Olive Oil vs. Coconut Oil for Psoriasis

Olive oil and coconut oil are both popular natural moisturizers for psoriasis, but they behave quite differently on skin. Here's how to choose between them.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, particularly lauric acid (roughly 45–50% of its fatty acid profile), which contributes to its moisturizing and mild antimicrobial properties. It has a lower melting point than many other natural oils, meaning it's often semi-solid at room temperature and liquefies readily on contact with warm skin, which many people find pleasant to apply.

Research has found coconut oil performs comparably to mineral oil as a moisturizer for dry skin (xerosis), with good tolerability and effectiveness at improving hydration and skin surface lipid levels — though not necessarily superior to standard alternatives. It's also mildly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores for some people, particularly relevant on the face or in acne-prone areas.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in oleic acid and contains antioxidant compounds like polyphenols and vitamin E. It has a notably different structure than coconut oil — its fatty acid profile is less occlusive and, somewhat counterintuitively, some research has found olive oil can actually impair skin barrier function with regular use in certain contexts, an effect not typically seen with coconut oil.

That said, olive oil remains widely used and well-tolerated for many people, particularly as a base ingredient in other formulations or as an occasional treatment rather than a primary daily moisturizer.

A Direct Comparison

Factor	Coconut Oil	Olive Oil
Primary fatty acid	Lauric acid (medium-chain)	Oleic acid (long-chain)
Texture at room temperature	Semi-solid, melts on skin contact	Liquid
Comedogenicity	Moderate — can clog pores	Generally lower, but variable
Barrier function research	Generally supportive	Some evidence of potential impairment with regular use
Best suited for	Body, scalp, general daily moisturizing	Occasional use, cooking-grade quality for topical use

Practical Recommendations

• For daily body and scalp moisturizing, coconut oil generally has a stronger evidence base and more consistent tolerability
• For facial or acne-prone areas, be cautious with both, but particularly coconut oil given its comedogenic potential — lighter, non-comedogenic alternatives may suit better
• Choose virgin or extra-virgin quality for either oil, since more processed versions retain fewer beneficial compounds
• Patch test either option, since individual skin responses vary regardless of general research trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one oil definitively better than the other for psoriasis?

Not definitively — coconut oil has somewhat more consistent supportive research for skin barrier function, but individual response varies, and both are reasonable options to try.

Can I combine both oils?

Yes, some people use them for different purposes — coconut oil as a daily moisturizer, olive oil as an occasional treatment or base for DIY preparations.

Next Steps

Explore our Coco Psora Oil, built on a coconut oil base with added Wrightia tinctoria.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Sources & References

• Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis, 2004.
• Lin TK, et al. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017.