Virgin Coconut Oil – Mother nature’s unique creation for your precious little bundle 😊

If you had to choose a super-nourishing, gentle and safe oil for your precious little one, then virgin coconut oil should be right at the top of your list. It’s because there are so many benefits of virgin coconut oil for babies…that one blog may not even be enough!

But before we start listing the innumerable benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil…it’s important to understand what true virgin or extra virgin coconut oil is…

How Is Virgin Coconut Oil Made?

The true extra virgin or virgin coconut oil (used interchangeably by many) comes from the fresh coconut (white succulent part). The fresh coconut is first de-shelled, crushed and ground into a milky paste or slurry. It is then placed in a high speed centrifuge that rapidly spins the contents. Through this spinning process, the oil is separated from the milk.

The process is kind of similar to extracting butter from milk fat (malai) the churning of the milk fat (with added enzymes) yields butter. In this case the centrifugation or churning yields coconut oil.

This form of centrifuge extracted coconut oil retains maximum natural vitamin E and antioxidants along with high levels of lauric acid vs a simple cold-pressed coconut oil from the dried coconut (Kopra). It’s also a more expensive form of coconut oil as the milk of the coconut yields much less oil than Kopra.

Centrifuge-extracted virgin coconut oil is also known as wet milled or wet extracted coconut oil. It has a mild fresh coconut smell and not a strong roasted coconut or a nutty smell, typically found in roasted/heated coconut oil from Kopra.

Why We Use Centrifuge-Extracted Virgin Coconut Oil at Prakrta

We have an entire blog plus some videos on our social media handles talking about how different coconut oils compare. For a deeper understanding do read our blog – Coconut Oil Olympics – Which Coconut Oil Really Deserves the Gold Medal?

At Prakrta, we use only edible-grade, centrifuge-extracted virgin coconut oil. We choose this form of coconut oil because it retains high levels of naturally occurring vitamins and antioxidants. Being food-grade also means it is suitable in the event of accidental ingestion or absorption by a baby.

We feel if it’s safe to eat, it’s safe to apply!

But more importantly, there is published research that supports our reasoning behind edible baby skincare. Read more about the science in our blog - Why Edible Baby Skincare? The Science Behind Skin Absorption in Babies

What Makes Coconut Milk Extracted Virgin Coconut Oil So Good for Baby’s Skin and Hair?

Skin Nourishment with Natural Vitamin E

Centrifuged virgin coconut oil from coconut milk retains high amounts of natural vitamin E and polyphenols (anti-oxidants), which consequently nourish skin that much more.

Improved Skin Immunity with Caprylic Acid and Lauric Acid

More than 60% of coconut oil is made up of lauric, capric and caprylic acid (medium chain triglycerides). These fatty acids have potent anti-microbial properties and help fight bacteria, virus, fungus and yeast. They help improve skin immunity and for a newborn act as a protective shield on skin. Published studies highlight the anti-microbial action of coconut oil because of lauric acid and caprylic acid. ^{9, 11, 12, 13}

Maintain Skin Barrier Function

Infant skin is much thinner than adult skin and for the first 12 months (while the baby’s skin is going through a maturation process) it is important that, a baby’s skin is cleansed with mild pH balanced cleansers (we will cover this in more detail in coming blogs) and moisturized with only natural, chemical free moisturizers like virgin coconut oil. It has exhibited ability to improve the skin barrier function and prevent water loss (trans epidermal water loss, TEWL) to keep skin hydrated and healthy, especially beneficial for new born babies. ^{3, 14}

Natural Remedy to Control Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis and Xerosis

There are many studies that show that virgin coconut oil helps ease skin itchiness and irritation caused by atopic dermatitis or eczema. There are paediatricians and dermatologists that now recommend virgin coconut oil to control and alleviate mild to moderate form of eczema and acute dry skin in babies.

There is a reason why coconut oil is gaining momentum across the world for having unique qualities of being a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral. I shows anti-inflammatory effects along with being a nourishing moisturizer. I have provided a reference of below for many of these research studies

Our Personal Experience with Virgin Coconut Oil

Seeing is believing.

It’s not just scientific studies but we have personally experienced the healing properties of coconut oil. With regular usage of virgin coconut oil, my 6-month-old niece’s eczema was almost 90% better and more importantly it was not constantly erupting. All this in a matter of 2-3 months…Its why we just love virgin coconut oil and hope more and more families benefit from it.

So Many Different Ways to Use Virgin Coconut Oil…

1. Baby Massage

Virgin coconut oil is light, easily absorbed and loaded with skin benefits. It makes a great pre-bath massage oil from top to toe for the little ones.

