But, don’t rush to throw away your favorite jar just yet.

Meet the Experts

What Is Coconut Oil?

Who Should Use It:Anyone whose skin is not prone to acne or congestion.

close up of coconut oil on light green background

Liz Desousa for Byrdie

Works Well With:Coconut oil should be used on its own.

Don’t Use It With:There are no known negative reactions with coconut oil.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin

Who Should Use It?

Anyone looking to moisturize their skin can benefit from using coconut oil.

It’s generally safe for most skin types.

The exception: congested or acne-prone skin.

(More on this later.)

As with anything we apply to our skin, quality is key.

Dr. Cheung says to look out for virgin coconut oil, as the refining process can remove beneficial antioxidants.

We recommend the Dr. Bronner’s Whole Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil.

To finish, rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Sunflower oil is anon-comedogenicoption for those with acneic skin.

As with any ingredient, trial and error is important.