11 Best Coconut Oils (& How to Choose the Right Brand)

Many brands advertise themselves as making the ‘best coconut oil”, but it can often feel overwhelming knowing which one to pick.

If you’re reading this wondering “which coconut oil is the best for me?” - then look no further! We at OriGym have created a comprehensive guide on the top 11 coconut oils on the market. 

Contents:

• 11 Best Coconut Oils
• What is Coconut Oil Good For?
• What to Look for in a Coconut Oil
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Our Conclusions

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11 Best Coconut Oils

#1 - Sevenhills Extra Virgin Raw Coconut Oil

Price: £8.99 

Size: 500ml

Kick-starting this list of the best coconut oil is UK based brand, Seven Hills.

Seven Hills promise that their organic coconut oil will boost your energy expenditure compared with other oils. They also mention how their coconut oil can reduce appetite, helping to facilitate long-term weight loss. 

Many enjoy adding coconut oil to smoothies, protein shakes and even salad dressings for extra flavour and texture. Coconut itself is a diverse ingredient, often used in nutritious snacks like healthy cereal bars and fruit bars, as well as savoury dishes like curry.

In addition to being a great cooking ingredient, this raw oil also works as an ideal moisturiser to add to your skincare routine. When applied as an overnight moisturiser, coconut oil can be beneficial for those with dry and/or flaky skin. 

Now, when purchasing your coconut oil, reviews may help you to decide which is the best for you. Seven Hill’s currently have a 100% 5 star track record, showing that the product’s description lives up to customer satisfaction. 

So, if you’re looking to discover the best coconut oil to buy, we’d highly recommend checking out this product from Seven Hills.  

#2 - OKAY 100% Pure Coconut Oil

Price: $12.00 (approx. £9)

Size: 177ml

Next up, we have a product brought to you by OKAY, one of the best coconut oils for skin and hair. 

Incorporating coconut oil into your beauty regime can help to replenish damaged hair and dry skin. OKAY’s signature coconut oil provides moisture for hair and skin cells while also sealing in nutrients to enhance hydrating effects. 

If you’re more concerned about hydration for the body, though, check out our complete report on the best hydration tablets on the market.

OKAY advise scooping an ample amount of melted coconut oil onto your fingertips and palm, and applying it to the hair from the roots to the tips. Leave for 20 to 30 minutes before washing with shampoo and conditioner. Ensure to rinse thoroughly to avoid the hair feeling greasy.

Their silky smooth coconut oil is ideal for the body, too. For skin, scoop a small amount of coconut oil with your fingertips and palm and gently massage it into your skin until evenly distributed. Many either leave coconut oil on for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning to create a moisturised barrier for their day.  

In summary, if you’re wanting to replenish your skin and hair from dryness, OKAY’s high-quality yet cheap coconut oil is certainly a viable option for you. 

#3 - Dr Jackson's Coconut Melt

Price: £18.00 

Size: 15ml

Are you on the hunt for the best coconut oil in the UK? Then Dr Jackson may be the one for you. 

Dr Jackon is a sustainability-conscious brand who are known for their natural and organically sourced skincare products. They also pride themselves on being cruelty-free and vegan, which may already be the deciding factor for which coconut oil you opt for.

Their 04 Coconut Melt is designed for the skin in helping to spot-treat dry areas such as the lips and cuticles. It can also be used as a natural make-up remover. Why not also use it as a hair conditioner? Simply rub a small amount onto the ends of your hair and leave it overnight. Rinse thoroughly in the morning and follow with shampoo and conditioner. 

Dr Jackson believes that whatever your plans are, you should always have access to a top-quality skincare routine. This is why they developed the perfect travel size pot of the best coconut oil for your skin, ensuring you’ve always got the hydration you need.

You’re able to take advantage of all the natural restorative properties of coconut, as well as have a convenient way to rejuvenate your skin and hair. 

While this entry on our list of the best coconut oils is only available in small quantities, it offers significant benefits for the body, as well as providing a great way to bring an extra glow to your skin.

#4 - Perfectly Pure Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Price: £14.99 

Size: 453g  

If you’re after a great quality but cheap coconut oil, then Holland & Barrett’s range of pure coconut oil may be the best option for you. 