There is really just one precaution that should be exercised with coconut oil. In cold weather (temperature below 15-18 degrees centigrade) avoid applying coconut oil on the baby’s head. Coconut oil has a cooling effect and in very cold temperatures can be mixed with some warming sesame oil and applied.

2. Healthy Hair Growth

A popular traditional use of coconut oil used in southern India as well as other southeast Asian countries is massaging baby’s head with coconut oil to improve and promote a healthy hair growth.

3. Ease Cradle Cap Symptoms

While massaging babies, take special care to massage oil on scalp, around the ears and eyebrows to help ease symptoms of cradle cap (a crusty, scaly patches on baby’s scalp).

4. Nappy Rash

A good quality virgin coconut oil used regularly for massage along with pure aloe vera gel for spot treatment of rashes may help avoid the use nappy rash creams. Although, Early intervention is the key with natural remedies. If the rashes worsen then a nappy rash cream with zinc oxide may be the next step or as your paediatrician recommends.

5. Soothe Dry, Itchy / Irritated Skin

It’s good idea to keep a bottle of virgin coconut oil handy and use it to soothe dry itchy skin caused by eczema or dermatitis 3-4 four times a day. You can even use it to ease discomfort caused by mosquito or other minor insect bites as well. Scientific research has indicated that caprylic acid naturally found in coconut oil shows anti-inflammatory activity. ^{12, 13}

6. 100% Natural Moisturizer in Lieu of Lotion

A baby’s outer skin is almost 30% thinner than adult skin and absorbs the oils that are applied. In fact there is a study by Indian paediatricians that demonstrates that the a newborn baby absorbs the oils they are massaged with into their bloodstream. They concluded that a baby’s massage oil is possibly available for their overall nutrition.¹⁰

You can easily replace a lotion that uses fragrance, preservatives and other chemicals with healthy virgin coconut oil.

Just apply the oil right after baby’s bath on slightly damp skin. Both moisture and oil together act as an instant natural lotion (with a mild natural coconutty fragrance!)

How to Choose Virgin Coconut Oil for Your Baby

If you are choosing coconut oil for your baby, it is important to look beyond simply the words “Virgin Coconut Oil” on the label.

Many brands in market use the term Virgin Coconut Oil to denote cold-pressed dried coconut (Kopra) oil. As there are no set nomenclature standards for this in the industry, ensure you read the label to understand if the oil is extracted from milk of the coconut or dried Kopra.

A real easy way to logically deduce the extraction type will be to look for following terms at the front/back of the label

Here are some other things you can look for on the label:

• Edible grade — at Prakrta, this is an important part of our philosophy because we feel that if an ingredient is safe to eat, it should also be suitable for application on a baby’s skin. Plus clinical studies show why edible matters for newborn skin.
• Simple ingredients — look for oils without unnecessary additives like Parfum/ Perfume, fragrance, essential oils, citrus oils or other additives like camphor or strong herbal infusions when choosing an oil for newborn baby.
• Quality and storage — choose a product from a manufacturer that is transparent about the oil, how it is made and how it should be stored.

Ultimately, the best oil is one that is natural, edible, nourishing and not overly processed. Most importantly, it should suit your baby’s skin.

Hope you liked reading about the benefits and uses of virgin coconut oil. Keep watching this space for more informative blogs …!

Frequently Asked Questions About Virgin Coconut Oil for Babies

Can virgin coconut oil be used for baby massage?

Yes. Virgin coconut oil is traditionally used for baby massage and makes a good pre-bath massage oil or even a post-bath moisturiser. It spreads easily over the skin and can be used from top to toe.

It is rich in fatty acids and can help moisturize and support the skin barrier.

Is virgin coconut oil good for baby’s dry skin?

Virgin coconut oil can be used as a natural moisturizer for dry skin. Applying a small amount to slightly damp skin after a bath can help moisturize the skin and reduce moisture loss.

Can virgin coconut oil be used on newborn skin?

Virgin coconut oil can be used as part of a baby's skincare routine, including for massage and moisturization. As with any new skincare product, it is always good to test a small area (patch test) first and observe how your baby's skin responds. Even natural ingredients may cause allergy in some individuals

What is the difference between virgin coconut oil and regular coconut oil?

Virgin coconut oil is generally made from fresh coconut, whereas many conventional coconut oils are made from dried coconut (Kopra). Virgin coconut oil can be extracted from fresh coconut using methods such as wet milling or centrifugation.

Is cold-pressed coconut oil the same as virgin coconut oil?

