What is Fractionated Coconut Oil?
The coconut tree, cocos nucifera, is the only living species within that genus. It grows in warm climates and can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet) tall. Coconuts themselves aren’t actually true nuts. Instead, they fall under the botanical classification of “drupes.” A drupe is any fruit that has flesh around a hardened seed. Peaches are one example.
Based on fossil evidence, coconut trees originated either in the Indo-Pacific or South America. They were likely present in India before the 1st century BC and they were referenced in the Ramayana (a Sanskrit epic poem). They also appeared in One Thousand and One Nights as one of the items that Sinbad the Sailor bought and sold. The oil extracted from coconuts has been used for cosmetic, culinary, and industrial purposes. It is commonly used to create oil blends in the Ayurvedic alternative medicine tradition.
Coconut oil is extracted from coconut milk or from copra, which is dried coconut fruit. This oil is a solid at room temperature. While it is possible to use this type of coconut oil as a carrier oil, it still has a more noticeable coconut aroma and it can be more inconvenient to mix. To create a more suitable oil for this purpose, we use fractionation. This involves removing long-chain fatty acids to leave mostly medium-chain fatty acids. This results in a clear, odorless liquid. Our C8 fractionated coconut oil specifically isolates C8 fatty acids.
What is in Coconut Oil?
Pyurvana’s C8 fractionated coconut oil contains 99% C8 fatty acids, specifically caprylic acid. This is also called octanoic acid and has many benefits. It is an emollient, meaning it can help to soften your skin. Unlike some other types of fatty acids, it doesn’t leave a sticky residue and is instead very smooth.
Primary Benefits
Coconut oil is excellent for moisturizing your skin. The caprylic acid helps to nourish dry areas and has a pleasant silky texture. This carrier oil is particularly well-suited to creating massage or body oils because it glides on easily. Although you can use coconut oil alone for a massage, adding our 100% pure essential oils can enhance the effects. Depending on which oil you choose, you can enjoy a warming sensation as well as soothing aromas.
Essential oils that enhance these effects:
- Cinnamon bark
- Cinnamon leaf
- Clove
- Ginger
- Orange
- Peppermint
Fractionated coconut oil is also great for hair care, especially for massaging your scalp. It lightly moisturizes without leaving greasy residue. After you apply the oil, leave it on for thirty minutes, then wash it out. For a more intense conditioning treatment, you can also leave coconut oil with or without essential oils in your hair overnight. This can be helpful if you have damaged hair.
Essential oils that enhance these effects:
- Clary sage
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Grapefruit
- Oregano
- Rosemary
How to Use Coconut Oil as a Carrier Oil
For dilution, add three drops of pure essential oil to one teaspoon of coconut oil. You should mix this thoroughly before applying. If you are using the oil on your face, three drops of essential oil in four teaspoons of coconut oil is a more ideal dilution. If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to start with a lower concentration.
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