This 100% pure and natural, cold-pressed coconut oil is ideal for baking and cooking. It can bring additional flavour and texture to your favourite dishes. For that reason, it’s often recommended as part of the best vegan cookbooks, especially as a way to bring additional flavour to dishes.

Holland & Barrett also note that the purity of the oil means that no smoke is produced when frying, another reason why it’s the best coconut oil for cooking. Now, since it is perfect for incorporating into your diet, you may be curious about the nutritional information. 

One tablespoon serving of coconut oil contains: 

• 125.5 calories
• 13.94g fat
• 0g carbohydrates
• 0g sugar
• 0g protein

This goes to show that Holland & Barrett’s coconut oil is also beneficial for boosting your fat macros while not contributing towards your carbohydrates and protein. 

When selecting your coconut oil, reviews may help you make your decision. It is important to note, therefore, that this range of Perfectly Pure oil has an average rating of 4.8 stars awarded by over 750 customers. 

Want to discover more coconut cooking oils to enhance your meals? Make sure to check out the next option! 

#5 - Lucy Bee’s Creamed Coconut

Price: £7.95 

Size: 500g

Next up on the list of best coconut oil is UK brand, Lucy Bee. This creamed coconut is perfect for making coconut milk, sauces,  and curries, and is a great way to add some flavour into a spread. 

Lucy Bee promises that you’ll never need to purchase coconut milk again as her organic cream coconut functions as both coconut oil and milk. It is also perfect if you enjoy injecting some rich and creaminess into your cooking without using butter. 

This 500g jar equates to 6 x 400ml cans of coconut milk, which is certainly a cheap alternative. 

It comes unsweetened and is ideal for quickly adding into a savoury sauce or curry without worry of it altering the flavours too much. Conversely, simply add a touch of sugar or honey if you would prefer it with something sweet.

Another reason why this is the best coconut oil for cooking is that it is both gluten and dairy-free. Lucy Bee supports Fair Trade while also being a sustainability-conscious brand that uses only recyclable materials for their products. 

#6 - Bulk’s MCT Oil

Price: £10.49 (RRP £14.99) 

Size: 500ml 

This next option is something a little different - a liquid coconut oil brought to you by Bulk. 

This MCT oil contains medium-chain triglycerides, a form of highly digestible fats that are sourced from coconuts. It is easier for the body to digest compared with other oils such as olive oil. 

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. When you eat, the body converts calories that it doesn’t need to use straight away into triglycerides. These are stored as fat cells. Furthermore, shorter triglycerides are easier to digest and can make weight loss easier. 

Bulk note that their MCT oil is ideal for endurance athletes who want to create their own nutritional formulas with minimal hassle. The oil can easily be added to protein smoothies, salads and mixed into sauces making it one of the best liquid coconut oils on the market. 

The nutritional information per 15ml of MCT oil is as follows: 

• 124 calories
• 14g fat

One key thing to note about this coconut oil is that it’s also suitable for vegans and vegetarians, making it an ideal food for vegan weight training. So, if you approached this article wanting to discover some of the best coconut oil brands available to you, Bulk is certainly one to consider. 

#7 - Nature’s Truth Liquid Coconut Oil

Price: £9.99

Size: 118ml

Want to find the best coconut oil for your skin? Then UK-based company Nature’s Truth may be the best option for you.  Their liquid coconut oil is perfect for those wanting to boost moisture in their skin, building a protective barrier as you go about your day.

It is a super lightweight and unscented base that promises to keep your skin hydrated and fresh. Why not also recreate a spa experience and use the oil for massages? 

To get the true massage effect, Nature’s Truth suggests mixing just 10ml of coconut oil with 5 drops of their essential oils. Gently work the oil into the skin until it’s completely absorbed and reapply when needed. 

As one of the best coconut oils available in liquid form, it promises to nourish and gently cleanse the skin, as well as soothe any irritation. This is why Nature’s Truth suggests using their flagship coconut oil in soaps and moisturisers, and recommends incorporating it into your daily routine.

#8 - Organic Coconut Oil (Unrefined & Raw)

Price: £4.19

Size: 200g

Clearspring’s unrefined organic coconut oil is suitable for vegans, vegetarians and kosher while also completely raw and pure. The coconut oil is produced by firstly peeling the coconuts that are then pressed and filtered to bring you a more nutritious, flavourful oil.

