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As an ingredient in personal care products

Many personal care products use coconut oil as an ingredient to add smoothness to the texture of the product and to make it easier to spread, Goldstein says.

It may be preferable to use coconut oil extracts over plain oil, especially if breakouts are a concern or you have naturally oily skin.

“Try to use a product that uses an extract over plain oil,” Goldstein said.

Speaking about a product she helped develop, Goldstein said, “Like other products that use coconut oil extract, The Daily by GETMr. is a suitable option that moisturizes skin without leading to breakouts.”

In general, you can follow these steps to use coconut oil as a moisturizer:

1. After bathing, pat your skin down with a towel until it’s moist, not wet.
2. Add coconut oil to your palms and rub together to warm.
3. Spread a thin layer of oil over your skin in a circulation motion.
4. Avoid your face, chest, back, and any other areas prone to acne.
5. Also avoid areas with a lot of hair.
6. Add more oil as needed.

Alternatively, you can massage your body with oil and then wash off the excess.

Since the need for moisturizing varies from person to person, Goldstein says using coconut oil is a unique experience to everyone.

“Those with dry skin, eczema, etc. will need more maintenance and applications than people with normal skin,” she explained. “However, since there is less humidity during the wintertime, this tends to be the time of year when most people (even with normal skin) look to moisturize their skin.”

While coconut oil can provide your hands, knees, and arms with an instant blast of moisture, Goldstein warns against using it on certain parts of your body. These include your face, chest, or back areas, which are prone to developing breakouts.

You’ll also want to avoid using too much coconut oil on areas that contain a lot of hair, since the ingredient has a thick consistency, she adds.

Best Overall

Necessaire The Body Lotion

• Balanced texture
• Non-greasy
• Suitable for all skin types
• Available in multiple sizes
• Fragrance-free
• Easy to dispense

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, marula oil, fatty acids | Fragrance: None | Size: 2.4, 6.8, 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our editors have been loyal fans of this body lotion for years, so it’s no surprise that it scored highest during testing. Formulated with a blend of five peptides (which are great for firming), fatty acids, shea butter, and a combination of nourishing oils like marula oil and meadowfoam oil, it works to quench dry skin, leaving it soft and moisturized. It also contains a dose of niacinamide to do a number on dark spots while contributing to a healthy skin barrier.

This powerful combination of moisturizing ingredients left our skin feeling comfortable and hydrated—sans a greasy residue. The texture feels like a nice hybrid between a liquidy lotion and a rich cream, making it suitable for daily use year-round. It absorbed into our skin quickly, allowing us to easily slip into our clothes just a minute after application. We also love that it’s fragrance-free—so it won’t compete with perfume or irritate reactive skin. We’re giving bonus points to the brand for offering it in multiple sizes and making the packaging simple, elevated, and functional.

In This Article

In This Article

Raise your hand if you moisturize your face daily but you’re not as diligent about moisturizing your body (guilty!). We get it—it can feel like an extra, unnecessary step. But according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Teresa Song, it’s best to apply body lotion every day. “Moisturized skin maintains a healthy skin barrier, preventing irritation and premature aging,” she says. And, if you have eczema-prone skin, Song actually recommends moisturizing multiple times a day.

We tested more than 80 moisturizers in our daily lives over four weeks to find the best options for a variety of skin types, skin concerns, and preferences. We evaluated each one based on its texture, ingredients, consistency, absorption, effectiveness, and overall results. We also consulted with Dr. Teresa Song and double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Maya Thosani to learn more about what you should look for in a primo body lotion for your specific needs. These are our top picks that performed well above the rest.

Contains fatty acids

Much like fatty acids can be beneficial to human health, coconut oil is chock-full of fatty acids that are important in maintaining healthy skin, Goldstein explains.

These include a range of saturated fats and short- and medium-chain fatty acids, including lauric acid.

According to a 2019 study, these medium-chain fatty acids help contribute to skin elasticity and suppleness.

Lauric acid is particularly known for positive effects on skin health. A 2018 study revealed that the monolaurin derived from lauric acid exhibits both antiviral and antifungal activity.

“Coconut oil can help with cracks and water loss in the top layer of the skin by providing key essential fatty lipids,” Goldstein said. “These lipids improve the barrier function of the skin, allowing it to feel supple and hydrated as a result.”

Because of these antibacterial properties, a 2009 study revealed that lauric acid can also be potentially useful in alleviating symptoms associated with acne vulgaris.

“Coconut oil has medium-chain fatty acids such as linoleic acid,” she added. “This helps trap water in the skin.”