Cold-Pressed vs. Refined Coconut Oil: Why It Matters for Your Skin

Coconut oil is everywhere in body care. But not all coconut oil is created equal. The difference between cold-pressed (virgin) coconut oil and refined coconut oil is the difference between a product that truly nourishes your skin and one that simply sits on the surface. Our AUM Restorative Body Oil uses only cold-pressed, fractionated coconut oil. Here's why that matters.

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat (white flesh) of mature coconuts. It's composed primarily of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which give it unique properties compared to other plant oils.

The Fatty Acid Profile

Coconut oil contains:

Lauric acid (45 to 53%): Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, deeply moisturizing
Capric acid (6 to 10%): Antimicrobial, supports skin barrier
Caprylic acid (5 to 10%): Antifungal, lightweight, fast-absorbing
Myristic acid (16 to 21%): Helps other ingredients penetrate skin
Palmitic acid (7 to 10%): Emollient, softening

This unique fatty acid composition makes coconut oil:

Lightweight despite being an oil
Fast-absorbing (doesn't sit on skin)
Antimicrobial (protects against bacteria and fungi)
Deeply moisturizing without clogging pores

Cold-Pressed vs. Refined: The Critical Difference

Cold-Pressed (Virgin) Coconut Oil

Extraction method: Mechanical pressing of fresh coconut meat at temperatures below 120°F (49°C). No chemicals, no heat, no refining.

What's preserved:

All fatty acids in their natural, bioavailable form
Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols)
Polyphenols and antioxidants
Natural antimicrobial compounds
Subtle coconut aroma (from natural compounds)

Benefits for skin:

Maximum nourishment and bioactivity
Superior antioxidant protection
Enhanced antimicrobial properties
Better absorption and efficacy

Refined Coconut Oil

Extraction method: Dried coconut meat (copra) is processed using high heat (up to 400°F) and often chemical solvents. The oil is then bleached and deodorized.

What's lost:

Most antioxidants (destroyed by heat)
Vitamin E content significantly reduced
Polyphenols degraded or removed
Natural antimicrobial compounds diminished
Beneficial aroma compounds stripped away

What remains:

Basic fatty acid structure (but less bioavailable)
Moisturizing properties (but reduced efficacy)
Neutral scent (because beneficial compounds were removed)

Why it's used: It's cheaper to produce, has a longer shelf life, and has no scent (which some manufacturers prefer for adding synthetic fragrances).

The Science: Why Cold-Pressed Is Superior

1. Antioxidant Content

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology compared cold-pressed and refined coconut oil:

Cold-pressed: 5 to 10 times higher antioxidant activity
Refined: Most antioxidants destroyed during processing

Antioxidants are critical for:

Protecting skin from free radical damage
Preventing premature aging
Supporting skin's natural repair processes
Reducing inflammation

2. Vitamin E Preservation

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant essential for skin health. Research shows:

Cold-pressed coconut oil: Retains 80 to 90% of natural vitamin E
Refined coconut oil: Loses 60 to 80% during high-heat processing

Vitamin E:

Protects skin lipids from oxidation
Supports barrier function
Reduces UV damage
Promotes healing and repair

3. Polyphenol Content

Polyphenols are plant compounds with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Cold-pressed: High polyphenol content preserved
Refined: Polyphenols degraded by heat and removed during bleaching

Polyphenols in coconut oil:

Reduce skin inflammation
Protect against environmental stressors
Support healthy skin aging
Enhance the oil's therapeutic properties

4. Bioavailability of Fatty Acids

While both cold-pressed and refined coconut oil contain the same fatty acids on paper, the structure and bioavailability differ.

Heat processing can:

Alter the molecular structure of fatty acids
Reduce their ability to penetrate skin effectively
Diminish their moisturizing efficacy

Cold-pressed coconut oil's fatty acids remain in their natural, most bioavailable form, allowing for:

Deeper penetration into skin layers
More effective moisture retention
Better support of the skin barrier

Fractionated Coconut Oil: The AUM Advantage

AUM uses fractionated, cold-pressed coconut oil. Here's what that means:

What Is Fractionation?

