Updated On 29th December, 2015.
I was discussing this matter a few days back with my colleagues. One of the girls said that coconut oil makes skin dark!! I was quite surprised because a long time back some body had said that besan (chickpea flour) also turns the skin dark! I was pretty sure that this statement was equally a myth. But, then, I decided to google a bit on it. I did not really find any thing useful!!
It just says that coconut oil is amazing for hair and skin and all. I have been using coconut oil for like, a month, now. I mainly use coconut oil to remove the sunscreen from my face, neck and arms. I haven’t noted any discoloration or pigmentation recently.
In fact, my skin has become more plump and more hydrated and my skin has started to glow. When I had dry patches, I had hoped that coconut oil would be able to make it fine but that was something I could not achieve but then it was the product which was making the skin dry.
Updated: I had posted this article long back in January of 2013. And, since then, I have been thinking a lot about how a particular product can make skin dark. Remember, how I mentioned that there are two kinds of dryness – lack of hydration and lack of moisture!
Recently after an interview with one of the dermatologists, I understood that lack of moisture leads to cracked and dry skin where as lack of hydration leads to dull and dark looking skin. Now, the question is does coconut oil makes skin dark?
Coconut Oil moisturizes the skin. But, unfortunately, it falls short on the hydration part. In fact, most of the oils fall short. So, when you use any oil on your skin, it is best to layer it with another hydrating product so you get best of both things.
Always hydrate before you moisturise. When used this way, coconut or any other oil never makes your skin look dark. Drink loads of water and keep your body hydrated from inside. Same thing goes for hair as well. Use oil or serum to seal the hair when damp and prevent moisture loss.
There was a time when I used virgin coconut oil daily to remove my makeup. It didn’t make my skin dark though.
But I can imagine how someone might think it can darken the skin. If they use it as a moisturizer during the daytime and forget to use sunblock… 😀
yup, true, Rae and that reminds me I totally forgot about writing about application in day time and usage of sunscreen!!!
I have heard tat too from my own sister! No idea if tats true thou.I use coconut oil when my skin gets very dry.
yup, it helps with dry skin a lot because of its chemical composition!!!
It does make your skin darker. I’m a fair skinned person wth red head’ s complexion. I’m never in the sun, I hate it. I don’t know how but I started using coconut oil and sitting outside, only in deep shade. And my reddish pale skin is now darker. Even under my clothes. It’s really a nice color to what I’m use to but I am worried that it’s permenant.
No, I really doubt that. My mom’s very fair and her grandma too and they’ve all been dunking coconut oil on themselves since they were kids, my aunt too…So it cannot make you dark, especially the pure kinds.
oh ok!! now I get it. that makes a lot of sense.
hey Coral, yup, that’s what….the whole problem arises when someone goes out after using it as a moisturizer.
I think if someone applies it & goes out in the sun maybe it makes one tan more, or maybe because of the oily texture it makes the skin “appear” dark coz the skin reflects light differently with oil on it..
yup, true Tanveer…totally forgot to write about the day time usage part…your comment reminded me of that…thanks a lot 🙂
I used to use coconut oil just around my mouth for a few years because that’s where I always used to get dry and now my skin is dark Just around the mouth….what do you think about that?
You don’t have to use it in the sun to get darker. Coconut oil has something in it that absorbs UV rays. UV rays are in the air irrespective of whether there is sun or not. I used it and got darker. I’m a dark skinned woman. I think it has an effect on melanin. People who are fair and use it might not become darker. But it is true in my experience- it did make me darker (in the middle of winter).
hi Vee. yes, I think coconut oil has different effects on everyone! it probably depends on our melanin makeup and how susceptible the skin is to pigmentation.
Yup! Coconut oil definitely helps my skin make and keep it’s darkness. I love it.
I am having this same experience with my skin Vee. I am dark complexion and used coconut oil every night for a few months. My face is much darker than the rest of me. I stopped using the coconut oil when I noticed my new skin tone. Will my skin tone return back to it’s natural shade.
yes it will go back to the original shade slowly.
i have heard that virgin coconut oil actually helps to heal scars.. and remove any scar marks.
yup, it does!! in fact coconut oil is damn good for skin.
No. I love coconut oil and I reach for it when nothing works on my skin. Coconut oil is also believed to be diminish the blemishes and has cooling effect. My dadi and nani sore by this oil when anyone got burnt.
