I’ve just spent all morning researching virgin coconut oil and I’ve now formed the opinion that coconut oil is an amazing oil that I wish I’d discovered a long time ago! Virgin coconut oil is fantastic for your skin and for treating acne, taken orally or applied directly to your skin.
For the last couple of days I’ve been using organic virgin coconut oil instead of olive oil in my oil cleansing method (OCM) and the results have been great. I decided to try the different oil because I felt as though the olive oil was clogging my pores a little, even though my acne has cleared up while I’ve been using it. I don’t know exactly what a clogged pore looks like but I’ve noticed that my skin is a little bumpier, and has significantly more blackheads then it used to. I blame this partially on the Maca experiment I’ve just done, but I have a feeling the olive oil may be too thick for my skin type.
The OCM is great for acne prone skin because the oils penetrate deep into the pores making the clogged sebum slippery so the plugs can slide out while you’re massaging your skin. I think the bumpiness on my face may in fact be the plugs making their way out, but perhaps the olive oil is too thick and they’re having trouble getting all the way out and are getting stuck!
When using the coconut oil, I found it to be a lot thinner and lighter in color than olive oil. The mix I made up of coconut and castor oil was almost completely clear in color. I think this is because it’s summer in Australian and it’s quite hot. Apparently the oil turns cloudy under 24°C. When I poured the oil into the palm of my hand, it was also a lot runnier than what I’m used to with the olive oil.
The coconut oil also has a very sweet smell. The first time I used it, I almost felt like a giant coconut cookie! I really like the smell though, probably more than the olive oil smell.
I found that after a couple of days of using the coconut oil, it started to draw some of the toxins out. I’ve had a pimple on my chin for a few days that was sitting underneath the surface, it felt sore but you couldn’t see anything. The coconut oil must have drawn the toxins out because a day after using the oil the pimple came to the surface and formed a little head, then the next day it was completely gone. I’ve also developed a few very small pimples on my cheeks that you can hardly see and don’t hurt. I think again it’s the impurities coming out. This aligns with a lot of the information that I’ve read today in forums. It seems that when you first start using the coconut oil, you can experience a small whitehead breakout as it brings all the toxins out. This breakout should clear up within a few days leaving you with smooth skin.
Why coconut oil
Olive oil is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties which is why it’s so great in skin care and why it’s the recommended oil to use in the OCM. But coconut oil is pretty awesome too.
Coconut oil contains large amounts of lauric acid which is well know for being very anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. These antiseptic essential fatty acids found in the oil help prevent bacterial infections (which is what acne is) when taken orally or applied directly to the skin. I have read countless testimonials on the Internet from people who claim that applying coconut oil directly to their skin cured their acne or helped clear their skin. I don’t think applying any essential oils directly to acne prone skin and leaving it on overnight is a very good idea, but using coconut oil in the OCM is probably a great substitute for olive oil.
Coconut oil is also a well known cooling oil, which is great for hot, inflamed skin (which is what a lot of acne prone skin is). Your skin may not feel hot, but in Chinese and Indian medicine, acne prone skin has the property of too much ‘heat’ or ‘warmth’. So using an oil that cools our skin down is a good thing.
Coconut oil supposedly also mimics your skins natural oils and should not clog your pores.
Oh, and using coconut oil on your skin also helps protect you from sun exposure, I guess that’s just one little added bonus 
When not to use coconut oil
One oil will never work for everyone. Keep in mind that you can have allergies or intolerances to anything, even natural products. I for example have an intolerance to tee tree oil, it actually breaks me out! In the beginning the coconut oil may make your skin a little worse as it helps draw out toxins and impurities. It is very common to experience a little outbreak of whiteheads after using the coconut oil for the first time. This should clear up within a few days. If it doesn’t clear up, then you may have an allergy or intolerance to the oil and you should consider discontinuing its use.
So, I’m going to keep using the coconut oil to see if it is better than the olive oil for me. I’ll have to give it a couple of weeks at least to properly give it a test. If you’re considering using coconut oil in your OCM, make sure you buy virgin olive oil that is cold compressed, and preferably organic. This is just to make sure as many of the good vitamins and minerals as possible are kept in the oil. I use the brand nui which I picked up from a health food store (see the picture above).
Fran
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
30 responses ↓
Hi Fran,
I’ll be watching your posts with interest over the next few weeks to see how the coconut oil goes. I have started & stopped the oil cleansing method a couple of times now. At first I accidently read your post wrong and had 3:1 ratio castor oil to olive oil. This led to dry scaly skin. I’m finding using oils as a cleanser a bit scary.
I’m also not sure how much bicarb I need as a deodorant. I haven’t found it as effective as the crystals so far. However, it’s handy being able to give the sink a little bicarb scrub after doing my underarms
: ).