Coconut oil has a natural melting point of 23 degrees celsius, making it really easy to use as a face cream, massage oil or for a base to your favourite dish. Clearspring’s oil also comes with a range of tips on how to use it for cooking

They recommend using their coconut oil to brown onions and garlic as a base for casseroles, stews and soups. You can also brush the liquid on vegetable kebabs before BBQ-ing, especially important if you’re looking to bypass higher calorie cooking oils in favour of enjoying the benefits of healthy eating.

It’s also important to note that coconut oil can withstand being cooked at high temperatures, perfect for evenings in the garden, or frying up dishes without worrying about staining or damaging your crockery.

Not quite convinced yet? Well, when selecting your coconut oil, reviews may help you to make a decision. Over on Clearspring’s website, their organic unrefined coconut oil has an average rating of 5 stars. 

#9 - Frylight 1 Cal Coconut Oil Cooking Spray

Price: £2.50

Size: 190ml 

Are you wanting to find the best organic coconut oil but are also wanting to lose weight? Weight loss is something many struggle with, and finding healthy alternatives to the things we use each day is a great way to minimise calorie intake, as well as maintain the weight loss we might already have.

Frylight’s 1 calorie coconut oil spray is the perfect way of adding coconut oil to a pan, into a sauce or as a dressing without the worry of hugely diminishing your calorie allowance. 

Frylight believes that their coconut oil spray can help you to use 95% less oil which, most of the time, could even be unnecessary. This means that you can save hundreds of calories each day when using it in place of regular poured oil. 

This coconut cooking oil comes with a delicate scent, perfect for enhancing a dish with a nutty and earthy flavour. To prepare the spray, simply shake well and press the nozzle several times to activate. Spray enough to cover the base of your cooking pan, which should only be 4 or 5 sprays.

You can purchase Frylight’s coconut cooking oil spray from most supermarkets, making it one of the more commercially available coconut oils on our list.

#10 - Rainforest Foods Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Price: £6.99

Size: 500ml

Are you looking for the best coconut oil in the UK? If so, Rainforest Food’s extensive range offers numerous options to suit all tastes and budgets. We’ve chosen one specific product that offers numerous coconut oil benefits for the skin.

This unrefined organic coconut oil is perfect for enhancing your skincare routine, as well as replenishing damaged hair and making your meals tastier with the unmistakable flavour of coconut oil. 

Rainforest Foods' promise is to deliver only the highest quality products to their customers, especially since the coconut oil will either be consumed or applied to the body. They’ve completely ensured that the purest of methods have been used in sourcing, making and delivering coconut oil to your home.

Still not convinced? This delicious coconut oil has also won the Great Taste Award for its delicate while rich nutty flavour, which it maintains while still being completely suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. 

#11 - Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Spray

Price: £6.00

Size: 150ml

Last but certainly not least, we have the best coconut oil for skin in the UK - Palmer’s coconut oil body spray. 

Palmers have been making skincare products for over 50 years, ensuring customers get smooth and hydrated skin. They also pride themselves on being the “#1 Coconut Oil Brand” on the market, and for good reason, with innovative ideas and developments when it comes to coconut oil. 

Now, this coconut oil is a little different to other options on this list. The spray is a blend of Palmer’s ethically and sustainably sourced coconut oil, Tahitian Monoi Oil, infused with Tiare flower petals. Each of these has deeply hydrating qualities to rejuvenate and replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Every one of Palmer’s sprays is handcrafted, each offering superior formulations of the highest quality products at an affordable price. This alone is enough to rank Palmer’s spray as the best coconut oil for your skin. 

As ever, when selecting your coconut oil, reviews may help you to decide which is best. On Amazon, Palmer’s spray has an average of 4.7 stars based on over 5,300 reviews.  While this product isn’t an unrefined or organic coconut oil as some other products on this list are, it can certainly help your skin to feel fresh, radiant and hydrated. 

What Is Coconut Oil Good For?

Now that we’ve covered the best coconut oil to buy, let’s now run through the various purposes of coconut oil, and how you can implement them into your day-to-day life. 

We at OriGym aim to draw your attention to other ways that coconut oil can be used which you may not have known before reading this article. 

Cooking

Coconut oil is a staple ingredient used in many homes, offering a much healthier alternative to more traditional kitchen oils (like vegetable or olive). It can add a nutty flavour and additional texture to a meal. 

