Does coconut oil have antibacterial effects?

The key takeaway.

Coconut oil has antibacterial properties primarily related to its rich content of lauric acid and monolaurin, which can disrupt the membranes of certain bacteria, particularly Gram-positive ones such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Experimental studies also suggest activity against Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium involved in acne.
On acne-prone skin, its occlusive and comedogenic properties can limit its usefulness, even though its isolated components exhibit antibacterial activity in laboratory studies.
In oral health, coconut oil used in mouthwash ("oil pulling") has shown a reduction of Streptococcus mutans comparable to that of chlorhexidine.
Despite these promising findings, coconut oil does not replace clinically validated antiseptics or antibiotics, particularly in cases of confirmed infection.

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Does coconut oil exhibit antibacterial properties?

The coconut oil is a plant-based oil composed predominantly of medium-chain triglycerides, with lauric acid accounting for approximately 45 to 50% of its lipid fraction. In addition to its nourishing effects, it has notable antibacterial properties. These are mainly attributed to the presence of lauric acid and its derivative, monolaurin. Lauric acid can interact with the lipids making up the bacterial membrane, causing disruption of its structural integrity. This membrane disturbance leads to increased cellular permeability, which can result in lysis and bacterial death. This action is particularly pronounced against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, whose membrane structure makes them more susceptible to this type of lipid-based attack.

Monolaurin, formed from lauric acid, also exhibits significant antimicrobial activity. It can penetrate the bacterial cell wall, disrupt cellular metabolism and alter membrane exchanges essential to the microorganism’s survival. Other medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil, notably capric, caprylic, and caproic acids, contribute to this activity by also targeting bacterial lipid membranes. Beyond this direct action, some scientific data suggest that coconut oil may exert an immunomodulatory effect by increasing macrophage phagocytic activity, thereby indirectly contributing to antimicrobial defense.

These combined mechanisms — direct membrane disruption and immune response modulation — explain why coconut oil is studied as a natural antimicrobial agent. However, its efficacy depends on the context of use, the concentration, and the type of bacteria targeted.

Oral health: coconut oil as a mouthwash?

The coconut oil is frequently used as a mouthwash to perform "oil pulling," a practice derived from traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

It involves swishing a small amount of vegetable oil in the mouth for several minutes before spitting it out. This technique is presented as a way to reduce the oral bacterial load, improve oral hygiene, and limit gingival inflammation. With the cornflower hydrosol, coconut oil is now one of the most commonly used natural extracts in this context, due to its lauric acid content and its purported antimicrobial properties.

In this context, a clinical study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil by comparing it to chlorhexidine, a reference oral antiseptic. The study enrolled 50 girls aged 8 to 12 years, randomly divided into two groups: one performing a daily coconut oil mouth rinse and the other using chlorhexidine. Participants were instructed to rinse for 2 to 3 minutes each morning after brushing, over a 30-day period. The bacterium Streptococcus mutans, the main agent involved in dental caries formation, was measured in saliva and dental plaque using a standardized test on days 1, 15, and 30. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in the number of S. mutans in both groups between the start of the study and the thirtieth day.

Day	S. mutans score in the “coconut oil” group	S. mutans score in the “chlorhexidine” group
0	2.20	1.72
1	1.76	1.52
15	1.24	1.00
30	0.84	0.68

Comparison of mean S. mutans scores in saliva between the "coconut oil" and "chlorhexidine" groups.

Source: BIJAPUR G. A. & al. Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans: An in vivo study. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry (2016).

Notably, no statistically significant difference was observed between coconut oil and chlorhexidine in terms of antibacterial efficacy against this bacterium.

These findings suggest that coconut oil may reduce the load of S. mutans in a manner comparable to chlorhexidine in this specific context. However, it is important to recall that the study involved a small sample size, a specific population, and a relatively short duration, which calls for cautious interpretation of these conclusions.

Can coconut oil effectively combat skin infections?

The antibacterial properties of coconut oil also generate interest in the field of dermatology. Several experimental studies have investigated its action against bacteria involved in skin infections. However, most of the available data come from studies in vitro or animal models, requiring cautious interpretation regarding its practical application.

A first study examined the activity of virgin coconut oil against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium frequently involved in skin infections. The researchers evaluated the inhibitory effect of coconut oil on an isolated strain using a broth dilution assay. The results confirmed a inhibition of bacterial growth at a concentration corresponding to approximately 0.102% lauric acid. Electron microscopy analysis revealed alterations to the bacterial cell wall, suggesting a direct destructive mechanism. Moreover, coconut oil significantly increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages, indicating an additional immunomodulatory effect. These data suggest that virgin coconut oil combines a direct antibacterial action with potential support of the innate immune response.

Another study evaluated the activity of lauric acid against Cutibacterium acnes, the bacterium involved in acne inflammation. The results in vitro showed that lauric acid had a minimum inhibitory concentration significantly lower than that of benzoyl peroxide, indicating a more pronounced antibacterial activity under these experimental conditions. C. acnes was found to be particularly susceptible to lauric acid compared to other skin bacteria also tested in the study.

Effets inhibiteurs de l’acide laurique sur la croissance de différentes bactéries. — Inhibitory effects of lauric acid on the growth of various bacteria.
Source: HUANG C. M. & al. Antimicrobial property of lauric acid against Propionibacterium acnes: Its therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2009).

These results underscore the antimicrobial potential of lauric acid and, by extension, virgin coconut oil.

However, it is important to note that the coconut oil has a rich, occlusive texture and a high comedogenic rating. In acne-prone individuals, applying it undiluted to the face can promote pore obstruction and counteract the theoretical benefits of its antibacterial activity. Thus, despite its demonstrated biological interest in laboratory studies, we recommend that those with combination to oily, acne-prone skin proceed with caution and avoid using this oil in its pure form.