What is Coconut Oil?

Have you ever looked at a coconut then looked at a jar of coconut oil and wondered: ‘how in the wonderful world of science did we get from one to the other?’ What happens between the coconut being picked and its oil showing up on shop shelves, shiny and oily and ready to be thrown into skincare products and curries at a moment’s notice? Is it processed? Is it natural? Is it really as good for you as companies claim it to be? 

Well, we’ve got good news for you. If you’re the sort of curious connoisseur who collects information about all the everyday things in your life, Bee Clean Soaps are here and ready to explain it all. Or, if you’ve simply looked at the ingredients on your skincare products and want more information about the stuff you put on your skin each morning, this little guide is just the thing for you. 

Where does coconut oil come from?

Coconut oil is derived from the fleshy part of a coconut kernel, or shell. The extraction process for coconut oil is relatively straightforward. 

Traditionally, coconut oil is extracted through two primary methods: 

• Dry processing: Where the coconut meat is dried and pressed to extract the oil.

• Wet processing: Involves pressing the coconut flesh to obtain coconut milk. The milk is then subjected to fermentation or boiling to separate the oil from the water and solids.

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil, as the extraction methods suggest, consists of oil that has been extracted directly from a coconut. Although it is extracted in much the same way as an essential oil, it is actually something called a ‘carrier oil’. 

Carrier oils, unlike essential oils, are extracted from nuts, seeds, and kernels of plants. In skincare, they are often used to dilute essential oils for topical use because pure essential oils can be too harsh on the skin. 

Of course, coconut oil can likewise be used in cooking, cleaning, and as a fine skincare ingredient in itself.

Is coconut oil good for your skin?

Coconut oil is fascinatingly good for your skin when applied topically. It is very well loved for its ability to revitalise and strengthen hair - thank you very much to all the chemical wizards who discovered such a wonder - but in skincare, its powers of nourishment are equally abundant.

90% of the chemical compounds in coconut oil are fatty acids, and this is precisely what makes it such a phenomenally good ingredient in skincare products; each fatty acid has its own healing, soothing, or cleansing property that you will definitely want in your soap. 

For your benefit, we’ve dissected these below:

The Saturated Fats

1. Lauric acid

Lauric acid is the primary active ingredient in coconut oil and makes up around 49% of its total structure. This saturated acid is antimicrobial, cleansing, and known to enhance the texture of soap and of skin. 

Alongside this, a 2013 study on The Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil Loaded Solid Lipid Particles (VCO-SLPs) on Skin Hydration and Skin Elasticity found that adding virgin coconut oil to existing skincare increases skin elasticity and hydration, helping to reduce the impact of conditions that cause dry skin. Of course, this is not a treatment and we would recommend speaking with your local healthcare advisor before attempting home remedies. 

2. Myristic acid

Myristic acid is primarily effective in soap for its cleansing properties, but the foaming quality of this one is also quite a bonus. It helps create that rich, foamy lather that makes soap feel extra special. It also works as a deep cleanser, making it perfect for daily use without stripping the skin of its natural oils. 

3. Caprylic acid

A real multitasker, caprylic acid is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiinflammatory; truly the trifecta of skincare. In fact, this acid is found in the milk of humans, so you can see how good it can be for the human body. 

It is worth noting that this acid is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores, however, coconut oil is not recommended for acne prone skin as it is comedogenic as a whole and can trigger breakouts. 

4. Palmitic acid

Palmitic acid acts as a moisturiser and skin softener, giving coconut oil its naturally silky, skin loving touch.

5. Capric acid

An effective emollient and moisturiser, capric acid helps lock moisture into the skin, keeping it nourished and protected from environmental stressors. Although it is unlikely to have such a strong effect when used in soap due to how quickly it is washed off the skin, it continues to 

6. Oleic acid

Oleic acid naturally occurs in a number of oils derived from nuts and kernels, including tea tree oil. Like palmitic acid, it’s a natural skin texture enhancer, and is used as a cleansing agent in skin care products. 

It is easily absorbed, moisturising, and absorbs quickly into the skin. 

7. Linoleic acid

Though it’s only present in small amounts, linoleic acid plays a key role in building a strong skin barrier. That means it helps protect your skin from pollutants, bacteria, and moisture loss. It is also known as omega-6 or omega-3, and is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. 

8. Stearic acid

And finally, we have stearic acid, a popular emulsifier and hair care ingredient. Stearic acid is precisely the reason why coconut oil blends so beautifully with other ingredients, and creates a buttery, smooth, silky texture. 

The other 10%

But, the saturated fats only make up around 90% of coconut oil’s composition. So what about the other 10%? 

Well, in addition to saturated fats, coconut oil contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron. While these micronutrients are present in relatively small quantities, they contribute to the overall nutritional profile of coconut oil. 

All of that artfully hidden in a humble nut. Honestly nature, we applaud you.

The Benefits of Coconut Oil 

In case you didn’t really fancy sifting through all the ingredients to find their benefits, here are the reasons why coconut oil is such a wonderful skincare ingredient: 

1. Natural and gentle: Coconut oil is a natural ingredient without any harsh chemicals or additives, making it gentle on all skin types. 

2. Deeply moisturising: Its fatty acid makeup makes it deeply moisturising, which is great for dry, ageing skin, or skin that is losing its elasticity. 

3. Antibacterial and cleansing: The antimicrobial properties help dispel bacteria from your skin and flush them straight down the drain. 

4. Packed with skin nourishing fatty acids: As we’ve stated above, the fatty acid compounds make it incredibly nourishing for your skin, improving the texture of skin and leaving it feeling soft and smooth. 

5. Versatile, sustainable, and safe for most skin types: And, of course, we couldn’t forget to mention that coconut oil is stunningly sustainable, very versatile, and remarkably safe for most skin types.

Why We Use Coconut Oil

At Bee Clean Soaps, we don’t just use coconut oil because it’s trendy or smells amazing (although, truthfully, you can’t really smell the coconut once it’s blended in, which is why it’s perfect for our unscented soaps). 

We use it because it works. Because it really is gorgeous for your skin. 

Each bar of our handcrafted soap is formulated to deliver real nourishment, not just bubbles and fragrance. Coconut oil helps us achieve that soft, clean, moisturising feeling that customers delight in. It’s what makes our soap feel so special, and so luxurious. 

And since we’re a brand that believes in ingredient integrity, we choose coconut oil that’s sustainably sourced and minimally processed, keeping all that natural goodness intact.