If we need advice from you, is it best to just post in comments? Thanks
Yeah, using oils as a cleanser can be really scary. Just make sure you fix the oil ratio so you don’t get dry skin, because dry skin can cause pimples.
What made me stick with the OCM was all the great testimonials in forums from so many sites on the web, and the fact that it helped clear up my cystic acne. I do have more whiteheads at the moment than I’d like though, so I’ll have to keep everyone updated on the status of that and if the coconut oil fixes it. Perhaps it’s important to find the right oil that works for you.
Oh that’s interesting that you find the crystal more effective! For me they both work just as well, but I like the fact that the bi carb is so cheap and seems so basic and natural. It may be hard to travel with though so I might switch back to a water and crystal spray. As for how much you need, that’s down to experimenting, but I find I don’t need much at all. If I use too much I can see it on my arms anyway.
If you need advice you can post in comments or there is a contact form in the ‘about’ section.
fran
Good advice once again Fran, and you’re spot on about different oils being appropriate for different skins as we all react slightly differently.
Another one to consider is Jojoba. It’s a fantastic oil for acne prone skins as it’s very light. it’s considered one of the closes to the skins own natural sebum, which means it is easily absorbed so it won’t just sit on the skin as olive oil tends to do. So a fantastic combination is to use the coconut oil to cleanse (or at least a cleanser that is high in coconut) and then a small amount of jojoba to nourish and prep the skin for make-up etc
Hi Bel. I’ve noticed in the last week or two that my pores have been a little larger and I’ve had an increase in the amount of blackheads. This could be because of my maca experiment, but I’m concerned it’s because of the oils. I know olive oil has a low comedogenic rating but perhaps it didn’t sit well with my skin.
I’m really fed up with trying different cleansers, and the OCM was SO great at fixing up my cystic acne …so I’m thinking about trialling the water only method. Have you any experience with this?
fran
Hi Fran,
the water only method can seem appealing as it’s so back to nature and it seems like naturally water is all we should need, however we definitely need more than that these days. Even if you dont wear make-up, the dirt and pollution build up in the air around us is easily absorbed by our skins. If we don’t cleanse it off it can stay there, clog the pores, increase the amount of free radicals, and heighten sun damage to our skin. Water itself has no emollient to it, which means it won’t draw out any of the impurities, so you need some sort of medium to do this.
Coconut oil has natural cleansing properties and as you already mentioned is very cooling, so out of all the oils is probably the best choice. Olive oil on the other hand, while it is non comedogenic is quite heavy and thick, so generally sits on the outer layer of the skin, preventing fresh oxygen to flow, which in turn can cause congestion, which can then have caused the white heads you’ve mentioned.
Are you using a mask? My best recommendation would be to continue cleansing with the coconut oil, and see how it works, but a few times a week to use a deep cleansing clay mask or even an exfoliant, to ensure that you are getting deep into the pores and not just brushing the surface.
Hope this helps, but keep us posted. I personally have tried cleansing with just oil a few times, but I can’t bring myself to do it constantly – I think that’s just the Beauty Therapist in me needing to do the ‘official’ cleansing routine!
Bel
Thanks Bel, that’s really great advice. Can you advise any good masks? I’ve used a lot of clay masks but lately I’ve found myself becoming intolerant to them. Green clay in particular makes my skin red and a little itchy, I think my skin is too dry for it. The red used to be great but not anymore, white clay is okay but I think I can do better.
Hi Fran. First of all, thank you for your response to my other post about taking different types of oil. I quit taking fish oil because it made my skin and hair too oily, but I’ve started the Flax seed oil that you suggested. So far, my body seems to be tolerating that well.
As far as the oil cleansing, I bought some olive oil and castor oil, but I’m terrified to start trying them on my skin. My acne has been so bad lately, and I actually want to die because of how hideously ugly I feel! I am afraid of my skin getting WORSE. Right now, I’m using a mild Neutrogena cleanser and Retin A at night. I know I should probably get away from the Retin A. I’m just so afraid.
The coconut oil sounds like it’s been really helpful to others. Do you think I should start off trying the oil cleanse with coconut oil, or stick with the olive oil? It’s probably hard to say, as all people have different skin types and different reactions. Just wondering your opinion.
Your website is awesome, and I sure appreciate you sharing your skin experiences with all of us!
When you say Green irritates you, do you mean on it’s own? It could be the quality of the clay you’re getting. But if you’re trying pure organic green clay with no other ingredients, then maybe it’s just to abrasive for you. White clay is like you said…’okay’. it really doesnt do too much (as i’m sure you noticed) as it’s meant for really sensitive skin, more to soothe and hydrate. One thing you could do though, is try combining the two. This way you’re getting the really deep cleansing and refining properties of the green clay, without it being at it’s full strength.
