It seems like coconut oil is used everywhere these days, from cooking to skincare. There are those who rave about coconut oil while others blame coconut oil for breakouts and oily skin.

Does coconut oil help the skin? We've heard the health benefits of coconut oil and the Dermatology Times writes:
"...it has been shown to be a capable moisturizer. A randomized double-blind study pitted virgin coconut oil against mineral oil in 34 patients with mild-to-moderate xerosis. In the perhaps surprising conclusion, coconut oil was found to be equal to (with a trend toward being superior to) mineral oil as an emollient, resulting in significant skin hydration and increased surface lipid levels, with equal safety."

Those who have dry skin and/or mild eczema, and those who have a preference for more natural skincare options look to benefit most from coconut oil. If you decide to use coconut oil, look for extra virgin, organic, and unrefined coconut oil. 

However, there are cons of coconut oil as with other botanicals. Specifically, there are a number of coconut-derived compounds present in cosmetics, some of which are not infrequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis. 

In addition, while effective for drier skin types, not all skin types benefit equally. In fact, there are some that should steer clear of it altogether - specifically, those with acne. Coconut oil is comedogenic and should be strictly avoided in anybody suffering with breakouts, as it will aggravate both acne and rosacea.”

Do you use coconut oil in your skincare?