Coconut Oil

INCI Name

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil

Botanical Name

Cocos nucifera

Coconut oil is a cold-pressed or expeller-pressed oil derived from the kernel of the coconut (Cocos nucifera). Rich in medium-chain fatty acids such as lauric acid, it provides a protective, occlusive layer and softens skin feel. Widely used in balms, butters, creams, and hair care, it is best suited to dry and normal skin types.

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Primary Function
Carrier Oil
Add'l Function
Emollient
Scent Profile
Sweet
Mild
Is It Natural?
Natural (Cold-Pressed)
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

Dry
Normal
Mature
Baby/Child Safe
Considered Safe for Babies
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Emollient, skin-conditioning agent, occlusive, cleanser base, hair conditioning

Product Type(s):

Oil
Balm
Butter
Lotion
Cream
Cleanser
Hydrating Product
General Use

Typical Usage Range:

2–100% (commonly 5–30% in blends; up to 100% as a pure oil)

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Supportive Qualities

Traditionally used for hydration, scalp and hair applications, adds protective barrier, smooth feel

Primary Components:

Lauric acid, myristic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid

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Important to Know

Highly comedogenic (rating 4); may clog pores in acne-prone or oily skin; patch test recommended

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Sourcing Tips

Preferred Extraction Method:

Cold-pressed or expeller-pressed (virgin)

Prefer virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined; consider organic and fair-trade; store in cool conditions

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.