Also, besan/gram flour doesn’t have darkening affect rather this is a natural bleach. However, when besan is mixed with Malai/cream, or if you cream alone it does darken the skin tone. It really does!!
The best combination for getting rid of blesmishes and tanning is curd+besan+coconut oil = amazing ubtan/paste.
Let me know what you think!
<3
oh is it??? i didn’t know that cream darkens the skin!! wow…would try the ubtan you mentioned 🙂
dnt think coconut oil..but ya that dabur laal tel..did make my sisters kids look dark and tanned wen she used dat for massage..
oh is it??? may be its because of some ingredients which coat the body???
i’ve never heard this before..
and besan doesn’t darken the skin. for some 15+yrs i used to use only besan to wash my face & i remember those being the best days for my skin.
yup using them helps the skin so much na!! donno why people have weird notions!!
i dont know about the darkening effect…but i use it as a body lotion right after bath. it leaves my dry skin very soft n supple . my doctor told me that coconut oil is great exfoliator
yup, me too 🙂 and, as a bonus, it acts as an anti-aging treatment as well 😀 yup all oils are exfoliators in fact. have you heard of oil cleansing method: https://swathyandsky.com/2009/12/oil-cleansing.html
coconut oil is used by our ancestors years n years,its natural,highly affordale n use of cocnut oilin any form is not harmful to the skin,its amazing as a body lotion too
yup it is 🙂
Please i really want to know if coconut oil would be great and not too harsh on chilren’s skin.Also does it brigten skin wen used? Thanx.
no its not harsh on children’s skin but whether it brightens the skin or not is not actually proved but it makes the skin texture better and glowing.
No reply
so good to see you comment on my comment!!!!!! you got great blog .keep it up. i use parachute oil.which one do you use? i have checked the oil cleansing method.planning to try this weekend`looks kind of elaborate….
i use coconut oil from patanjali…yes, it is a little elaborate but it is amazing on regular use!! hope it works for you. and, lemme know how you like it??? 🙂
i use coconut oil from patanjali…yes, it is a little elaborate but it is amazing on regular use!! hope it works for you. and, lemme know how you like it??? 🙂
hey swati guess what … i stumbled across a tip on how to make coconut oil at home while browsing the net! planning to prepare it at home!!!! check out on e how site….. there is you tube video also 🙂
me still to use the oil cleaning method 🙁 will do so asap
thanks for the update 🙂 I shall definitely try to give it a try 🙂 and, do tell me if you use how the ocm went for you 🙂
i love d glow it ve on my skin wen i use cocoanut oil, i wish i started earlier
wow..great! how do you exactly use coconut oil…just as a moisturizer???
when to apply coconut oil on face??? During day time or during night time???
any time is fine but if you are going out in sun, i would suggest at night only.
Please, if it is at night only because of the sun, what do u suggest for the day? Thank you.
Thankz for ur reply….. 🙂
🙂
I m also suffering dark skin problem aroun my mouth, specialy on my chin… can u suggest any home remedy for this???
its basically some vitamin deficiency. apply potato juice or tomato juice on the dark skin everyday after cleansing your face, let it dry and wash off. moisturize. it should help. also, use sunscreen in the day!!
Hate to disappoint anyone on here, but I’ve been using it for just three weeks and YES it has turned my skin noticeably darker. In the way it would usually go dark in the summer (it’s the middle of winter here in Britain and there’s no sun). Hence why I’m on google googling it and why I came across this thread. Don’t know why this is. But I’m about to find out…
I do find that my skin gets darker after the use of coconut oil for some reason
I forgot to mention that the one that I use is organic extra virgin coconut oil. I don’t know if that makes any difference, but my skin does get darker and it’s not the sun that causes it.
I’m very fair skinned and I seem to have a yellow tinge?
I made mine myself though I just started. Using it so I cnt tel bt I hope it doesn’t get me dark.
About tomatoes,do I have to blend it to use on my face?
I made mine myself though I just started. Using it so I cnt tel bt I hope it doesn’t get me dark.
It makes me yellow!
