Is Coconut Oil Carcinogenic?

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You may be incorrect if you think that beauty and skincare products use pure coconut oil. It is because, most of the time, the beauty industry is fooling us by using modified coconut oil instead of pure coconut oil.

Now, when it’s about the side effects of coconut oil, you may ask, “Is coconut oil carcinogenic or has the potential to cause cancer?”

Well, chemically processed coconut oil used in many personal-care products (including body wash, hair color, and shampoo) is a recognized carcinogen, but using pure coconut oil for these purposes is still OK.

To know further in this regard, check out the whole article.

Is Coconut Oil Carcinogenic?

As mentioned above, pure coconut oil is not carcinogenic and safe to use. However, a type of modified coconut oil called Cocamide DEA (Cocamide Diethanolamine) has undergone chemical modification. This foaming agent combines the fatty acids in the oil with an organic compound called DEA. Although coconut is not carcinogenic, Cocamide DEA is carcinogenic and can cause cancer.

Apparently, cocamide DEA is used in skincare and hair care products as a foaming agent. It is an emulsifying agent that helps cleansers be thick and creamy. Small doses of cocamide DEA can cause skin allergies, but taking a high dosage of cocamide DEA has the potential to cause cancer. Businesses in California are required by Proposition 65 to provide a warning label if they employ cocamide DEA because the state classifies this chemical as carcinogenic.

Not only using but also ingesting coconut oil can be harmful to your health. For instance, repeatedly heating coconut oil will be harmful to your health. However, the evidence is slight and only done in rats and mice. It is safe to say consuming and applying refined, and Cocamide DEA is risky for overall health.

Some people also claim coconut oil is an effective sunscreen, which is not valid. Putting coconut oil as a sunscreen and going under the sun will burn your skin. Oil and heat technically cook your skin and burn it. However, research indicates that coconut oil can only block 20% of UV rays, making it ineffective as a sunscreen and likely to worsen skin damage.

Does Coconut Oil Become Carcinogenic When Heated?

We often reheat our refrigerated food, but studies show reheating your food releases toxins that can be carcinogenic. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), some of which have been reported to have cancer-causing potential, can be released when cooking oil or coconut oil is heated repeatedly. Eating these compounds with foods will give you cancer and other health issues. 

This study demonstrates the genotoxic and carcinogenic dangers of repeatedly heated coconut oil (RCO), one of the most widely used frying and cooking oils. That means the RCO that is found in coconut gets carcinogenic when heated. 

These two forms of coconut oil are available. One is virgin coconut oil, and the second one is refined coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is pure coconut oil extracted without any modification. However, refined coconut oil is modified, and most coconut oils are refined. These refined coconut oils release toxins when it comes to heating. We often reheat or sauté vegetables in coconut oil, thinking it will be healthy. However, coconut oil is high in saturated fatty acids, and the calorie density is also high.

Every oil, including coconut oil, has a “smoke point” where it can burn and release toxins if a specific temperature is reached. The burned oil can be carcinogenic, and it will increase the activity of free radicals. Coconut oil’s smoke point is 350 Fahrenheit, which is very low. Sauteing or heating coconut oil releases free radicals and carcinogenic particles.

What Are the Dangers Of Coconut Oil? 

Coconut oil is known to be healthy for our bodies. But coconut oil also has some dangerous health risks if you don’t consume it properly. If you are not aware of its consumption, you can also develop some diseases. It’s incorrect for some people to refer to coconut oil as a “good fat,” though it’s somewhat true.

According to The American Association, coconut oil is worse than butter and other fats. The study demonstrated that compared to nontropical vegetable oils, consumption of coconut oil results in significantly higher LDL cholesterol. This should influence your decisions regarding coconut oil consumption. Coconut oil has 82% saturated fat, higher than beef lard(50%) and butter (63%).

Coconut oil also increases heart disease if you eat it frequently. Coconut oil will cause the artery walls to harden and narrow, leading to heart blockage. Oxygen can not reach the heart properly if the artery walls are narrow. That means coconut oil can easily cause heart disease.

Is It OK To Put Coconut Oil On My Face?

Putting coconut oil on your face can cause breakouts and clog the pores. No matter how pure coconut oil you get, it will clog your pores.

Coconut oil is a comedogenic product, causing comedogenic acne all over the face. Coconut oil is a thick substance, and it feels heavy when you apply coconut oil to your face. It also clogs pores and causes blackheads and whiteheads. However, putting refined coconut oil on your face also causes health risks.

Some users apply coconut oil to remove makeup and sunscreen before going to bed. However, coconut oil is a thick product and can not be removed without double cleansing your face. So if you don’t double cleanse, the oil will stay on your face, leading to clogged pores. 

Coconut oil also causes acne buildup and produces oil from pores. Coconut oil becomes the food for acne-causing bacteria, and they create pimples. People used to think coconut oil is good for the skin because it is “organic” and does not contain harsh chemicals. However, “organic” does not mean the product has to be good for the skin. 

It is OK to put coconut oil on your face unless you are double cleansing and cleaning the oil properly off your skin. But make sure not to put coconut oil on and go directly under the sun to avoid skin burning. 

FAQs

Which components of essential oil are carcinogenic?

There are components of essential oils that are carcinogenic. Asarone, estragole (methyl chavicol), safrole, and methyl eugenol are some of them. Basil leaves contain high concentrations of estragole and methyl eugenol, which are both present in pesto.

Is cooking oil carcinogenic?

Vegetable oils or other cooking oils are frequently overheated and reused in the kitchen. (PAH) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are just one type of chemical that can form when cooking oils are heated and cooled multiple times.

Conclusion

Still, confused about applying coconut butter to your skin? Well, if you get organic and pure oil, you can use it safely since it is not carcinogenic. But if you are purchasing the oil or any products that contain this oil from a store, you must check the ingredients. If there is mention of the “Cocamide DEA,” then it would be better to avoid them. Moreover, you should consult a dermatologist before applying anything to your skin.