This botanical profile is part of the Star Naturals Herbal Library.
Coconut Oil
Cocos nucifera
Historical / Folk Use
Coconut oil has been used traditionally in tropical regions for both culinary purposes and topical skin and hair care. Traditionally pressed from the meat of the coconut, it was applied to moisturize the skin, condition the hair, and serve as a stable cooking oil.
Fractionated coconut oil, a later refined liquid form, is valued for its lightweight, neutral character. It has been widely used as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils and facilitate smooth topical application.
Energetics
Traditionally described as:
• Neutral and stabilizing
• Light and balancing
• Smooth and adaptable
• Protective and gentle
• Moisture-supportive
• Non-greasy and steady
How Star Naturals
uses this botanical
Fractionated coconut oil serves as a lightweight, scent-free carrier in our aromatic and topical formulations. It allows essential oils to disperse evenly while maintaining a smooth, fast-absorbing, non-greasy feel on the skin.
Found in these Star Naturals formulations:
Research & Resources
The research summaries below highlight findings from scientific studies on compounds found in this botanical.
They are provided for educational purposes and do not represent claims about the effects of Star Naturals products.
Study 1:
In a controlled human study, topical coconut-derived oil use was associated with increased skin hydration and improved barrier measurements.
Study 2:
In people with dry skin, topical coconut oil use was associated with increased hydration and reduced water loss compared with baseline.
Study 3:
Topical products containing medium-chain triglyceride oils were associated with improved skin hydration and smoothness in human use studies.