Coconut oil can be added to food in various ways including in smoothies, protein shakes, sauces, curries and salad dressings just to name a few. For cooking, it’s usually found in a more solidified, waxy form, but it melts down as heat is applied, and coats the base of your pan.

It’s available in most supermarkets, and is usually found with the rest of the cooking oils. It presents an ideal base for those on a more eco-conscious diet, such as veganism.

Check out the previous sections to determine which will be the best coconut oil for cooking in your home, including solid forms of coconut oil, and those in a spray bottle.

Hair & Skin

Coconut oil is also widely used for treating hair, providing an additional layer of protection for delicate or difficult-to-care-for hair. It is particularly beneficial for those who have very dry or damaged hair caused by colouring or too much heat. 

Coconut oil has anti-breakage properties which can prevent split ends and frizz from developing, as well as offering an oily covering that can protect against adverse weather conditions, or damage from cold.

Simply add the oil to the hair from root to ends, and wash well with shampoo and conditioner afterwards. 

As well as helping to moisturise the hair, coconut oil is also beneficial for helping those with dry and chapped skin. Take a small amount of oil and massage it between the fingertips before gently massaging it into the skin. 

Coconut oil helps to keep the skin supple and hydrated for longer than standard moisturisers, plus it offers a cheaper alternative to more expensive skincare treatments and oils. 

Protection from Sun

While we’ve already touched on how coconut oil benefits the hair and skin, there is another added aspect of coconut oil that offers protection against a potentially harmful factor. Coconut oil creates an ideal way to protect the skin from harsh sunlight.

Recent research suggests that coconut oil can block approximately 20% of the sun’s UV rays, which is a huge boost, especially if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for your protection against sunlight.

While this shouldn’t always be used as an alternative to sun cream, it is still beneficial to know that should you opt for coconut oil as a moisturiser, you will also gain some protection from sun rays. 

Make-up Remover

Another great way that coconut oil can be used is as a make-up remover. Simply warm the oil up in your hands and massage over the skin as you would a cleanser then rinse with warm water. 

This is a great alternative to using make-up wipes which can be harsh on the skin and damaging to the environment, and makes it an ideal choice for those with a more sensitive complexion.

If these purposes sound attractive to you, refer back to this article’s range of coconut oil brands to find a product that works best for you. 

What to Look for in a Coconut Oil

“What is the best coconut oil” may have been a question you had when beginning this article. 

There are various types of coconut oil on the market which often makes it difficult to know which is the best for you and your needs. So, this section will run through different features of coconut oil so that you know exactly what to look for. 

Organic

Opting for organic and unrefined coconut oil means that you're purchasing a product where additives or pesticides have not influenced its production, which can be ideal if you’re looking to follow a more restrictive plan, like the paleo diet. 

Organic also means that it is not manufactured through bioengineering processes, which includes adding specific bacteria to food to prevent quick spoilage. You’re simply using coconut oil in its purest form. 

This may be preferable to you if you plan on using your coconut oil for cooking, and you’re specifically looking to include more organic produce in your usual diet. It’s also ideal if you’re looking for the purest form of coconut oil to use on sensitive skin.

Cold Pressed

Many coconut oils (as well as other oils on the market) may also be advertised as being ‘cold pressed’. But, what is this?

When producing coconut oil, you need to extract the ‘meat’ or flesh from the harder outer shell of coconut. This is then scooped out and made into oil that we can use for all the purposes we’ve outlined above. 

However, cold-press means that this process is done without heating the product up, which can cause a breakdown of key elements of the coconut oil. Cold-pressed products do not undergo any refining, meaning they’re naturally additive-free, and ideal if you’re looking to cut out additional elements in your food.

Virgin & Extra Virgin

Coconut oil (as well as most other oils) can be labelled either as ‘virgin’ or ‘extra virgin’. These terms are typically used interchangeably, but it can often be difficult to tell them apart, especially on a supermarket shelf. 

With our previous points in mind, “extra virgin” and “virgin” simply means unprocessed, in that they haven’t undergone any of the post-harvesting treatments that other superfruits and vegetables may have.

The oil, therefore, is brought to you using only natural methods, meaning it hasn’t been bleached, deodorised or refined in any way. Again, this may be an attractive feature of coconut oil should you be using it as a substitute for more conventional moisturisers.