I have been using coconut oil for about 2 years now. I use it as an all over moisturiser and I oil pull daily and take a teaspoon daily. My skin has a golden yellow glow? I never sun bake and always wear a hat outdoors and cover up. Although I love coconut oil my concern is that it could be too strong for my sensitive body? I’m very fair skinned. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Hi, I have been using coconut oil for about two years. I oil pull and I use it as an all over moisturiser. I’m very fair skinned. I always wear a hat and cover up in the sun but I have found that my skin has a definite yellow tinge to it. I love coconut oil and I quite like having this glow but I’m wondering is this healthy or could it be a problem? My family have noticed the change in my skin colouring.
hey. it can also be due to something else like a change in your diet and yellow tinge in skin means jaundice or liver problems so consult a doctor!!
a friend of mine, and she is very fair european , uses coconut oil, and her skin always the same ! I, and i am of african decent, used olive oil and only got darker! After i stopped using olive oil my complextion turned to normal. So i think it must be to do with sun exposure….
hey, thanks for letting us with this observation. yes, it is more to do with sun exposure than which oil is used but i guess there is too much conflict regarding this matter 🙂
Please use olive oil extra virgin unfiltered.mostly available abroad.
thanks Heidi 🙂
Hi I have started using coconut oil at night,Is it OK to apply before going bed,m using 100% virgin coconut oil,,,
Hi, i’m Nigerian, caramel-skinned 🙂 …..i had acne issues(eczema to be precise), like little yellow patches on my face since i was 13….i’m now 17 still the same or even worse 🙁 . I used cocnut oil for about 2 weeks, i noticed a change in my skin color, my face got flaky and really light, was scared cus it looked like the yellow patches had joined and thats what gave my face the light tone., my only skin color was around my eye circle, that was the only place that didnt turn light…so i then had two different colors on my face ;(
It got dryer than before and oiler when i wake up in the morning. I also noticed my facial hair became more noticeable..although it made my lashes and eyebrow thicker and silkier….My face became more sensitive, even the tiniest pimple which didnt hurt on a regular basis began to hurt the more. Then i stopped using coconut oil and my skin is no more flaky and less sensitive than before and the light places seem to even out with the dark places.
Now my question is this….
1) i read in this thread that coconut oil doesnt affect facial hairs but why is it affecting mine?
2) u also said that co restores the skin color….does that mean its restoring my complexion, cus i was light when i was a child
3) how will i know if the eczema is gone since my face is blending with the color? its like i have a whole new skin
4) the change of color of my face from dark to light, is it healthy, normal, or natural cus im a bit scared about the changes my face is passing through.
5) my dad had eczema once, so im wondering if its hereditary cus my siblings have had it too
6) is it infectious or contagious cus the pharmacist i went said that i could have infected my sister. She never had it but now she does. We share the same room, could i be the root to her problem?
7) what other option is there for me to cure my eczema or should i just leave it to take over my face since thats what its already doing?
Thanks. by the way nice post 🙂
~Hannah
Use mometasone cream furomom, it can easily available in medical store, and really it works to remove dark skin acne, rashes and infection too. You can see a result in oneweek only. It is amazing cream
Hi if v use coconut oil vl became dark?is it true
Hi can u reply fa mah msg
No if u use coconut oil daily after bath u’ll get a fairer skin n before going in sun apply good sunscream.
No if u use coconut oil daily after bath u’ll get a fairer skin n before going in sun apply good sunscream.
Coconut oil is a very interesting oil. While “bad” lipids soliditate at room tempature, this is quite the exception! Rich in vitamins and made by Mother herself, it’s no wonder our skins smiles. I have trial and errored many types of coconut oils for many years and get drastic results from each one. I found coconut oils that weren’t refined (virgin) and 100% organic under Quality Assurance International (QAI) and Oregon Tilth (NEVER USDA alone) showed the best results. I experienced moist, warm, smooth skin that’s rich in color – I call this a “billionaire glow”. While the refined in-organic coconut oils left my skin dry and itchy. This is caused by the traces of chlorine sill present in the oil after the bleaching and pasturization process; try to steer away from that.
Just remember, your skin is ALIVE, treat it with respect and it will last forever.
my comment is so late 😀 but i was searching for more info about coconut oil and found this . i noticed they always recommend it before you go to bed and then woke up shower , so yeah the key is to use it in home and drs say going out with any kind of moisturizer or oil
if it doesn’t work as sunscreen already then it will make your skin darker . but coconut oil is miracle really .
