Will Coconut Oil Clear Your Acne?

Coconut Oil May Have Antimicrobial Properties

Coconut oil is pretty amazing, actually. Coconut oil is high in many free fatty acids, specifically lauric acid.

Lauric acid has natural antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown that lauric acid can kill propionibacteria acnes, the main bacteria responsible for causing acne.

Some research has been done on whether lauric acid might be used as an acne treatment. Although initial results look promising, it's still a way off.

Coconut Oil Itself Isn't an Acne Treatment

Just because coconut oil is high in antimicrobial fatty acids, doesn't make treating acne as easy as rubbing a dab on your face.

To work, the lauric acid has to get into the pore where it will do the job. In order to do this, the lauric acid must be put in a vehicle (something to deliver the fatty acid) to where it needs to be.

This is where sources claiming coconut oil can kill acne-causing bacteria are missing the mark. Although coconut oil does have fatty acids with antimicrobial properties, the oil itself isn't potent enough to have an effect on acne.

Acne isn't solely caused by p.acnes bacteria anyway. You also need a treatment that will keep pores from becoming clogged in the first place.

Coconut Oil Can Clog Your Pores

Although many natural skincare gurus and websites state coconut oil won't clog your pores, all sources we've found label coconut oil as medium to high on the comedogenic scale.

In simple terms: coconut oil can clog your pores. If you are prone to acne breakouts, regularly applying this oil to your face (or anywhere else you get pimples) may be doing more harm than good.

Coconut Oil Won’t Erase Acne Marks or Scars

Coconut oil can help moisturize the skin, and make it feel silky smooth. But it won't repair the skin. Unfortunately, it can't do anything to fade acne marks or heal scars.

Those dark marks left after pimples heal are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation generally fades, all by itself, over time.

So, if you've been religiously rubbing coconut oil onto those marks, it may seem like the coconut oil is fading them. In all actuality, the marks would have faded all on their own.

Pitted or raised acne scars won't change a lick with coconut oil. Those types of scars need pro treatments to really improve.

Instead of Coconut Oil, Try This

You don't have to toss your coconut oil. It's a fun, natural addition to your beauty routine (remember, not on your acne-prone areas though). Just don't pin your hopes on it as an acne treatment.

Instead, you'll want to try over-the-counter acne treatments first. The most effective OTC products contain benzoyl peroxide.

If OTC products don't give you the results you're looking for after eight to 12 weeks, a prescription medication is the next best step. Your dermatologist or family physician can help you make an effective acne-busting plan.