How to Use Coconut Oil for Acne

Having acne can be both painful and frustrating. If you're looking for a natural way to improve your skin, though, coconut oil may help. Before you start using coconut oil, determine your skin type and do a patch test to make sure that it won’t irritate your skin. Then, open your pores with a steam treatment, warm the coconut oil in your palms, and massage it into your skin. By incorporating coconut oil into your skin, you might start to see an improvement in your acne!

EditSteps

EditDetermining If Coconut Oil Is Right for Your Skin

Determine your skin type to work out if coconut oil is suitable for you. Wash your face with water as soon as you wake up in the morning and don’t apply any other products. Wait for 4-5 hours and then check your skin the mirror. If your skin has dry or red patches, this means that you have a dry skin type. However, if your face looks oily all over, this means that you have an oily skin type.^[1]
- Make sure that you don’t wipe or blot your face during this time so that you get an accurate result for your skin type.
- There are also a few other skin types. For example, you have a normal skin type if your skin does not change, or a combination skin type if just your T-zone looks oily.
- Alternatively, a dermatologist will be able to professionally determine your skin type.
Use coconut oil only if you have a very dry or very oily skin type. Look at your result from the skin type test. Coconut oil may be beneficial to your skin if it’s too dry or too oily, however, it may not be useful if you have a normal or combination skin type.^[2]
- Coconut oil can be useful for people with dry skin, as it can add oil and moisture which your skin needs to be healthy. Contrastingly, it can also be helpful for people with oily skin, as many harsh acne treatment products will strip your skin of too many natural oils. This means that your skin overcompensates by producing too much oil which exacerbates the acne.
- Coconut oil has a score of 4 out of 5 on the comedogenicity scale. This scale ranks ingredients from the least pore blocking (1) to the most pore blocking (5). This means that coconut oil may not be helpful in treating acne for all skin types.^[3]
Do a patch test to check that coconut oil is safe for your skin. Massage a small amount of coconut oil into the inside of your arm. Wait for 72 hours and check your skin again for any signs or irritation.^[4]
- Redness, swelling, and itchiness are signs of irritation.
- You can do the patch test on a different area of your skin instead if you prefer. Try your neck, behind an ear, or a tiny area of your face.
- If you don’t notice a reaction then you can assume that the coconut oil is safe for your skin.^[5]

EditApplying Coconut Oil to Your Skin

Choose cold-pressed, organic, and virgin coconut oil. This type of coconut oil is the best for treating acne because it is free from any additives that could harm your skin. Purchase the coconut oil from a grocery store, a health store or online. ^[6]
- When you purchase the coconut oil, check that it’s fragrance-free. Unrefined coconut oils are likely to be fragrance-free, but double check as fragrances can be a trigger for acne.^[7]
Steam your face first to open up your pores. Fill a bowl with steaming water. Arrange a towel so that it is draped over your head and shoulders. Lean over the bowl of steam for 3-4 minutes.^[8]
- Hold your head at a distance from the bowl where you can feel the steam against your face, but not so close that it burns or that you feel as though you can't inhale fresh air.
Warm 1 tsp (4 g) of coconut oil up in your palms if it’s in a solid state. Depending on where you live, coconut oil tends to harden to a solid during the cooler months and melt into a liquid during the warmer months. If the coconut oil is hard, scoop out a small amount and massage it in your palm to soften it.^[9]
- It’s best to use your body warmth to soften the coconut oil rather than using a microwave or a stovetop. This is because the oil may heat up too much, which could burn your skin.
Massage 1 tsp (4 g) of coconut oil into your face for 2-3 minutes. Apply the oil to your chin, cheeks, forehead, and nose. Gently rub it into your skin using a circular motion.^[10]
- Be careful not to get the coconut oil in your eyes.
- Don’t rush while you are applying the coconut oil. Take the time to thoroughly massage it into your skin.
Wipe the coconut oil away gently with a facecloth and hot water. Rinse a clean facecloth under hot, running water and wring it out when it is saturated. Hold the facecloth over different areas of your face and let it soak up the excess coconut oil. Rinse the oil out of the facecloth as you move to a different part of your face.^[11]
- Make sure that the water isn’t scalding as this could burn your skin. It should be a hot, yet comfortable temperature.
- Don’t scrub at or be rough with your skin using the facecloth. Using it to gently wipe the coconut oil off or to pat at your skin with is all that’s necessary.
- Don’t worry if your skin still feels a little bit oily. Any leftover excess oil will be removed when you use a gentle cleanser.
Wash your face with gentle cleanser. Use a natural facial cleanser or some mild soap to gently remove the rest of the coconut oil from your face. If required, wet your face again before you apply the cleanser.^[12]
- Follow the instructions about how to apply it on the label of the cleanser.
Apply the coconut oil to your skin every morning and night. Follow a regular routine of using coconut oil, such as every morning as soon as you get out of bed and every night just before you go to sleep. Check your skin often for signs of improvement and stop using it if it keeps resulting in breakouts.^[13]
- It may be helpful to take a photo of your skin every few days. This will help you to see if overall the coconut oil is making a difference to your skin.
- While coconut oil can cause your skin to breakout during the first few days that you use it, for many people it does eventually clear up and help to treat the acne. However, if you feel that your skin is getting worse due to the coconut oil, stop using it and try out a different product.