Fractionation is a process that removes the long-chain fatty acids (like lauric acid), leaving only the medium-chain fatty acids (capric and caprylic acid).

Why Fractionate?

Regular coconut oil solidifies below 76°F (24°C), which can be inconvenient for body care. Fractionated coconut oil:

Remains liquid at all temperatures
Absorbs even faster than regular coconut oil
Feels lighter and less greasy
Has an indefinite shelf life (won't go rancid)
Is completely non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

What's Retained

When done properly (as in AUM), fractionation preserves:

The fast-absorbing capric and caprylic acids
Antimicrobial properties
Lightweight, silky texture
All the benefits of cold-pressed processing (antioxidants, vitamin E, polyphenols)

Coconut Oil's Benefits for Body Skin

1. Deep Moisturization Without Greasiness

Coconut oil's medium-chain fatty acids:

Penetrate skin quickly (within 2 to 3 minutes)
Provide lasting hydration (12+ hours)
Don't leave a greasy residue
Work for all skin types, including oily

2. Skin Barrier Repair

The fatty acids in coconut oil mimic those naturally found in skin's lipid barrier. This means:

They integrate seamlessly into the barrier
They repair damage from harsh weather, aging, or products
They prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)
They strengthen skin's natural defenses

3. Antimicrobial Protection

Lauric acid (in whole coconut oil) and capric/caprylic acids (in fractionated) have proven antimicrobial properties:

Effective against acne-causing bacteria
Protects against fungal infections
Helps prevent body acne on back and chest
Supports skin's microbiome balance

4. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Studies show coconut oil reduces skin inflammation:

Soothes irritated, red skin
Helps with eczema and dermatitis
Calms post-shave irritation
Reduces sensitivity

5. Antioxidant Protection (Cold-Pressed Only)

The preserved antioxidants in cold-pressed coconut oil:

Protect against UV damage
Prevent premature aging
Support skin's natural repair
Reduce oxidative stress

Why AUM's Coconut Oil Base Is Superior

In AUM, cold-pressed, fractionated coconut oil serves as the perfect carrier for our active botanicals:

1. Optimal Delivery System

Coconut oil's molecular structure allows it to:

Carry fat-soluble vitamins and compounds (like vitamin C from Amla and Kakadu Plum) deep into skin
Enhance the absorption of Gotu Kola's triterpenoids
Deliver lavender's therapeutic compounds effectively

2. Synergistic Benefits

Coconut oil doesn't just carry other ingredients. It amplifies them:

Its antimicrobial properties work with lavender's to soothe and protect
Its barrier-repair function supports the firming effects of Gotu Kola
Its antioxidants complement the vitamin C from Amla and Kakadu Plum

3. Lightweight, Fast-Absorbing Texture

Because we use fractionated coconut oil:

AUM absorbs in 2 to 3 minutes
You can dress immediately
No greasy residue on sheets or clothes
Suitable for all skin types, even oily or acne-prone

4. Stability and Purity

Cold-pressed, fractionated coconut oil:

Has an indefinite shelf life
Won't go rancid or oxidize
Requires no preservatives
Maintains potency throughout the product's life

How to Identify Quality Coconut Oil in Products

When shopping for coconut oil-based body care, look for:

"Cold-pressed" or "virgin" on the label: Indicates minimal processing
"Fractionated" for body oils: Ensures lightweight, non-greasy texture
Short ingredient lists: Quality oils don't need fillers
No "refined," "RBD" (refined, bleached, deodorized), or "hydrogenated": These indicate heavy processing

The Bottom Line

Coconut oil is a powerful ingredient for body skin, but only when it's cold-pressed and minimally processed. The difference between cold-pressed and refined is the difference between:

Active antioxidants vs. degraded compounds
Bioavailable fatty acids vs. altered structures
Therapeutic benefits vs. basic moisture
A product that transforms skin vs. one that just sits on the surface

In AUM, we use only cold-pressed, fractionated coconut oil because we're committed to efficacy, not just marketing. Every ingredient must earn its place by delivering real, measurable results.

Experience the difference that cold-pressed coconut oil makes. Discover AUM here.