Perhaps try a ratio of 1 tspn green clay to 1 tsp white clay and see how it goes.
Yellow clay is really soothing and calming (great for inflammation) and pink clay is like a milder version of red (both of which are fanstastic at counterbalancing redness in the skin - particularly with pimples).
If you have trouble finding good quality organic clay let me know as I have a few good suppliers I can pass on.
Also don’t forget that adding things to the mask can make it even more effective. If you’re particularly red and inflammed ie, the cystic acne, try mushing up a cucumber and adding it in.
If you have a lot of white heads squeeze a tiny amount of lemon juice (don’t go overboard) and the juice of a small garlic clove - both being anti-bacterial, works great.
Hi Chrystine, that’s great that the flaxseed oil is working better for you
You may also want to try and get a second opinion from a different naturopath to the one you were seeing last time.
Please don’t think that you look ugly because of your acne. It always will look worse to you than everybody else. Make sure you remind yourself every day of how beautiful you are.
If you’re worried about starting the OCM, that’s okay! You could try sticking to the Neutrogena cleanser and Retin A for now, and concentrating on your supplements and diet. When your acne starts to improve, then you’ll get the confidence up to try the OCM.
I’m also doing a lot of research on the OCM at the moment, and the different oils that are used in the cleansing method, so you might want to keep a look out for my results on that. The OCM was awesome at clearing up my cystic acne, but I have been left with enlarged pores and blackheads so I’ll have to do a bit of testing to see if it was from the maca or one of the oils.
Fran
Thanks Bel, they’re awesome tips …I’m definitely going to try mixing the two clays together, and those extra additions sound good too.
Please tell me where I can purchase Virgin Coconut Oil on the northside of Brisbane Australia. Regards Kath.
Hi Kath, you can buy organic virgin coconut oil from most health stores. I’ve found it at both Mrs Flannerys and Wray Organic food store. I haven’t tried any others.
[...] Rosewood dry oil (at least for the time being) as I keep breaking out shortly after I use it. I initially read that coconut oil can cause breakouts when newly introduced, but that it’s due to toxins [...]
hi i was wondering what you meant about “Just make sure you fix the oil ratio so you don’t get dry skin”
Hi Maria, castor oil is the ‘cleansing’ oil in the mix, but it can also be drying. So if you have dry skin, you need to use less castor oil and more of the other oil. If you have oily skin, you need to use more castor oil and less of the other oil.
This post may help you out:
http://www.highonhealth.org/why-you-need-to-start-using-the-oil-cleansing-method-ocm/
Let me know if you have any more questions
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone here knows DHC products; it’s a skin care line from Japan that specializes in using olive oil as cleanser, moisturizer etc…I live in South Korea and people here tend to have oiler skin, more prone to breakouts etc..DHC’s products are olive oil based and the basic skin care line (olive oil based cleanser, mild toner and olive based soap) are very popular in the states and in Asia.
Can coconut oil make the skin dry as well?
Hi Maria, I never had a problem with coconut oil making my skin dry, in fact it kept my skin at a good balance and I have dry skin.
Be careful with the coconut oil though. I wrote in a later post how my skin ended up breaking out. I have heard of a couple of other cases of this, however there are many that have used it with no problems. I might just have some kind of sensitivity to it.
How do you feel about using and olive and coconut oil mixture with castor oil for the OCM?
What do you suggest for hyperpigmentation?
J- coconut oil was a bit of a disaster for my skin, in fact I did the OCM completely wrong and ended up with clogged pores which has taken me almost 3 months to get rid of!
It doesn’t really matter what combination of oils you use, as long as they fit well with your skin. Just make sure you don’t do it too ofter (start with just a couple of times a week), and remove all the oils off your face after you’re done. Do a search on my blog (search box is on the right hand side of the screen) for ‘OCM’ and it will pull up all the articles.
Unfortunately hyperpigmentation is difficult to get rid of. You’re best to consult your dermatologist about options available. OR you could try something like microdermabrasion.
Hey!
I started breaking on my forehead in Dec.after never having to worry about my skin. I had the mandatory menstrual zit but that was never anything significant.
I am guilty of trying a bunch of stuff to help clear my current break out. I currently do the OCM every other day with a 30:70 ratio of Castor oil to olive oil respectively. i also add 2 drops of tee tree oil into the mix.
On my non-OCM days i use a mud soap from the dead sea and moisturize with a shea butter/jojoba oil mix. I’m thinking about adding some vitamin E to this moisturizer mix……..think its a good idea???? My break outs have definately improved but the scaring is significant…….hopefully the Vit. E oil helps with this.