Tub or Liquid

When looking for coconut oil to buy, you are likely to come across it being sold in different forms. This means that coconut oil is usually found as either a solid (coming in a waxy form, packaged in a jar or tub) or a liquid (typically in a bottle or sprayer).

Given coconut oil’s versatility, the choice you make is entirely down to personal preference. Coconut oil has an incredibly low melting point of 23 degrees celsius, meaning that as soon as you apply solid it to the hand, it will melt relatively quickly.

Purchasing liquid coconut oil may be preferable as it simply skips the step of melting the oil yourself. This also means it can be added to a meal or used as a moisturiser with slightly less hassle, ideal if you’re looking to speed up your morning routine, or cook a quick breakfast before running to work.

Keeping all the traits and options we’ve outlined above in mind, you’ll be able to find the right option for you, as well as be more mindful of the labels you see in the supermarket. This is especially important if you’re looking to be more eco-friendly with your purchases, or adhere to a more stringent diet program (like veganism or keto).

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which Coconut Oil is The Best?

Now that we’ve covered a range of oils, what they’re good for and specific features, you may now be wondering “but, which coconut oil is the best?”. Your purposes for using coconut oil will entirely depend on which one you opt for. 

Coconut oil has a range of uses from enhancing your meals, removing makeup and moisturising dry hair and skin. Its diversity cements it as a staple in many diets, as well as being one of the best ways to access key vitamins for the immune system.

If you want to cook with your coconut oil, you should definitely opt for unrefined organic coconut oil, as you’ll then be avoiding any unnecessary additives or preservatives.

Equally, you may wish to opt for the same features when applying oils to your body. You could choose Palmer’s oil spray, which has added oil blends to enhance hydration effects, and provide gentle protection for the skin. 

Ultimately, your choice of coconut oil comes down to personal preference, and what you’re using the product for. They all enhance your health and wellbeing - you may simply want to cut down the list depending on your purposes for using the oil. 

What Is The Purest Form Of Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil in its purest form is virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil, although organic or cold-pressed coconut oils offer very similar levels of purity, as well as all of the same coconut oil benefits we’ve explored.

What this means is that no additives or preservatives were used in the production of coconut oil. It also means that the coconut oil is not manufactured through any bioengineering processes, which include pesticide and antibacterial treatments that other, more processed foods may have undergone. 

Virgin coconut oil has a wealth of benefits including making your meals tastier, being great for hydrating hair and skin, removing make-up, and even mitigating against some of the sun’s harsh UV rays. 

Is Coconut Oil Better For You Than Other Oils?

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides. This means that the oil is highly digestible compared with other oils. Moreover, the body can absorb the oil more quickly compared with long-chain fatty acids. 

Some examples of oils that contain long-chain fatty acids (which can be more harmful in large quantities) include olive, safflower and macadamia oil, all of which are commonly used oils in cooking and food preparation. 

Additionally, some research suggests that opting for coconut oil can reduce the risk of developing some cardiovascular diseases. This is because most other oils have a higher saturated fat content compared with coconut oil. 

In summary, therefore, there is research to suggest that coconut oil is better for you from a digestive perspective than other oil options. It also offers significant advantages over other oil options on the market.

Before You Go!

As we’ve just explored, coconut oil has a range of benefits including enhancing meals, helping to remove makeup and rejuvenating dry hair and skin. Coconut oil also comes in a healthy range of forms whether it be in liquids, sprays or a solid tub. 

And with its wide availability in supermarkets and shops, getting your hands on coconut oil has never been easier. The options highlighted in this list also include different types of coconut oil to  accommodate your preference. You may want an organic virgin oil for your skin, a cooking oil spray or a blend of other hydrating oils too. 

But if you’re already familiar with how to create an effective plan using the right foodstuffs, then a career in nutrition could be your calling. 

OriGym’s nutritionist course is the industry leader, with expert guidance available seven days a week, and a custom-made online learning portal. Download our FREE prospectus today to learn more, or submit an enquiry to hear back from one of our dedicated team.

References 

1. Korać, R. and Khambholja, K., 2011. Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 5(10), p.164.
2. Khaw, K., Sharp, S., Finikarides, L., Afzal, I., Lentjes, M., Luben, R. and Forouhi, N., 2018. Randomised trial of coconut oil, olive oil or butter on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in healthy men and women. BMJ Open, 8(3), p.e020167.