Anybody help me
My skin is fairer but my skin gets darker during day time.can I prevent this permanently without using spf and suncreams
I’m fair.but when my skin is exposed to atmosphere it gets darker can this be prevented permanently without using SPF and suncreams
i apply coconut oil to my 4yrs child he is very fair will it effect on his skin and how to maintain babies skin
My skin has tanned and lost the moisture ,cox i used a homemade product of ocean salt scrub. I would like to know if i can retain the glow and reduce the tan in my face
Hi Ashwini, that is because you have used salt and probably your skin is not oily or the salt scrub was extremely harsh which is why your skin has become a little raw. Do nothing for a few days and just apply aloe era gel straight from the plant. After a week, start applying potato juice at night after washing your face, let it dry and wash off. Follow with a good moisturiser. Slowly, it will be fine and then scrub your face occasionally with sugar. Your skin will be back to,life and do not forget to use sunscreen every single day in the morning before you go out in the sun.
Hi.. Can I use the same coconut oil on face that I use for hair?.. for example Parachute coconut oil
I am using parachute coconut oil for whole body, face and hair.
great! what results do you find?
Hi, i am using coconut oil for more than 2 years. I apply coconut oil on my body and massage the whole body and face for 15 minutes with scrub for absorbtion. After that, i apply my shower gel and take a shower as usual.i think u should try, it will make your skin very soft like a baby. And also its very cheap.
yeah, it is a cheap remedy. actually, thanks for reminding me. i have recently come across the answer to this question. the coconut oil is rich in proteins so it moisturizes but makes skin and hair dry which is why skin looks dark.
Thanks for quick reply. I am so appreciate it. I think coconut oil is very good and give bad effect at the same time. I suggested as soon as finish a shower, we must apply lotion on our body to maintain the softness. but my skin allergic any types of lotion, so i apply almond oil and it is very good for me to reduces scars also. But, please don’t apply any oil on face or body on day time, just imagine you put oil on pan and ready to fried a chicken. the heat on pan will happen the same to your skin, that’s why skin become darker.
body oils and cooking oils are different and they do not react in the same way! face oils and body oils can be used any time provided you choose the one which suits you.
Hi, I live in UK and I apply cold pressed coconut oil at night and day time. My skin never got darker and it’s free from blemishes.
can i use the natural coconut oil?i mean the one from the real coconut
can i use the natural coconut oil?i mean the one from the real coconut
hii,this is nida,i have dry sensitive allergic skin.i wanna know whether extra virgin coconut oil will be helpful for my face??or will it grow my facial hairs??
Hi Nida, yes it does grow the facial hair especially if you do have a fair amount of it. Not sure how it will be if your facial hair is minimal. Why don’t you try using cleansing balms instead. Clinique is good but expensive. There is one from body shop which I have not tried but it is meant for sensitive skin only.
hi, these are my experiences: i think the darker your skin is, the healthier you are. i was born very white and i did everything to darken it. some of my best experiences was working on an organic farm where i tanned everyday. it was wonderful. my skin immediately became darker. then i stopped working on the farm, and it became light. the combination of organic homemade food i cooked my self that was vegetarian and the sunshine helped me gain health back. i eat eggs, but i can’t eat meat because i crushed my hand in a door when i was little and eating meat reminds me of it. i know it sounds gross, but it’s true. thanks.
I started using coconut oil for 2weeks now nd my skin is becoming dark without break DAT was why I came to google to check if am d only one experiencing the same tin
Hello I’m layani from Ghana
I added coconut oil and olive oil to my Olay quench lotion and I realize I have become darker
So can I apply it only in the night ??
My feet and face has become darker than other parts of my body.
I need a remedy pls
take 2 tbs of multaanimitti powder and add milk to it to make it in to a paste(add gram flour if your skin is oily). Mix it well and apply it for 15-20 mins to make it dry. Do not use fan to dry it. Wash it off with warm water. For better results you can use neem powder also along with it to clear dark spots.
Hello guys, I used coconut oil on my baby’s skin (was adviced to do so) her skin become so dark from neck going down, her face is still a little fair, I stopped using it as soon as I noticed it getting dark, before using this her entire body was fair. I need help on how to remedy this, its been two years now and her face is still fair and body from neck going down is still darker, please help.
hi! please do not worry, baby skin keeps on changing color so it will take a bit of time for you to know what is her real skin tone. just keep her skin moisturized and her diet well-balanced and nutritious. everything will eventually be fine!!