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Coconut oil & Comodegonic ratings
Hi
Just want to know your thoughts on the above title. Is it possible that coconut oil used in hair products can cause breakout/acne?Whilst researching this, I came across the comedegonic rating and apparently coconut oil has a high rating. What are your thoughts on this?
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18 Replies
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Yes, Coconut Oil has one of the highest Comedogenicity Ratings. It will probably not have much of an impact on acneic skin (washoff?) hair products as very few people have acne on the scalp, but it does happen to a small number of people. If it is a washoff product like a shampoo or a conditioner, I would not worry about it.
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Agreed. Wash off products and coconut oil shouldn’t be a problem.
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I am referring to styling products that have a higher chance of transferring to the face. My research has found some people claim it is the coconut oil however, if is very hard to distinguish what’s causing the breakout when the formula includes several other ingredients.
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Well, Coconut Oil is highly comedogenic and can plug pores and if sufficient P Acnes are beneath the plug it could form a pimple.
I have a hard time imagining that some styling product in someone’s hair has sufficient contact with the skin on their face to deposit enough residual Coconut Oil to plug a pore. Now, if they are wearing bangs and the hair is constantly brushing against their forehead, perhaps so.But, yes, if this is a common complaint, then Coconut Oil is a likely culprit. Are any of the other ingredients highly comedogenic? -
Apparently in India and related areas, coconut oil is frequently used at or near 100% as a hair dressing. In this case, there would easily be enough oil to cause acne/comedones.
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I see! Well, if your product is 90%+ Coconut Oil, then absolutely Yes, it’s probably the Coconut Oil. Why on Earth would anyone want to put nearly pure Coconut Oil in their hair? Is this a men’s product, like a pomade?
Rahma, could you be a bit more specific on the product, it’s composition and end use? -
Bobzchemist is correct, down south in India there is no day without oil in hair (not much but maybe around 99% population), and what more, its kinda unisex. And you don’t see any breakouts and all that. I am guessing its more dependent on skin type and sensitivity.
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@Mark, it is possible for the product to transfer the face especially when sleeping, on the pillow etc
I have been looking at products that have coconut oil among its first 3 ingredients. I don’t think it’s the other ingredients but also not certain it’s the coconut oil that’s why I was wondering if anyone has experienced such feedback or come across this.
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I see, Rahma.
I specialize in treating acne and developing acne topicals, so I have lots of experience with ingredients that can contribute to acne breakouts. But, I have also not come across people who put large amounts of Coconut Oil in their hair, much less leave it in their hair when they are sleeping. If the product is primarily Coconut Oil and they are going to sleep with large amount of oil in their hair, then, Yes, Absolutely, it’s the Coconut Oil that is contributing to the breakouts if they have acne-prone skin. There are other factors in play, but putting Coconut Oil on your skin if you are acne-prone is not a good idea. -
I agree! Because it is a styling product.
I suppose not many people have this reaction with coconut oil would you say? It would be on the minority side?
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Actually, Coconut Oil is one of the worst actors regarding comedogenicity. Most anyone who has acne-prone skin will breakout when they put Coconut Oil on their skin.If you are looking for a substitute for Coconut Oil, try Grape Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Oil (Refined) or Argan Oil … these are non-comedogenic and provide good benefits to the skin and would perform similarly to Coconut Oil.
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@Mark, thanks.
This makes sense! It is a hair styling product and NOT skin that’s using the coconut oil. What else work similarly for hair and at similar cost?
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Is there research articles that you can refer me to regarding coconut oil and comedogenecity?
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I don’t have any specific research to guide you to regarding Coconut Oil and Comedogenicity, but it is widely known that Coconut Oil is highly comedogenic. If they are sleeping with coconut oil in their hair, then it is getting onto their face (skin) from the pillows, etc. as you pointed out earlier.I do not have any expertise in hair styling products, but possible non-comedogenic substitutes worth considering are:Grape Seed OilHemp Seed Oil (Refined)Argan OilOf these, Grape Seed Oil will be the least expensive. Hemp Seed Oil and Argan Oil are going to be considerably more expensive.
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Thank you!
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If you are using Coconut oil for its thicker texture and consistency in your hair styling products, them you might find grape seed, hemp, and argan poor substitutes.Babassu is your best bet. It behaves very similarly to coconut oil and has very similar texture/consistency. But it is non-comedogenic. Also, I find it less greasy than coconut oil.
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Coconut Oil, because it is used so widely for food, is very cheap. Almost anything else will be more expensive and/or unsuitable in terms of aesthetics (palm kernel oil, for example) or naturalness (mineral oil).
I’m going to suggest that a hair product that does not cause the skin to break out on acne-prone skin is worth a premium price (shocking thought, I know) Try the Babassu, as @Bri suggests - you might even be able to use a small percentage of cheaper oil with it to reduce cost without hurting your consistency too much. -
Thank you everyone, very helpful information.
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