GMP facility with a state-of-the-art laboratory for testing ingredients. They’ve earned the TRU-ID certification for ingredient purity right down to the DNA.
Not only is the oil USDA-certified organic, it’s also non-GMO Project verified. It’s potent, with 62% medium-chain triglycerides and a lovely taste and scent. Go ahead, blend a tablespoon into your morning beverage and make bulletproof coffee. Rub it into your skin right after your shower or take your makeup off at night with it. It’ll melt right in the palm of your hand.
Pros:
- USDA-certified organic and non-GMO verified
- 62% medium chain triglycerides
- Made in a GMP facility in Wisconsin
- Manufacturer has been making dietary supplements for fifty years
- The company has been certified by TRU-ID for ingredient purity down to the DNA level
Cons:
- None
BetterBody Foods Organic Naturally Refined Coconut Oil
BetterBody Foods is a Utah-based company established in 2007. Its founder decided to battle diabetes with a better diet. These days, the brand donates to a medical facility in the Dominican Republic and does local community service stateside, too.
The company offers refined coconut oil with a neutral scent and flavor. It’s ideal if you want something creamier than fractionated coconut oil, but without the strong coconut aroma of virgin coconut oil. For example, it’s perfect for making lip gloss with other flavors. It’s also slightly lower in calories than virgin coconut oil.
Although it’s refined, no chemicals are used, so it’s hexane-free. It even has approximately 60% medium-chain triglycerides just like virgin coconut oil.
The coconuts are sourced in Indonesia and the Philippines and the oil is packaged in Utah. It has a somewhat yellowish appearance as it’s made with unbleached, organic coconuts.
Happily, the brand carries several certifications for quality, product purity, and proper manufacturing processes including USDA-organic, non-GMO, Kosher, NSF Gluten-Free, and SQF.
Pros:
- Heat-refined oil with a neutral scent and flavor
- Approximately 60% medium-chain triglycerides
- Made with non-GMO organic coconuts, not chemically processed
- Produced by an American brand
- Kosher
Cons:
- None
NOW Solutions Liquid Coconut Oil
NOW is a family-owned business that produces affordable products. It’s a North American brand with some of the most comprehensive testing and quality standards that we’ve ever seen among dietary supplement manufacturers.
Take this fractionated coconut oil, for example. It comes from Malaysia but must pass a battery of purity and quality tests in Illinois before it’s packaged in Canada. It’s non-GMO Project Verified, of course. And even though it’s in a transparent bottle, the material contains UV light protection.
Fractionated coconut oil like this is ultra-lightweight and non-greasy. That’s what makes it so handy for moisturizing the skin and hair. It stays liquid year-round and blends easily with essential oils. You’ll find that it once it absorbs, it doesn’t leave greasy stains on clothing or pillows. Yet it still keeps the skin hydrated and smooth.
Pros:
- Unscented, quick-absorbing fractionated coconut oil
- Blends well with essential oils, suitable for massages, hair masks, and everyday moisturizing
- Non-GMO Project Verified, made from Malaysian coconuts
- Packaged in a UV light protectant bottle
Cons:
- None
Majestic Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil
Majestic Pure is a cosmeceuticals company based in San Diego. All of their products are cruelty-free and GMO-free. They offer a 60-day money-back guarantee so that you have plenty of time to try out this fractionated coconut oil.
It’s packaged with a pump top for convenience. Blend it with your favorite essential oils or use it alone as a moisturizer for dry skin, chapped lips, and frizzy hair. It takes off makeup and prevents razor rash when used for shaving.
The transparent oil has no strong odor, but it’s not edible. It’s only for skin and hair care and other household uses. Just a little bit goes a long way.
Pros:
- Odorless, transparent, and rapidly absorbed by the skin and hair
- Manufactured by a brand based in San Diego
- Cruelty-free and non-GMO
- Comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee
- Packaged with a pump top for easy dispensing
Cons:
- We were unable to obtain detailed information about where the coconuts were harvested and about quality testing
Fractionated Coconut Oil by Sky Organics
Sky Organics was established in 2015. The co-founders got started making products for friends and family in the kitchen. Now they’re opening a facility in Pennsylvania.
They source the coconut oil from Malaysian and it’s made with no added ingredients whatsoever. The affordable price makes it attractive for anyone who loves DIY moisturizers and hair masks.
If you’re wondering how to dilute essential oils with fractionated coconut oil, it’s easy. Experts recommend a 2% dilution for massage oils and lotions (or 1% dilution for sensitive skin). That ends up being about two drops of essential oil per teaspoon of coconut oil for a 2% dilution. Stir well before rubbing it into the skin.
Pros:
- Affordable carrier oil for essential oil blends and DIY cosmetics
- From an American brand
Cons:
- Unfortunately, no in-depth information about the manufacturing or quality testing process
Conclusion
We love using coconut oil for the skin and hair. It fixes everything from chapped lips to cracked heels and dry elbows. It blends well with essential oils and plays nice with sugar in a DIY scrub.
Did the reviews help you find the right coconut oil for your needs? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience with it. Feel free to drop us a comment below.
Source:
1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-skin by Rachael Link, MS, RD, published on April 9, 2017, accessed September 9, 2021