Does Coconut Oil Cure Acne? The Indian Ghee/Oil Myth

Natural skincare has a special place in Indian households. The coconut oil champi on the scalp, ghee applied onto dry and chapped lips and at-home face packs DIYs are passed down by our granny. The ingredients to prepare such remedies are generally familiar, edible as well as hold traditional values. That’s the reason they are often considered safe for application on the skin.

 Coconut Oil can actually be used as a body moisturizer whereas ghee may also act as a moisturiser for the dry skin. Many chemical constituents of both of them are even used in the production of many commercial skincare as well as haircare products including:

• Gels
• Creams
• Shampoos
• Moisturizers
• Body Lotions 

But an ingredient that usually works well for dry skin will not necessarily work the same for other different skin types such as

• Oily skin
• Combination skin
• Sensitive skin 
  

In this blog, we’ll discuss the misconceptions around the Indian oils for their use on skin to cure acne such as 

• Coconut Oil
• Clarified Butter / Desi ghee
  

The Popularity Of Coconut Oil In Skincare

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and forms a protective layer over the skin. This reduces the trans epidermal water loss and makes dry skin feel hydrated and soft. It offers 

• Moisturizing Properties
• Antimicrobial Activity with lauric acid
• Anti-Inflammatory Effects 
• Wound Healing and Eczema Support

The Impact On Acne-Prone Skin

Coconut oil is not suitable for acne-prone skin at all even though it is rich in multiple nutrients. Layering the skin with this oil may form a thicker as well as occlusive barrier when it is applied to the skin. This can trap the dead skin cell debris and natural sebum inside the pores. Such pollutants can create a perfect oxygen-free (anoxic area) for the acne causing microbes to proliferate and multiply exponentially. This literally triggers the irritation on the skin and causes inflamed pimples.

Proponents of the oil have a chemical composition that contains the beneficial properties for skin susceptible to acne. The lauric acid in coconut oil is totally a nourishing fatty acid that possesses natural antimicrobial activity but the harsh reality is it doesn’t have sufficient evidence to combat acne in a proper and effective manner. Lauric acid content in it therefore does not cancel out its potential to congest acne-prone skin. Additionally, there is no strong clinical evidence that states that the use of kitchen grade coconut oil on the face can cure acne.

The coconut oil has a high comedogenicity profile. It basically clogs the pores of the skin that means it actually worsens the acne as it is having a high comedogenic which is considered the highest of all. 

What is Comedogenicity?

It generally describes the potential of an ingredient or a product to promote the formation of congested pores. 

This ranking basically involves profiling the ingredients in order of their tendency to clog the pores of the skin.  It is generally ranked from 0 to 5 where zero actually indicates the lowest comedogenicity and 5 indicates the highest comedogenicity. 

How Coconut Oil May Worsen Acne

The  Oil Acne Truth
Coconut oil is basically thick and occlusive. Layering the skin Coconut oil may feel excessively greasy and contribute to congestion of the pores of the people with acne prone skin. This may also promote excess and altered sebum production with more oiliness on the skin associated with coconut oil acne myth which can actually result in poor desquamation. The abnormal shedding of the dead skin cells and the entrapment of the debris of excess oil, sweat, dead skin and makeup residue may create an anoxic environment within the pores clogging the walls. The acne causing microorganisms  can proliferate in this environment and multiply exponentially metabolising the excess sebum  into skin irritating  substances. This can literally promote irritation and inflammation on the skin resulting in the worsening of coconut oil pimples on the skin. 

Desi Ghee Can Cure Acne: Busting The Myth

Desi ghee is another familiar household fat surrounded by skincare claims. Used as food and has a history of uses in traditional medicine. It is topically applied to soften dry lips, rough elbow skin and heels. That does not make it an acne treatment.

Ghee is comprised of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids such as 

• Palmitic acid 
• Oleic acid

They usually provide an emollient and occlusion effect. On a dry and non-acne-prone skin, this effect can minimize flaking and make you feel your skin smoother for a while.

