What Is Fractionated Coconut Oil?

Fractionated Coconut Oil is one of many carrier oil choices used to dilute essential oils for safe application on the skin.

In its abbreviated form “FCO”, these 3 letters simply stand for Fractionated Coconut Oil. If you’ve been learning about aromatherapy and essential oils use, you’re certain to have heard about it!

This article explains in-depth why FCO is a high quality carrier oil that anyone can safely use. I’ll also explain the differences between FCO and “regular” coconut oil that you buy at the supermarket.

Coconut Oil Vs. Fractionated Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the staple ingredients for cooking and skincare in every health-conscious person’s home. It is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that our body needs internally and externally. The most common types of coconut oils are Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO).

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil turns solid at lower room temperatures which makes it harder to spread when used on the skin. FCO stays liquid even in lower temperatures, making it more suitable for skincare use. FCO is also less likely to cause breakouts or skin irritations as it is quite easily absorbed by the skin.

The two may come from the same nut but they are totally different oils! Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is made by cold-pressing the liquid from the coconut meat, then separating the oil from the milk and water. Making Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) requires an extra step. The oil is made from regular coconut oil and put through an extra process called fractionation. FCO is more stable compared to VCO.

How is FCO Produced?

Coconuts, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Solid Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil is a product prepared from ordinary coconut oil. It contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) like capric acid (C10) and caprylic acid (C8). Experts have rated coconut oil as a great source for fatty acids. (1)

The process of producing FCO is called fractionation. It starts with hydrolysis, where water is added to the oil. This addition causes both the oil and water molecules to split into two parts. Then, this mix undergoes steam distillation, which then releases the final FCO product.  Simply put, fractionation separates fatty acids and triglycerides into various oil compounds.

FCO cannot freeze in the fridge and its shelf life is very long – basically infinite. It has almost no odor or taste, and is ideal for blending with essential oils as a carrier oil. When applied on the skin, it soothes problematic and dry skin and helps make the skin look smooth and shiny.

Why is FCO So Popular?

Coconut oil is amazing for skin care concerns of many types.

• Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) is a fatty carrier oil, not an essential oil. Thus, Fractionated Coconut Oil can be used at 100% strength, meaning you don’t have to dilute it with anything before applying it to the skin.
• In fact, it is one of the most popular carrier oils today. Blending with it allows for safe essential oils application through the skin.
• Further, FCO has an indefinite shelf life, making it a popular choice for roller bottle blends.
• It is very light and almost runny, not too thick. It definitely doesn’t feel ‘fatty’ when applied. This ease of use is definitely another contributor to its popularity. Apply it to the body like massage oil, moisturizing oil, or even in hair care to treat dry ends.

5 Ways of Using Fractionated Coconut Oil

FCO is a multi-talent when it comes to using it at home. Here are some of the top uses and benefits of FCO:

1. May help you lose weight: A main component of Fractionated Coconut Oil are MCTs (Medium Chain Triglycerides), which may help you lose weight because they reduce hunger and calorie intake, help you burn more fat, and are less likely to be stored as fat ¹.
2. For skin care. FCO is also used in acne treatments, ointments, lotions and other types of creams to treat skin dryness. It has antibacterial properties, which help in strengthening the skin barrier and fight many types of skin infections including acne, cellulitis, and athlete’s foot caused by bacteria or fungi.
3. As an aromatherapy carrier oil. For use in aromatherapy, you actually cannot use unrefined coconut oil since it sets like butter in the jar and can only be scooped out in chunks rather than a liquid version. Therefore, coconut oil is made available in the form of a fractionated carrier oil that is smooth, clear as water, with a light oily texture. FCO is very useful for aromatherapy applications such as massage, DIY recipes, or custom blends.
4. In cooking. Yes! Fractionated Coconut Oil can also be used for cooking since it does not go rancid easily and is very stable compared to other oils used for cooking. FCO is more expensive to use in cooking compared to virgin coconut oil because it involves a lot more processing to make.
5. To thin out other beauty products. Mixed FCO with different cosmetic products as an ingredient for smooth (or smoother) application. For example, if you have a hand cream that is too thick or pasty, thin it out with fractionated coconut oil.

Can I Ingest FCO?

