Coconut Oil, Virgin, Cold Pressed, Organic, 400 g

Virgin coconut oil cold-pressed to organic quality is one of the basic vegetable fats used in making balms, body butters, soaps and hair care products. It is obtained from fresh coconuts without refining, so it retains its natural coconut scent and original fatty acid composition. On the skin it softens and helps retain moisture; in hair it provides nourishment and reduces dryness.

In a formulation it serves as an emollient and carrier for essential oils. In anhydrous products it provides a firmer consistency, and in cold-process soap it is one of the common soap-blend oils. The oil holds COSMOS Organic certification, is vegan and supplied in food-grade quality, so it can also be used in the kitchen.

What the oil does in a formulation

• Skin softening and protection – on the skin surface it forms a thin film that slows water evaporation. The manufacturer recommends it especially for dry, rough and cracked skin.
• Hair conditioning – according to the manufacturer it nourishes hair and reduces dryness. In oil treatments and scalp masks it is used on its own or as a base for other ingredients.
• Cleansing – dissolves oily impurities and decorative cosmetics, so it is added to cleansing balms and makeup-removing oils.
• Skin soothing – according to the manufacturer's documentation it helps reduce redness and the sensation of irritation.
• Skin elasticity – the manufacturer also indicates support for skin elasticity and a smoother appearance.

The fatty acid profile consists primarily of lauric acid (41 – 56 %), followed by myristic acid (13 – 23 %) and shorter chains, caprylic acid and capric acid (each 3 – 15 %).

Use in a formulation

The melting point is 25 – 26 °C. In a cooler room the oil is solid to buttery; in warmth it liquefies. Before weighing, simply place the container briefly in a warm water bath. The recommended processing temperature is up to 40 °C; it is therefore blended into emulsions during the cooling phase or worked into the finished base afterwards.

It dissolves in oils, butters and waxes, not in water. In anhydrous formulations it forms the base or part of the oil blend; dosage according to documentation ranges from 1 to 100 %. It can also be used on its own as a single-ingredient body or hair oil. In cold-process soap it is combined with other oils. Verify the saponification value of coconut oil in a soap calculator before calculating the lye.

Suitable product types

• Balms, body butters and sticks – on its own or blended with softer butters and oils, where it provides a firmer consistency.
• Lip care – in lip balms as a softening ingredient.
• Hair oils and scalp masks – as a pre-wash treatment or in small amounts on hair ends.
• Cleansing balms and makeup-removing oils – combined with an emulsifier for easier rinsing with water.
• Soaps, bath bombs and bath salts – as the oil component that leaves a softening film on the skin after dissolving.
• Baby cosmetics and shower products – documentation indicates suitability for all skin types including sensitive skin, in both rinse-off and leave-on products.
• Kitchen – food-grade quality allows use in cooking and baking as well.

Useful notes for formulating

A product with a high proportion of coconut oil will be softer in summer and firmer in winter. If the balm is to hold its shape in warm weather as well, add wax or a harder butter to the formulation and test the finished product at the temperature at which it will be used.

The oil contains no preservatives or parabens. To extend the freshness of an oil blend, an antioxidant such as tocopherol is commonly added.

The product contains none of the fragrance allergens listed in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and is not classified as hazardous under the CLP Regulation; a safety data sheet is not required. It contains no palm oil derivatives, alcohol or GMO-derived ingredients.

Frequently asked questions