Hi Kaway, I bet if you settled down on your skin routine your skin would clear up! That’s what happened with me. I gave myself a bad case of cosmetic acne that has taken me months to get under control.
Sounds like you’re onto a good thing though since your skin is clearing.
I’ve used Emu oil before to help scars, but it unfortunately was too heavy for my skin and broke me out. Vit E is supposed to be great. At the moment I’m using Paula’s Choice BHA to help purge my clogged pores (nothing natural would do it), and it’s helping my scars heal faster too
I just have to use it once a day or even just every other day because it is quite harsh.
Fran…so, if the co-nut oil din’t end up working for you…what are using now? Is it working…for how long have you been using it?
HI J, well I’ve tried a lot since then. I’m pretty much doing everything I say in the mini-course which has helped a lot, and also taking herbs given to me by my Chinese Herbalist. Lately I’ve been using a new product to help get rid of my comedonal acne from Paula’s Choice which I’ll be writing about soon
WOW…I have been researching for months to try and help my daughter’s cystic acne. I had heard of coconut oil and found this blog.
I am under the impression that it is the oil that causes acne so it is difficult for me to understand how an oil can help, unless the oil is just for cleaning and then after wards you need to close the pores?
She has been on dioxx for one year, we have done homeopathics as well as Retina A, BP and Benzaclyn. Initially after the antibiotics her skin cleared afetr the first 2 months and stayed clear for 4 months-it was usggested she wean off the meds and it returned like a vengenace..and it has been very scarring.
We have tried EVERYTHING..unfortunately, she covers is upw ith much foundation (she is not even 15 yet) and she won’t wash it off till she takes a shower at 9 PM,,so she has the makeup on literally 15 hours. She also has facial hair that we are spending much money to remove thru electrolysis, so I can’t help but thinkt here is a hormonal relationship that nothing topical would help. The endocrinologist found “nothing” but a saliva test found high testosterone so int he summer when school is out we will do a 3-5 day fast and then supplements to try and correct the hormone imbalance. Supposedly this is created initially by blood sugar handling problems –after reading all these posts, unfortuantely for her I think the oil would just make things worse. We were told to do Accutane but I have heard horror stories. This is just such a sad thing to deal with–with all the technology in this world, you would think Acne could be conquered. I do knwo my daugher does not drink enough water., But I can’t force it down her throat and she needs to care enough to make changes in her own life. She puts globs of makeup on and i can’t say I blame her-it is a source of embarassment for her.
Hi Debbie,
With the facial hair and her testosterone levels AND the fact that it’s CYSTIC acne, it sounds like she does have a hormonal balance. The coconut oil is unlikely to make a difference.
Has she been tested for PCOS? Facial hair and acne are two of the symptoms ..so you might want to rule that out.
Supplements and a low GI diet will help a lot, they’ll certainly clear up some if not all of her acne, and make the skin less inflamed. If she’s in her teens though, it can sometimes be really hard to follow a disciplined diet when all your friends are eating junk food.
As for the makeup, it’s okay if she wears it for that long, but make sure she’s using a mineral makeup. Mineral makeups sit on the surface of the skin so they don’t clog pores. They’re also the best type of makeup for hiding acne.
There are contraceptive pills available that are designed to clear severe or cystic acne. They are used more for acne than what they’re ACTUALLY for, because they work so well at controlling the hormone levels. I’d definitely consider using one of these pills before roaccutane, because the side effects are not as harsh, and it’ll be targeting her particular problem - hormonal acne. I understand though that may be a big step though, putting your daughter on the pill! But with the scarring it may be an option.
I agree, with all this technology there should be a ‘cure’ for acne. It just seems to be one of those ailments that is caused by so many different factors so it’s difficult to treat the root cause of the problem for everyone.
G’day Fran,
Awesome blog!!
I notice that on your webiste and youtube videos that you’re always trying out different products, such as the coconut oil, the cytaphill and the philosophy pure cleanser.
I wanted to ask despite trying all these different products are there any ones in particular that you consistently go back to in your skin care routine?
I have given BP and synthetic cleansers the flick as of 2 weeks ago. Right now I am trialing Baking Soda, Tea Tree Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar. I figure the sooner I find the right cleansers the better as not to aggravate my skin.
Hey Fran , It’s Carmen again.. My face seems to be getting worse than ever now bumps , white heads soreness and embarrasment. I also still have this huge cystic pimple that’s been on my back for the longest time . HELP !
Hi Carmen-
Have you read my mini-course and acne treatment guide?(http://www.eatawayyouracne.com) They’ll both help a lot.
Or you can get personal acne cure coaching with me.
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