Yes, you may use Fractionated Coconut Oil for culinary purposes as liquid coconut oil. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can serve as food supplements and you can take at least one or two tablespoons every day. Just be sure to buy your FCO from a trusted essential oils brand.

Coconut oil is used across multiple weight loss programs. Everyone desires products that can help them keep fit and maintain a good shape. Various research has postulated that FCO is rich in medium chain triglycerides and can help you lose weight naturally. The reason for this assumption is because MCTs cannot accumulate in your body system as fat. (2) Also, they aid in the oxidative processes of fats and calories. (3) Lastly, Fractionated Coconut Oil lessens the consumption of calories and quenches appetite. (4)

Many persons use Coconut Oil as edible oil since it is a versatile product. However, some users have complained of various digestive disorders including nausea, stomach aches, and diarrhea after taking an MCT based Ketogenic diet. Furthermore, allergic reactions to coconut oil have been identified with people experiencing hypersensitivity. (5)

Where to Buy Fractionated Coconut Oil

As with all things health and beauty, it pays to shop at trusted essential oil brands rather than chasing the cheapest price alone. It is important to use a high quality product on our bodies and skin to achieve desired results.

Current essential oil brands carry their own versions of Fractionated Coconut Oils. The most popular ones are from Plant Therapy, Edens Garden, and Rocky Mountain Oils. The following are some useful comparisons that will definitely help you when it comes to choosing which FCO brand suits your taste.+

Plant Therapy

Coconut Carrier Oil by Plant Therapy
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Plant Therapy’s Fractionated Coconut Oil comes in 2 oz and 4 oz open cap bottles, a 16 oz size that includes a pump, and then the 128 oz is contained in a gallon pail. The packaging is sleek and on the minimalist side. The product description is well written at the back of the bottle and helps you use and understand the product. You can use Plant Therapy’s FCO together with any single essential oils, synergies, rollerball blends, or in DIY projects.

Price:

• $9.49 for 2 oz
• $13.99 for 4 oz
• $17.99 for 16 oz

NOTE: If you prefer to shop organic, Plant Therapy also carries an Organic FCO here. Pricing will be slightly higher than for the regular kind.

Edens Garden

Edens Garden Fractionated Coconut Oil
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Edens Garden’s Fractionated Coconut Oil comes with a convenient glass pump bottle. This is a huge bonus, especially for things like massage and body care.

Labeling is presentable enough to give as a gift!

This odorless FCO is a light, easily absorbed carrier that is ideal for applications such as massage and oil-based perfumes. It has a non-greasy feel, and is quickly absorbed into the skin.

Price:

• $15.95 for 4oz

Rocky Mountain Oils

FCO from Rocky Mountain Oils is available in 2 sizes Shop Here

Rocky Mountain Oils’ Fractionated Coconut Oil comes in a beautifully designed and packaged bottle. At the 4 oz size, it is $1 pricier than its cousins from Plant Therapy or Edens Garden. The product is equipped with a open cap bottle in the 4 oz size, and a pump bottle in the 12 oz size.

Use FCO to create a custom blend of your favorite essential oils or as an all-natural makeup remover. Great for all skin types. Because of the long shelf life, FCO is ideal and often used in blends and recipes that are not used up quickly.

Price:

• $9.95 for 4 oz
• $19.95 for 12 oz

Which FCO Should You Buy?

• Plant Therapy is the only brand that offers an organic FCO. It is a tad cheaper compared to Eden’s Garden and Rocky Mountain Oils.
• Only Edens Garden offers a 4 oz size including a pump (Plant Therapy’s doesn’t have a pump, and Rocky Mountain Oils’ only has a pump in the 12 oz version).
• Rocky Mountain Oils has that perfect 12 oz bottle size available, which will save you more money in the long run compared to buying the small bottles.

Final Thoughts

If you’re just getting started with essential oils, FCO is a fantastic first carrier oil to choose because it’s very light, odorless, and versatile.

If you have any special skin care concerns, please consult your trusted dermatologist or certified aromatherapist. They may be able to help you run a skin patch test to rule out any allergies or sensitivities. It never hurts to be sure!

What do you think? Do you have any comments, experiences or notes about Fractionated Coconut Oil that you’d like to share with the community? Please post in the comments below!

References

¹ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fractionated-coconut-oil
² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296368
³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12975635
⁴ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25074387/
⁵ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10359903