“Typically, applying too much oil on your skin may create an oil film that prevents the skin from breathing, and may even clog pores and result in breakouts.
The bottom line
Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which helps kill the bacteria that cause acne. Applying coconut oil to the skin can kill acne-causing bacteria and increase moisture, which may also reduce acne scarring.
Which Oils Cause Acne? Heavy oils such as coconut, olive, and mineral oils can clog pores and cause acne. Coconut oil clogs pores and is often found in hair products which is one reason people develop acne on their forehead.
Whether you are experiencing dry skin because of the weather, or you always have dry skin, facial oil can help boost your moisturizer's hydrating efforts. When you apply oil on your face after your moisturizer, it seals in all of the hydrating ingredients, making your skin more likely to hold onto that added hydration.
She adds, “This makes the oil highly comedogenic. If you leave coconut oil on your face all night long, there is a good chance you might wake up to blackheads or whiteheads due to sebum and impurities getting trapped in your pores. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, coconut oil may even contribute to breakouts.
Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils fit the description. "Many [topical] oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts," says Dr. Love. "So, using oils on acne-prone skin is akin to adding gas to a fire."
Moisturize Your Skin
Coconut oil makes a wonderful moisturizer for your legs, arms, and elbows. You can use it on your face as well — though this isn't recommended for those with very oily skin. It can also help repair cracked heels.
“Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it clogs pores and has a high chance of causing breakouts, whiteheads or blackheads,” says Hartman. “As such, I do not recommend using coconut oil if you are prone to breakouts or have sensitive skin.”
Coconut Oil Won't Erase Acne Marks or Scars
Coconut oil can help moisturize the skin, and make it feel silky smooth. But it won't repair the skin. Unfortunately, it can't do anything to fade acne marks or heal scars.
Cheeks. Share on Pinterest Friction or rubbing of the skin may cause acne on the cheeks. Breakouts on the cheeks can occur as a result of acne mechanica, which develops due to friction or rubbing of the skin.
What does acne on upper cheeks mean? Acne on the upper cheeks is likely caused by clogged pores due to transfer of oil and bacteria to the skin and can be treated the same way as any acne on the face.
If you haven't gotten enough rest the night before, the telltale sign of sleeplessness could sit on top of your nose. Acne can flare up when you aren't getting enough sleep. In fact, sleep deprivation is considered one of the three main acne triggers, along with stress and sweating. Studies have borne this out.
Washing your face throughout the day can irritate your skin and cause acne breakouts.
Stress is one of the most common causes of acne. That's because it causes the body to produce excess cortisol and other hormones in response, and these hormones trigger the overproduction of sebum in the skin. While sebum is important for keeping the skin hydrated and youthful, an excess will clog pores quickly.
And face oils aren't just desirable for dry skin types either. As counterintuitive as it sounds, using oil on oily skin can actually be beneficial. “For oily skin, if the skin is stripped of natural oils, it will go into overproduction mode and cause more sebum buildup,” Engelman explains.
Can I use coconut oil on my face every day/night? Yes, you can use coconut oil on your face every day and night. All you need to wash your face, dry it, and apply a small amount of coconut oil on your face at night and every morning.
Simply dab a few drops of facial oil onto your skin and smooth over your face and neck. Give it two to three minutes to absorb before following up with foundation. If you apply foundation on skin that's ultra-oily, it may slip and slide around.
The lauric acid in coconut oil has nourishing properties that seep into your skin. Some coconut oils absorb quickly, providing moisture to heal dry, chapped lips.
Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin and a buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which leads to inflammation (swelling and redness) in the pores. Oil glands get stimulated when hormones become active during puberty. That's why people are likely to get acne in their teens.
What causes pimples on the lip line? Excess oil production, bacteria, and hair follicles that are clogged by oil, dead skin, and debris can cause pimples on the lip line. Stress, hormones, and certain medications can increase your risk for pimples and worsen acne.
Persistent acne on one side of your faces tends to be due to dirty phones, pillowcases, and other habits like touching your face. Cleaning your smartphone regularly with a disinfectant wipe can help minimize breakouts. If you're on the phone frequently for work, consider purchasing a Bluetooth headset.