On an oily or acne-prone face, however, undiluted ghee may feel greasy, trap heat and sweat or contribute to product-related congestion. There is also limited clinical research establishing the benefits or the comedogenic risk of facial ghee application. Oleic acid is very nourishing for the people with dry and flaky skin type but it can damage the skin barrier of people with oily and combination skin types by producing excess oiliness and greasy feel on the skin and subsequently promoting the development of acne. 

The effect of oleic acid is depending on its 

• Concentration
• Formulation
• The user's skin type

Kitchen ghee is also manufactured as food, not as a sterile or cosmetically preserved facial treatment. Repeatedly using an opened container may introduce contaminants which can further increase the risk of irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. The desi ghee  which is commonly found in Indian households is an excellent dietary fat and a powerful moisturizer for dehydrated dry skin but it may cause problems for skin prone to acne when applied in excess.

This excess oil on the skin can act as food for the acne causing microorganisms which are naturally present on the skin as well as their proliferation that may lead to irritation on the skin and subsequent breakouts.

"Our Ancestors Used It and Had Flawless Skin"

A very common misconception people commonly have is ”Our ancestors used coconut oil and ghee on their faces and they had flawless skin. Why shouldn't we?” 

The main answer lies in the shift between the past and modern daily life which include an increase in the exposure to environmental pollution, shift in the dietary patterns, sedentary lifestyle and stress in daily routine.

Better Options For Acne-Prone Skin

You should choose products that are basically labelled non-comedogenic as well as formulated specifically for facial use. A simple acne-friendly routine may include

1. A Gentle Cleanser
   Wash twice daily with Alite Anti-Acne Neem Face Wash. This face wash has the power of Neem, Aloe vera and Niacinamide . This combo fights the acne causing bacteria while soothing the inflammation on the skin. It also supports skin hydration and boost the barrier repair. 

2. Lightweight Anti-Acne Moisturizer
   A light weight moisturizer supports the barrier repair while preventing the dehydration on the skin. You can use Alite Anti-Acne Gel after regular cleansing on the affected areas to calm the inflamed pimples, decongest and refine the pores and reduce the recurring breakouts on the skin. It contains the power of niacinamide, contacticel and silanediol salicylate in a non-comedogenic gel formula for use on a daily basis. 

3. Dark Spots Reduction Cream
   A dark spots reduction cream will target the post-acne marks, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone due to acne. It will help to gradually fade away the dark spots by inhibiting melanin production with ingredients such as tranexamic acid and alpha arbutin. Use Alite Spots Reduction cream in your night routine before going to bed for the effective results.

4. Broad Spectrum sunscreen
   Prolonged sun exposure may lead to damage on the skin due to UV radiations so it’s very important to apply a layer of sunscreen with 

1. Broad spectrum action

2. Non-comedogenic

3. Light-weight

4. SPF 30+ or higher

This will help to reduce the oxidative stress and damage to your skin. 

Final Thoughts

1. Coconut oil does not cure acne.
   The high comedogenic potential of coconut oil may worsen the clogged pores in people with susceptible skin types. Lauric acid in coconut oil has antimicrobial properties but it cannot be used as a scientifically-backed acne treatment for skin.
2. Desi ghee is not an acne remedy.
   Even though it has the ability to soften the dry skin, lips and rough areas of the body, its heavy and  occlusive  texture may be unsuitable for oily,  acne-prone skin.
3. You should check for the comedogenicity profile before using any product on your skin.

4. 1. If it is closer to 5, it means it has a high tendency to congest the pores and make skin more vulnerable to acne.

   2. If it is closer to 0, it means it has a low tendency to congest the pores and make skin less vulnerable to acne.

5. The chemical constituents of both the ingredients are commonly used for the preparation of many edible, haircare and skincare products but in the context of acne, they cannot be used comprehensively as a treatment for acne without any scientific clinical data on its efficacy and safety.
6. A gentle and simple routine which is built around scientifically-backed  ingredients which offer a non-comedogenic safety profile for use on the skin on a day to day basis is way more reliable than using  coconut oil or ghee for acne prone skin.