There is not set industry standard. They are used interchangeably. It is more important to check if the Virgin Coconut Oil is extracted from coconut milk or it is pressed/ milled from dried Kopra. That difference is what matters in what qualities does the coconut oil retain. Cold-pressed on its own refers to pressing from dried coconut (Kopra)

At Prakrta, when we refer to VCO, we specifically mean centrifuge-extracted virgin coconut oil made from coconut milk.

Can virgin coconut oil help with baby eczema?

Virgin coconut oil has been studied as a moisturizer for mild to moderate paediatric atopic dermatitis, and research has shown improvements in measures such as skin hydration, trans-epidermal water loss and clinical severity.³

However, eczema is a medical condition and persistent or severe eczema should be discussed with a paediatrician or dermatologist.

Can coconut oil be used for cradle cap?

Coconut oil is traditionally used to help soften the dry, scaly patches associated with cradle cap. It can be gently massaged onto the scalp and then washed off. Avoid picking or scratching the scales, and consult your paediatrician if the scalp looks inflamed or does not improve.

Prakrta Baby Products Made with Centrifuge-Extracted Virgin Coconut Oil

Listed below are some Prakrta Baby Products made with Centrifuge extracted virgin coconut oil.

• Tender Skin Baby Oil - 100 ml
• Tender Skin Baby Oil – 200 ml
• Tender Skin Baby Butter – 85 grams
• Vita MUM E – Skin Toning Oil to prevent stretch marks (during and post pregnancy) – 100 ml

Other Blogs You May Be Interested in Reading

1. Why edible skincare matters for a newborn baby
2. Nurture your newborn baby’s skin, real and researched insights for parents
3. Are you using the right kind of vitamin E for your skin
4. The coconut oil comparison

References of Scientific Studies or Health Articles / Websites

1. V.M. Verallo-Rowell, K.M. Dillague, B.S. Syah-Tjundawan, Novel antibacterial and emollient effects of coconut and virgin olive oils in adult atopic dermatitis, Dermatitis, 19 (6) (2008), pp. 308-315. PubMed
2. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis, Dermatitis, 15 (3) (2004), pp. 109-116. PubMed
3. M. Evangelista, F. Casintahan, L. Villafuerte, The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD, transepidermal water loss and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, International Journal of Dermatology, 53 (1) (2014), pp. 100-108. PubMed
4. Bactericidal Effect of Lauric Acid-Loaded PCL-PEG-PCL Nano-Sized Micelles on Skin Commensal Propionibacterium acnes. Thi-Quynh-Mai Tran, Ming-Fa Hsieh, Keng-Lun Chang, Quoc-Hue Pho, Van-Cuong Nguyen, Ching-Yi Cheng and Chun-Ming Huang. MDPI
5. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. PubMed
6. Effect of topical application of virgin coconut oil on skin components and antioxidant status during dermal wound healing in young rats, Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 23 (6) (2010), pp. 290-297.
7. Healthline: Top 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
8. Healthline: Caprylic Acid and Coconut Oil
9. Ghori NU, Mullally CA, Nicol MP, Currie A, Hibbert J, Payne MS, Patole S, Strunk T. Skin-Microbiome Assembly in Preterm Infants during the First Three Weeks of Life and Impact of Topical Coconut Oil Application. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 22;24(23):16626. doi: 10.3390/ijms242316626. PMID: 38068949; PMCID: PMC10706365. PMC
10. Solanki K, Matnani M, Kale M, Joshi K, Bavdekar A, Bhave S, Pandit A. Transcutaneous absorption of topically massaged oil in neonates. Indian Pediatr. 2005 Oct;42(10):998-1005. PMID: 16269830. PubMed
11. Nitbani FO, Tjitda PJP, Nitti F, Jumina J, Detha AIR. Antimicrobial Properties of Lauric Acid and Monolaurin in Virgin Coconut Oil: A Review. ChemBioEng Rev. 2022;9:442-461. doi: 10.1002/cben.202100050. Wiley
12. Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, Dilip N, Raghuraman M, Pavan KB, Rafiq M, Paramesh R. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. J Tradit Complement Med. 2019;9(1):5-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012. PMID: 30671361; PMCID: PMC6335493. PMC
13. Intahphuak S, Khonsung P, Panthong A. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharm Biol. 2010 Feb;48(2):151-7. doi: 10.3109/13880200903062614. PMID: 20645831. PubMed
14. Nangia S, Paul VK, Deorari AK, Sreenivas V, Agarwal R, Chawla D. Topical Oil Application and Trans-Epidermal Water Loss in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants—A Randomized Trial. J Trop Pediatr. 2015 Dec;61(6):414-20. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmv049. PMID: 26338490. PubMed