Fractionated coconut oil is made from regular or virgin coconut oil. Both standard and fractionated coconut oils contain medium-chain triglycerides that provide fatty acids. However, the types of fatty acids in each oil differ.
Regular coconut oil is made up of mostly long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and also has an element called the 12-carbon lauric acid (C12). C12 and long-chain fatty acids are purposefully removed from fractionated coconut oil. Instead, fractionated coconut oil contains two medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA):
- C8- caprylic acid or octanoic acid.
- C10- decanoic acid or capric acid.
The C8- and C10- acids undergo a different metabolic process than other fatty acids. They are sent directly to the liver to provide energy. The medium-chain fatty acids found in fractionated coconut oil have also been found to benefit people with Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and epilepsy.
Fractionated Coconut Oil vs. Regular Coconut Oil
Both fractionated and regular coconut oil contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that provide your body with fatty acids. MCTs can be beneficial to your health.
Leads to weight loss and reduced insulin resistance. Eating foods and oils with high levels of MCTs can help lead to weight loss at a greater rate than alternative oils. The MCTs in coconut oil can also help reduce insulin resistance in people with diabetes. They also help improve other risk factors in people with diabetes and excess weight.
Improves brain function and increases good cholesterol. The MCTs in coconut oil are useful in helping improve brain function and in helping reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Coconut oil contains natural saturated fats that are good for your heart health. A diet enriched with MCTs can also be helpful to children with epilepsy. The MCTs found in coconut oil can alter their appetite and allow them to eat more protein and carbs.
How Is Fractionated Oil Made?
Making fractionated coconut oil is a lengthy process. By heating coconut oil above its melting point, the long-chain fatty acids and lauric acid can be removed from the rest of the mixture. Because these two elements have a higher melting point than the medium-chain fatty acids, they turn from liquid to solid at a quicker rate. The solid fraction of the oil can be removed, and the liquid oil remains.
The result is a tasteless and odorless liquid coconut oil, best used as a moisturizer, hair oil, and massage oil. Fractionated coconut oil sinks into your skin quickly and is less likely to clog your pores than normal coconut oil. It can also be used as a dietary supplement and has a longer shelf life than most other forms of coconut oil.
When Should You Use Fractionated Olive Oil?
Fractionated coconut oil is more liquid than solid when compared to normal coconut oil. Regular coconut oil only becomes liquid under high temperatures (78 degrees F) and has a greasy feel. Because of this unique difference, fractionated coconut oil is best used for therapeutic purposes.
Use as a moisturizer for smooth and healthy skin. Fractionated coconut oil is rich in hydrating properties that help to soothe and soften your skin, while also helping combat stretch marks. When you apply the oil after shaving, it can help to prevent itchiness and razor bumps, leaving you with smooth, glowing skin.
Use as a massage oil for an easy blend. The oil is both odorless and colorless, allowing it to mix well with any essential oil. As a carrier oil, it hydrates your skin and spreads the fragrance of the essential oil, making the scent last longer. Fractionated coconut oil is a great choice of massage oil, as the thickness of the oil also helps make the massage strokes gentle and easy.
Fractionated olive oil can also be used to make a variety of products, such as:
- Massage oils
- Bath and body blends
- Soaps
- Hair treatments
- Roll on remedies
- Moisturizers