The Different Types of Coconut Oil for Making DIY Soap and Skin Care

What’s the difference between virgin and refined coconut oil? What about 76-degree coconut oil vs regular? Fractionated coconut oil vs regular coconut oil? And what is 76-degree coconut oil? Learn more about the different types of coconut oil and which varieties are best for your DIY skin care.

If you make soap, or any skin care product for that matter, you’ve most likely used at least one of the many different types of coconut oil. It’s super versatile: it makes a great hard bar of soap, a moisturizing lotion, and hair treatments to die for.

When I started making my own soap and skin care products, many moons ago, I was surprised to learn there are different types of coconut oil for the skin.

I was confused too.

What makes fractionated coconut oil different from 76 degree coconut oil? When should I use virgin coconut oil over refined?

There are so many different types of coconut oil for the skin, how do you choose between them all?

There are certain coconut oils that work better in particular instances. So, here’s a quick description of each to help you decide which coconut oil will be the best fit for your needs.

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Virgin (Unrefined) Coconut Oil

You’ll often find this at the grocery store and specialty markets, most virgin coconut oil is pressed from the fresh meat of the coconut, without high heat or solvents.

In general, coconut oil labeled “virgin” or “unrefined” retains all the qualities of the coconut–so it smells and tastes like coconut.

But, because there is no industry standard for “virgin” or “extra virgin” coconut oil, this isn’t always the case. Basically, companies can label their coconut oil however they like.

If you’re keen on keeping that coconut taste and flavor, whether it be for cooking or for your handmade skin care products, you might have to try a few brands to make sure it lives up to your expectations.

Virgin coconut oil is solid at cool temperatures and liquid at warmer temps. It is typically the more expensive option of the bunch.

Choose Virgin or Unrefined Coconut Oil For:

Although it can be used in all DIY skin care products, virgin coconut oil works best where the flavor and scent can really shine.

Use it in:

• Lip balms
• Lip scrubs
• Body butters
• Lotion
• Body scrubs

Although it can be used in soap but it’s expensive compared to other types of coconut oil, and the scent won’t hold through the saponification process.

I like this brand of virgin coconut oil for crafting my products.

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Refined Coconut Oil

Refined coconut oil is made from the dried meat of the coconut. It’s then steam refined or refined with chemicals to remove any impurities from the oil. The refining process also takes away the majority of the coconut scent and taste.

This can be to your advantage, though. You can cook with refined coconut oil without adding coconut flavor to your foods. You can make your skin and hair care products without your fragrance oils having to compete with coconut scent.

If you’re buying your coconut oil in bulk for soap making and skin care treatments, this is the coconut oil you’ll want in most cases, simply because it’s less expensive than virgin coconut oil.

You’re still getting all the skin-loving properties from this coconut oil without the larger price tag.

Choose Refined Coconut Oil For:

This is generally the go-to coconut oil for handmade skin care products. You can use refined coconut oil it in all of your products. It’s also the best coconut oil for soap making, as it’s inexpensive and you can get refined coconut oil by the gallon.

76 Degree Coconut Oil

What’s up with the 76 degree? This just refers to the melting point.

Coconut oil, whether virgin or refined, has a melting point of about 76 degrees (unless it’s been hydrogenated, but more on that in a minute). Seventy-six degree coconut oil is another name for refined coconut oil.

When you see 76 degree coconut oil, it just means that your oil will be solid white at temps lower than 76 degrees, and will become softer or melt completely above this temperature.

This sometimes takes people off guard when they buy coconut oil that is liquid only to find a solid white mass in the jar a few days later, or vice versa. This is a normal, natural way for coconut oil to behave, so don’t worry.

This is an important quality to think about, though, when you’re formulating your skin care recipes. That coconut oil based lip balm that is the perfect texture in the cool winter months may turn into a melty mess during the summertime.

Choose 76 Degree Coconut Oil For:

Because refined coconut oil and 76 degree coconut oil is one-in-the-same, it’s a great oil for the majority of handmade skin care products, including soap.

92 Degree Coconut Oil

Need a coconut oil with a higher melting point? Ninety-two degree coconut oil is for you. FYI, there is also a 100 degree coconut oil available.

Just like with 76 degree coconut oil, 92 degrees indicates the temperature this oil will melt.

So, 92 degree coconut oil melts at 92 degrees, 100 degree coconut oil melts at 100 degrees. These oils are hydrogenated to give them a higher melting point.

Choose 92 Degree Coconut Oil For:

Higher melting point oils are great options if your product (like the lip balm we talked about earlier) needs to be less sensitive to fluctuations in temperature.

This coconut oil is best for:

• Whipped body butters
• Bath bombs
• Bath melts
• Lip balm

Ninety-two degree oil is OK for soap too but the 76-degree is less expensive, so save yourself a few bucks, friend.

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Fractionated Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil is oil that never goes solid. This is because the long chain triglycerides, mainly lauric acid, have been removed to keep it in liquid state, no matter what the temperature.

Because these components have been removed, you can consider fractionated coconut oil as just a portion of the entire oil.

This type of coconut oil does have its benefits. Although it’s very rarely used in cooking, it’s a common skin care ingredient. (Here’s the fractionated coconut oil I use in my DIY skin care.)

Fractionated coconut oil is less greasy on the skin than regular coconut oil, and some studies show it’s less likely to clog pores. It makes for a good massage oil, or carrier oil for essential oils, because it won’t solidify.

Choose Fractionated Coconut Oil For:

Fractionated coconut oil can be used when you want to add the benefits of coconut oil without worrying about it solidifying.

It’s especially good for:

• Facial oils
• Serums
• Sugar scrubs
• Massage oil
• As a carrier oil for essential oils

IMPORTANT NOTE: You can use fractionated coconut oil to make soap, just be aware that it has a different saponification value than 76 degree coconut oil. But it doesn’t give any additional benefits to soap, and makes a softer bar.

Because it’s so much more expensive than regular coconut oil, I’d personally not use this in soap making.

Time to turn that coconut oil into something great! Here are some coconut-y recipes you’ll love:

• Coconut and Lavender Cuticle Balm
• Simple 2-Oil Cold Process Soap
• Sugary Spearmint Lip Scrub Recipe