An almost fully saturated oil
LaboratoryIn the coconut oil sample, saturated fatty acids reach 92.1%, with 47.7% lauric acid and 19.9% myristic acid. Short and medium chain fatty acids (caprylic, capric) appear only in this oil, up to 7.6%4.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is the fixed oil extracted from the kernels of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)11. Very rich in saturated fatty acids, including nearly 48% lauric acid4, it has been compared with mineral oil on dry skin1 and studied for limiting hair protein loss2. The evidence remains mostly industry-funded or limited.
Coconut oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database11, safety according to the CIR expert panel5. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- COCOS NUCIFERA OIL
- Other names
- Coconut oilCoconut oil; Cocos nucifera L.
- CAS number
- 8001-31-8
- EC number
- 232-282-8
- Botanical origin
- Coconut palm (Arecaceae)Fixed oil obtained by pressing the kernels of Cocos nucifera L. seeds11
- Main fatty acids
- Lauric, myristicSaturated fatty acids 92.1%, of which lauric 47.7% and myristic 19.9% in the sample analyzed4
- CosIng functions
- Skin and hair conditioningAlso listed as a perfuming agent11
- EU status
- No restrictionNot listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) 1223/200911
- Allergen to declare
- No
- Safety
- Judged safe in cosmetics2023 CIR panel for 10 coconut-derived ingredients (flower, fruit, endosperm)5
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Composition and materialChemistry
Skin and bodySkincare, bodycare
As hydrating as mineral oil on dry skin
Clinical trialBoth oils significantly improved skin hydration and increased surface lipids, with comparable effects. No difference in water loss or pH. Coconut oil showed a trend, not statistically significant, toward a bigger improvement in dryness symptoms1.
An effect that depends on the oil's composition
ReviewOn healthy skin, oils rich in oleic acid do not seem to have a negative effect; frequency and duration of use matter. Coconut oil is among the materials reviewed6.
HairHaircare
Less hair protein loss than with mineral and sunflower oils
LaboratoryCoconut oil is the only one of the three to clearly reduce protein loss, on healthy and damaged hair alike. The authors attribute this to its lauric acid, which penetrates the fiber2.
Hair porosity and color protection
LaboratoryCoconut-based oils prevent the increase in cortex porosity caused by surfactants, reverse the drop in breaking stress and protect color3.
Brittle hair: clinical evidence, growth not shown
ReviewThe review reports a clinical effect on brittle hair. Evidence remains limited for hair growth9.
Safety and expert viewsToxicology
Ten coconut-derived ingredients judged safe
Expert assessmentTen ingredients from the flower, fruit and endosperm are judged safe in current uses. The data are judged insufficient for the shell powder5.
Cautious reviews on so-called natural oils
ReviewThe authors judge that more studies are needed before making definitive recommendations on coconut oil8. The ratio of linoleic to oleic acid is presented as decisive for how useful an oil is for the skin barrier7.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Several of the studies cited were run or funded by industry; this is indicated in the sources.
Which products use coconut oil?
Our white label catalog includes 65 formulas with coconut oil: the key active in 5 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
20Face
Base of cleansing balms and cleansers, also found in face care.
23Body
Fat phase of body oils, lotions, butters and scrubs.
19Hair
Care oil in conditioners, masks, hair oils and scalp care.
3Raw materials and more
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Vitamin E 38Sweet almond oil 35Argan oil 32Shea butter 30Panthenol 23Coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil or castor oil?
Four vegetable fats often compared when choosing the base of a care product. Their chemistry differs, so their behavior in a formula does too.
| Coconut oil | Shea butter | Jojoba oil | Castor oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical nature | Oil: 92.1% saturated fatty acids, of which 47.7% lauric acid4 | Butter: stearic (28 to 56%) and oleic (34 to 61%) acids10 | Liquid wax: about 98% wax esters13 | Oil: about 90% ricinoleic acid12 |
| EU regulation | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 65 formulas | 65 formulas | 25 formulas | 25 formulas |
Frequently asked questions about coconut oil
What is coconut oil?
What are the benefits of coconut oil in cosmetics?
Is coconut oil good for hair?
Is coconut oil comedogenic?
We did not find an official or peer-reviewed source that sets a comedogenicity rating for coconut oil, so this page gives no figure. Its high content of saturated fatty acids4 and the skin type (oily or not) are points to validate with tests on the finished formula.
What is the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter?
The INCI COCOS NUCIFERA OIL refers to the fixed oil obtained from the kernels11. Products called "coconut butter" are separate formulations with their own INCI declaration: the supplier data sheet is the reference.
Are there risks with coconut oil?
The CIR panel judges coconut-derived ingredients safe in current cosmetic uses5 and the oil is not restricted in the EU11. One case of tangled hair has been reported after combined use of coconut and castor oils14. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.
Can you manufacture a coconut oil product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 65 coconut oil formulas (cleansing balms, conditioners, hair oils and masks, body care) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 2, 2026.
- Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis Dermatitis. 2004;15(3):109-116. doi:10.2310/6620.2004.04006
- Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage J Cosmet Sci. 2003;54(2):175-192. PMID 12715094Marico Industries
- Kaushik V, Kumar A, Gosvami NN, et al. Benefit of coconut-based hair oil via hair porosity quantification Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(3):289-298. doi:10.1111/ics.12774Marico
- Orsavova J, Misurcova L, Ambrozova JV, et al. Fatty acids composition of vegetable oils and its contribution to dietary energy intake and dependence of cardiovascular mortality on dietary intake of fatty acids Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(6):12871-12890. doi:10.3390/ijms160612871
- Akinsulie A, Burnett C, Bergfeld WF, et al. Safety assessment of Cocos nucifera (coconut)-derived ingredients as used in cosmetics Int J Toxicol. 2023;42(1_suppl):23S-35S. doi:10.1177/10915818231157751
- Poljšak N, Kočevar Glavač N. Vegetable butters and oils as therapeutically and cosmetically active ingredients for dermal use: a review of clinical studies Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:868461. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.868461
- Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural oils for skin-barrier repair: ancient compounds now backed by modern science Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(1):103-117. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1
- Karagounis TK, Gittler JK, Rotemberg V, Morel KD. Use of "natural" oils for moisturization: review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil Pediatr Dermatol. 2019;36(1):9-15. doi:10.1111/pde.13621
- Phong C, Lee V, Yale K, et al. Coconut, castor, and argan oil for hair in skin of color patients: a systematic review J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):751-757. doi:10.36849/JDD.6972
- Akihisa T, Kojima N, Katoh N, et al. Triterpene alcohol and fatty acid composition of shea nuts from seven African countries J Oleo Sci. 2010;59(7):351-360. doi:10.5650/jos.59.351
- European Commission. CosIng, entry COCOS NUCIFERA OIL (CAS 8001-31-8, CE 232-282-8). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- Girdler K, Cabatu A, Olds H, Potts GA. Use of castor oil in dermatology: a narrative review Cureus. 2026;18(2):e103289. doi:10.7759/cureus.103289
- Gad HA, Roberts A, Hamzi SH, et al. Jojoba oil: an updated comprehensive review on chemistry, pharmaceutical uses, and toxicity Polymers (Basel). 2021;13(11):1711. doi:10.3390/polym13111711
- Maduri VR, Vedachalam A, Kiruthika S. "Castor oil" - the culprit of acute hair felting Int J Trichology. 2017;9(3):116-118. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_22_17
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