As we all know, coconut oil comes with many health benefits. You can use it as a natural moisturizer, lubricant, cooking oil, and whatnot!
There are different types of coconut oils. You can get virgin, cold-pressed, refined, and many more. But what’s the difference? Does it change any of its properties or usage?
Let’s find out! In this article, we will compare unrefined vs refined coconut oil to understand how they affect your health, cooking, and skin care.
Refined vs Unrefined Coconut Oil
First of all, let us see the difference between refined and unrefined coconut oil and understand how each is made.
Production Process
Refined coconut oil is a processed version of coconut oil. It’s made from dried coconuts, then bleached, deodorized, and filtered to remove impurities.
Even though processed, it’s neutral in smell and without any chemical aftertaste.
Unrefined coconut oil, on the other hand, is made from fresh coconuts by cold pressing or quick drying. No chemicals are used in this process. Thus, the oil retains its natural flavour and aroma.
Nutritional Content Difference
Refined coconut oil loses some nutrients during the refining process due to chemicals and high heat. Therefore, it contains a comparatively lower amount of antioxidants.
Unrefined coconut oil is higher in antioxidants like polyphenols and Vitamin E. It contains lauric acid, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties.
It preserves a good amount of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) compared to refined coconut oils.
Smoke Point
The smoke point of an oil decides whether it's suitable for a particular type of cooking. For example, if you want to fry something, you must use an oil with a higher smoke point to prevent burning your oil.
Refined and unrefined coconut oils have distinct smoke points of ~400–450°F (200–230°C) due to the processing they have undergone.
Unrefined coconut oil has a smoke point of ~350°F (175°C), making it best suitable for low–medium heat cooking.
Flavour & Aroma
Refined coconut oil loses most of its taste and aroma and has a neutral flavour. It’s best to use it while cooking when you don’t want a coconut flavour in your dish.
On the other hand, unrefined coconut oil retains most of its flavour and aroma; you can use it to make tropical dishes and desserts where you expect coconut flavour.
Shelf Life & Storage
Both unrefined and refined coconut oil can last ~2 years if stored properly in a tight container in a cool area.
Unrefined coconut oil may solidify more quickly in cold temperatures than refined ones.
Which Coconut Oil is Better for the Skin?
Many people wonder whether they should use refined or unrefined coconut oil for their skin, and the answer depends on their skin type and preferences.
Both refined and unrefined coconut oils are completely safe to apply to your skin. However, the results they provide may vary due to the refining process.
Refined Coconut Oil
Refined coconut oil is odourless, thus making it a great choice to apply on your hair or use as a moisturizer. It’s less likely to irritate sensitive skin due to its neutral state.
On the other hand, due to the nutrients and antioxidants lost during the refining process, it may provide poor results compared to unrefined coconut oil.
Unrefined Coconut Oil
Unrefined coconut oil contains more antioxidants than refined coconut oil, making it more effective on skin problems. It can be used as a natural moisturizer.
Though it comes with a strong coconut scent, which not everyone likes, it’s also comedogenic for some skin types and might clog pores, leading to acne breakouts.
Therefore, you should always patch-test it before regularly using it.
Which One Should You Choose?
There are various answers for different purposes. Let’s see which type of coconut oil is best to use for which purpose.
For Cooking
If you expect a coconut flavour in your dish, choose unrefined coconut oil; otherwise, choose refined coconut oil.
If you are cooking a low–medium-heat dish, you can choose unrefined coconut oil, but if you are cooking a high-heat dish, make sure to use refined coconut oil to avoid burning the oil.
For Skin and Hair
If you expect faster results and maximum nutrients, choose unrefined coconut oil; otherwise, use refined oil. If you are bothered by the strong scent of coconut, choose refined coconut oil.
Budget
Refined coconut oil is usually cheaper than unrefined one, but it comes with all the chemical processing, loss of nutrients, and lack of natural aroma.
On the other hand, unrefined coconut oil is on the pricier side, but it retains all its natural goodness, aroma, and nutrients, making it the healthier, tastier choice.
You can get 100% pure, cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil at Gyros Farm and enjoy the benefits.
Conclusion
Whether it’s refined or unrefined coconut oil, only one truly retains its natural goodness, and that’s the unrefined one. You can use it to cook and for skin and hair care without any issues.
Research shows that coconut oil has been in use in India for thousands of years due to its high content of antioxidants and nutrients.
At Gyros Farm, purity and authenticity are our top priorities! Our Stone Pressed Coconut Oil is extracted from freshly harvested, uncut copra, free of any preservatives or refining.
FAQs
Is coconut oil toxic to eat?
No, this is a common misconception debunked many times. Coconut oil is completely safe to eat.
Can I use coconut oil daily on my skin?
Yes, but make sure your skin isn’t the oily type, as it can cause an acne breakout on oily skin.