Children with eczema: improvement in 93% with virgin coconut oil vs 53% with mineral oil; less water loss through skin
Evangelista 2014, Int J Dermatol · Source
Coconut Oil
Cocos nucifera · certified organic
The silky base of the Salve. It melts at body temperature, helps skin hold on to its own moisture, and is gentle enough that hospitals have studied it on premature newborns.
93%of children with eczema improved on virgin coconut oil, vs 53% on mineral oil
Meltsat body temperature
Newborn-gentlestudied on premature babies' skin
Why we love it
Coconut oil gives the Salve its melt-on-contact feel. In skin trials it eased dryness and eczema better than mineral oil, and its main fatty acid, lauric acid, is the building block of monolaurin, which has been tested in vaginal gels.
What does the research show?
Dry skin and eczema
In a trial of 117 children with eczema, 93% of those using virgin coconut oil improved by at least a moderate amount, compared with 53% using mineral oil. In adults with dry skin, it worked as well as mineral oil with no irritation.
Skin bacteria
In a trial of 52 adults with eczema, Staphylococcus aureus was still on the skin after four weeks in 1 person using coconut oil, compared with 6 people using olive oil.
Fragile skin
In premature babies, coconut oil kept skin condition stable and reduced water loss through the skin, with no skin irritation reported.
Monolaurin in vaginal gels
Monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate) is made from lauric acid, the main fatty acid in coconut oil. It is not the same as coconut oil. In a small trial of 36 women, monolaurin gels lowered Candida and Gardnerella counts without changing vaginal pH or lactobacilli. In a larger trial of 109 women with BV, a monolaurin gel did no better than placebo at clearing BV, though lactobacilli rose.
Studies
Human study tested in people Lab study a starting point, not proof
Adults with eczema: S. aureus remained in 5% with coconut oil vs 50% with olive oil
Verallo-Rowell 2008, Dermatitis · Source
Dry skin on the legs: as effective and safe as mineral oil; no irritation
Agero 2004, Dermatitis · Source
Very low birth weight babies: less water loss through skin and better skin condition
Nangia 2015, J Trop Pediatr · Source
Very preterm babies: skin condition stayed stable vs worsening in controls; no irritation
Strunk 2018, Neonatology · Source
Monolaurin vaginal gels lowered Candida and Gardnerella; pH and lactobacilli unchanged
Strandberg 2010, Antimicrob Agents Chemother · Source
5% monolaurin gel for BV: clinical cure 17% vs 25% placebo (no benefit); lactobacilli rose
Mancuso 2020, J Low Genit Tract Dis · Source
Virgin coconut oil, taken by mouth and applied to the vulva, lowered vaginal Candida counts, which rose in the untreated group
Zen 2021, Andalas Obstet Gynecol J · Source
All 17 Candida albicans samples were sensitive to coconut oil at a 1:4 dilution
Ogbolu 2007, J Med Food · Source
Monolaurin did not harm vaginal lactobacilli or their lactic acid; a 5% vaginal gel left vaginal bacteria unchanged in monkeys, with less inflammation
Schlievert 2008, Antimicrob Agents Chemother · Source
Monolaurin killed Staph aureus and broke up its biofilms at levels about 200 times lower than lauric acid, while lactobacilli were highly resistant
Schlievert 2012, PLoS One · Source
Monolaurin stopped Candida albicans, including a fluconazole-resistant strain, and reduced its biofilms
Seleem 2016, PeerJ · Source
Capric and lauric acids, both found in coconut oil, killed Candida albicans by disrupting its cell membrane
Bergsson 2001, Antimicrob Agents Chemother · Source
Capric and caprylic acids blocked the thread-like growth form of Candida, and capric acid eased oral thrush in mice
Takahashi 2012, Med Mycol J · Source
Low concentrations of coconut oil reduced Candida biofilm formation by about 20 to 40%
Huangyart 2024, J Dept Med Serv · Source
Coconut oil and beeswax suppository base worked together with clotrimazole against Candida
Mustapha 2023, Future J Pharm Sci · Source
Organic coconut oil was among the most active oils tested against E. coli and Klebsiella from urine
Magdy 2025, International Continence Society · Source
How has it been used traditionally?
Coconut oil has been used for skin and infant massage across South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific for generations. In the US it is a common cosmetic and food ingredient.
Is coconut oil safe on the vulva?
Oils, including coconut oil, can weaken latex condoms. In a lab test, oil-based vaginal products cut the time to condom breakage sharply. If you use latex condoms, apply the Salve after sex rather than before, or use a water-based lubricant.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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Reviewed by the Momotaro Apotheca medical team, including OB-GYNs and naturopathic doctors. Educational information, not medical advice. All ingredient research