Virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) is pure cold-pressed coconut oil from the meat of the coconut palm fruit.
Virgin coconut oil is composed of fatty acids and polyphenols and has many benefits for your skin.
The aroma of virgin coconut oil is rich, creamy and subtly sweet, with undertones of fresh fruit.
This article with discuss:
- What is virgin coconut oil?
- How is virgin coconut oil made?
- What does virgin coconut oil smell like?
- What color is virgin coconut oil?
- What does virgin coconut oil feel like?
- What is composition of virgin coconut oil?
- Does virgin coconut oil clog pores?
- Summary
- References
What is virgin coconut oil?
INCI: Cocos nucifera (Virgin Coconut) Oil
Extraction Method: cold pressed
Appearance: clear when liquid, white when solid
Texture: lightweight, smooth, creamy
Aroma: strong natural coconut scent
Virgin coconut oil is pure cold-pressed coconut oil from the meat of the coconut palm fruit.
Virgin coconut oil is made by cold pressing the oil from the coconut meat.
Virgin coconut oil is unrefined - it has not been bleached or deodorized.
Virgin coconut oil has a pleasant coconut aroma.
How is virgin coconut oil made?
Virgin coconut oil can be produced directly from the fresh coconut meat, or from coconut milk, or from coconut milk residue (Bawalan et al, 2006).
Virgin coconut oil is obtained from fresh, mature kernel (meat) of the coconut by mechanical or natural means, with or without the use of heat, without undergoing chemical refining, bleaching or de-odorizing, and which does not lead to the alteration of the nature of the oil (Bawalan et al, 2006).
Virgin coconut oil differs greatly from traditionally produced, copra derived coconut oil, which must undergo chemical refining, bleaching and de-odorization processes to make it suitable for consumption (Bawalan et al, 2006).
Virgin coconut oil has a fresh coconut aroma that can be mild to intense depending on the oil extraction process used.
What does virgin coconut oil smell like?
Virgin coconut oil has a strong natural coconut aroma that is buttery and sweet and evokes memories of summer days at the beach.
The aroma of coconut oil can vary greatly depending on how it is processed.
Extra virgin coconut oil and virgin coconut oil have the strongest natural coconut aroma.
Virgin coconut oil is minimally processed, so it retains its nutrients and aromatic compounds.
Refined coconut oil and MCT oil derived from coconut have minimal to zero coconut aroma.
Learn more: What Does Virgin Coconut Oil Smell Like?
What color is virgin coconut oil?
Virgin coconut oil is a white solid at room temperature, and is clear when it is liquid.
What does virgin coconut oil feel like?
The texture of virgin coconut oil is lightweight, smooth and creamy.
Virgin coconut oil creates an oily, protective barrier on the skin which is absorbed fairly quickly.
What is composition of virgin coconut oil?
Virgin coconut oil is composed of fatty acids, vitamin E polyphenols and minor compounds such as lactones.
Virgin coconut oil is mainly composed of saturated fatty acids, including lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid.
Virgin coconut oil contains fatty acids including:
- 49% lauric acid
- 18% myristic acid
- 8% palmitic acid
- 8% caprylic acid
- 7% capric acid
- 6% oleic acid
- 2% linoleic acid
- 2% stearic acid
Coconut oil has been shown to contain vitamin E (Shahidi et al, 2016).
Vitamin E is a family of compounds with different vitamin E activities and antioxidant properties that includes tocopherols and tocotrienols
Learn more: What is topical vitamin E?
Coconut oil contains small amounts of vitamin E tocopherols:
- 0.002 - 0.018 mg/g alpha-tocotrienol
- trace - 0.002 mg/g beta-tocotrienol
- trace - 0.001 mg/g gamma-tocopherol
- none - 0.004 mg/g delta-tocopherol
Coconut oil is also a source of vitamin E tocotrienols and has been shown to contain:
- 0.01 - 0.03 mg/g alpha-tocopherol
- trace - 0.002 mg/g beta-tocopherol
- 0.003 - 0.006 mg/g gamma-tocopherol
- trace - 0.001 mg/g delta-tocopherol
Virgin coconut oil is also rich in polyphenols with antioxidant activity (Marina et al, 2009) that can protect your skin against oxidative stress and damage.
The total phenolic contents in virgin oil are higher than commercial coconut oil (Rohman et al., 2021).
Learn more: 5 Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil for Dry Skin
Does virgin coconut oil clog pores?
Virgin coconut oil is often considered to be non-comedogenic, meaning it is less likely to clog pores compared to some other oils. However, it's important to note that individual skin types can vary, and what works well for one person may not work the same for another. While many people use virgin coconut oil on their skin without experiencing any issues, there is still a possibility that it could clog pores for some individuals, particularly those with very oily or acne-prone skin.
If you are concerned about the potential for pore-clogging or acne, it's recommended to perform a patch test before applying virgin coconut oil to your face or other acne-prone areas of your body. Apply a small amount of the oil to a small area and observe how your skin reacts over the course of 24 to 48 hours. If you notice any signs of irritation, redness, or increased acne breakouts, it may be best to avoid using coconut oil on your skin.
Ultimately, it's a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific skin type and concerns.
Summary
Virgin coconut oil is pure cold-pressed coconut oil from the meat of the coconut palm fruit.
Virgin coconut oil is composed of fatty acids and polyphenols and has many benefits for your skin.
Virgin coconut oil has a strong natural coconut aroma that is buttery and sweet and evokes memories of summer days at the beach.
We use organic extra virgin coconut oil that is cold-pressed and unrefined. Our coconut oil is Fair Trade and comes from a sustainable source.
We infuse our virgin coconut oil with calendula flowers, chamomile flowers and whole vanilla beans, resulting in a rich, creamy, decadent aroma.
We use our signature coconut oil infusion in our Dry Skin Love Wild Orange Oil to Milk Cleanser.
References
Bawalan, D. D., & Chapman, K. R. (2006). Virgin coconut oil. Production manual for micro and village scale processing. FAO regional office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. First Published February D, 2006.
Marina AM, Man YB., Nazimah SA. & Amin I. (2009). Antioxidant capacity and phenolic acids of virgin coconut oil. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 60, 114-123.
Masaki H. Role of antioxidants in the skin: anti-aging effects. J Dermatol Sci. 2010 May;58(2):85-90.
Rohman A., Irnawati, Erwanto Y., Lukitaningsih E., Rafi M., Fadzilah NA., Windarshi A., Sulaiman A., Zakaria Z. Virgin Coconut Oil: Extraction, Physicochemical Properties, Biological Activities and Its Authentication Analysis. Food Reviews International. 2021. Volume 37, Issue 1. Pages 46-66.
Santos, J.E.R.. Villarino, B.J.. Zosa, A.R.. Dayrit, F.M. Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Virgin Coconut Oil and their Sensory Attributes. Philippine Journal of Science 140(2) · November 2011.
Shahidi F, de Camargo AC. Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Common and Emerging Dietary Sources: Occurrence, Applications, and Health Benefits. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Oct 20;17(10):1745.
Author Information
Dr. Natasha Ryz is a scientist, skin care expert and an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Dry Skin Love Skincare, and she creates skincare products for beauty, dry skin and pain relief.
Dr. Ryz has a PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and she is a Vanier scholar. She also holds a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
Natasha is the former Chief Science Officer of Zenabis Global, and she oversaw cannabis extraction, analytics, and product development. Her team brought 20 products to market including oils, sprays, vapes and softgels.
Why I Started A Skincare Company
