Does coconut oil darken the skin? A myth or reality

We are all surrounded by various goodness of nature. Whether healthcare or skincare, it is always suggested to select natural remedies as much as possible. One such natural ingredient is coconut. Coconut oil has gained popularity over several years, and it has many diverse sets of benefits. Coconut oil is an all-natural moisturizer, which can be used as a solution to dandruff, dry scalp. It can hydrate skin and hair, reduce frizz, and is widely used to remove make-up. As coconut oil is mentioned for skin, one doubt might naturally arrive in your mind: does coconut oil darken the skin? If so? Then this blog is just right for you; it has all the required information related to coconut oil for skin, its benefits, side effects, etc. 

Benefits of Coconut Oil for skin

Benefits of Coconut oil for Skin
Benefits of coconut oil infographics

Coconut oil is made out of the flesh of coconuts. Various brands manufacture coconut oil. You can find both virgin and refined coconut oil easily in the market.

Virgin coconut oil is less processed in comparison to refined coconut oil. The oil has been popular for ages for its magical qualities. Coconut oil can do wonders for the skin, especially if applied to the face at night. Some of the basic benefits of coconut oil have been listed below:

01. Coconut oil provides moisture and protection to the skin.

Coconut oil is enriched with fatty acids, known for its hydration properties. These properties help the skin stay moisturized and minimize dryness. Besides, it also forms a protective layer on the skin, which works as a shield to the skin from environmental toxins, pollution, and other harmful particles daily.

02. Applying coconut oil to the skin can make it soft and help in reducing wrinkles.

There is a popular saying, “Old is Gold.” It is indeed true. Coconut oil has been one of the oldest remedies used by all our grandmothers and grandfathers to get smooth and soft skin. Regular use of coconut oil can also gradually improve the skin’s texture. Applying coconut oil and keeping it overnight is a treatment for skin aging. It helps in reducing the early signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

03. Coconut oil helps maintain even skin tone and fades blemishes and dark spots.

Coconut oil is used in various forms in maintaining good skin. You can make and use a homemade scrub by mixing sugar, lemon, and coffee and giving your skin a chemical-free experience. This homemade scrub can help you reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes on your skin. Coconut oil helps lighten the uneven skin tone, hydrates the skin, and leaves it with a healthy glow.

04. Coconut oil helps in repairing irritated and damaged skin.

Coconut oil is enriched with anti-inflammatory properties, known for repairing irritated and injured skin. It also speeds up the healing process, leaving you with a brighter skin tone. The vitamin E and antioxidants present in coconut oil helps skin cells in maturing and growing healthily. 

05. Applying coconut oil helps in fighting infection.

Coconut oil is enriched with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can penetrate deep into the skin layers. It eliminates the underlying skin infection that causes skin damage or discoloration, such as dry skin, itching, sunburn, acne, psoriasis, eczema, and bug bites on the skin. Besides, coconut oil can also be applied to toenails, curing fungal infections. 

Coconut oil darkens the skin: A myth or reality.

Now, after knowing the benefits of coconut oil, you might wonder if using coconut oil can darken the skin. 

So, to answer that, there is no definite explanation or answer to this question because no scientific evidence is available to prove that coconut oil does or doesn’t darken the skin. It is somehow based on experience; some might find it completely fine, whereas it might darken the skin to some. However, it has been observed that South Americans and Southeast Asians tend to experience skin color changes due to the application of oils. Although, the statement that coconut oil causes the darkening of skin color has no strong grounds for its existence.

Many people in the world use natural DIY remedies, and coconut oil is a hero ingredient to them. Coconut oil helps hydrate the lips and makes them appear healthy and smooth. Additionally, coconut oil promotes hair growth and can work wonders in making your hair look healthy, shiny, and strong. However, a few people have complained of receiving darkening effects of coconut oil. It is mostly seen in people with medium skin tones or olive-to-brown skin tones. So, it is suggested to avoid applying coconut oil alone and going out directly in the sun, as it might darken the skin. The myth that coconut oil darkens lips and skin has no definite evidence; it varies from person to person. To some people, it can be a myth, whereas it can be a reality to some. To find that out, you have to use it yourself; just know the side effects of coconut oil before applying. However, as it is a natural ingredient, it won’t be harsh or harmful to your skin, just like other chemical-infused products, yet it is advised to do a patch test before.

Side effects of using Coconut oil on the face

Side effects of using Coconut oil on the face
Side effects of using Coconut oil on the face infographics

Applying coconut oil can bring various benefits to the skin, but depending on your skin type, it might come up with some side effects as well. It might not be the best product for you if you have acne-prone or oily skin. Following are some side effects of using Coconut oil on acne-prone or oily skin:

01. Coconut oil might encourage acne breakouts in oily skin.

Some studies claim coconut oil might clog pores to the oily or combination skin type. Dermatologists mostly advise people who have acne-prone skin to avoid using coconut oil because of its clogged poring property.

02. Coconut oil may increase blackheads and whiteheads in the skin.

Coconut oil is a natural cleanser used by many for ages. Many believe that coconut oil helps in clearing up acne and blemishes, leaving softer and brighter skin. At the same time, some people have also mentioned that leaving coconut oil on skin overnight may increase blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples to the people who own oily skin.

Other than that, coconut oil has no side effects. Instead, it is a magical and pocket-friendly treatment for dry and flaky skin and scalp. It might not just be the best for people who own oily skin, as it can clog pores.

Does Coconut Oil Act Like Sunscreen?

Coconut oil has recently gained popularity as a natural sunscreen. Some sources claim that applying coconut oil on your skin can protect you from the sun similarly to commercial sunscreens. But what does the research actually say?

To understand if coconut oil acts as a sunscreen, we first need to look at what sun protection factor (SPF) measures. SPF refers to a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB rays from reaching the skin. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. The higher the SPF, the greater percentage of UVB rays the sunscreen blocks. For example:

SPF Number% of UVB rays blocked
SPF 1593%
SPF 3097%
SPF 5098%

Most health organizations recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks about 97% of UVB rays.

So does coconut oil have an adequate SPF to serve as sun protection? Research shows that coconut oil only blocks about 20% of UV rays from penetrating the skin. Here is how its SPF compares to traditional sunscreens and other oils:

SubstanceSPF Number% of UVB rays blocked
No sunscreen0%
Coconut oilSPF ~2-820%
Olive oilSPF 717.5%
Avocado oilSPF 1022.5%
30+ sunscreenSPF 30+97%

As you can see, coconut oil does not come anywhere close to an effective sunscreen. While it can temporarily prevent sunburns, coconut oil allows significant UV damage over time. Relying solely on coconut oil for sun protection can increase your cancer risk.

Also, there is no definite evidence that can support the fact that coconut oil darkens skin tone. However, it is recommended to avoid using it during the day or get exposed to sunlight. Doing so can ensure your safety from any darkening effects on the skin. Thus, it is best to apply coconut oil on the face or body at night to prevent any risk of damage caused by the sun.

Also read,

  1. How to use vitamin C tablets for skin whitening
  2. Triphala Benefits for Skin
  3. How to reduce melanin in the body permanently?
  4. Treatment for dark Lips
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