Hi,

Before I start about MCT oil, I have a favor to ask. I’ve just started Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts and have ZERO followers, which is pretty sad, but I didn’t want to get friends and family who have no interest in Seb Derm to boost the numbers.

If you’re active on any of those platforms and want to show your support, would you follow me and help share some of my posts? Thanks heaps! 🙂  

MCT oil is fast gaining popularity as a natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis. Anecdotally, people have been using MCT oil to treat Seb derm and other skin conditions related to fungal growth with good results. You can slather it on as a body oil or ingest it like a supplement.

But is there actually any evidence that MCT oil is a good treatment for seborrheic dermatitis?

For those not in the know, MCT oil is usually derived from coconut oil. ‘MCT’ stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which are types of saturated fatty acids. You would have heard me say plenty of times that long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) feed Malassezia.

Well, MCTs don’t.

A lab study published in 1999 showed that MCT oil inhibits Malassezia growth, probably due to capric acid and caprylic acid. These fatty acids are two of the main MCTs in MCT oil and are known to be antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. They also have many other health benefits which I won’t go into today.

MCT oil is easily absorbed by the skin, giving it a lightweight, non-greasy feel. The oil is known to be non-irritating and hypo-allergenic, so even if you have sensitive skin, you should be fine.

However, if you have oily skin like me, you may find adding more oil to your face can make it feel greasy and dirty. It may also clog your pores.

Having said that, applying a few drops of MCT oil sparingly to your face may also decrease sebum production as your skin receptors detect that your skin is oily enough without it having to make more sebum.

Applying topical MCT oil regularly may improve your seb derm rash because it helps to soothe and calm the skin. It can also help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

Just remember, as with any oil, less is more. A few drops of MCT oil goes a long way.

Want to take a deep dive? You can read more about treating Seb Derm with MCT oil in this article. 

You can certainly buy small bottles of MCT Oil from beauty brands but they actually contain exactly the same oil as brands like Bulletproof who sell MCT oil for ingestion.

The only difference? You get more bang for your buck with a bigger bottle.

Check out Bulletproof MCT Oil. They have 25% off almost everything at the moment. Or use my code MADAMEWELL20 for an extra 20% off:

Q: Does ingesting MCT oil help with seborrheic dermatitis? 

Some research suggests that MCTs may have a variety of antimicrobial and antifungal effects. In fact, coconut oil’s ability to reduce yeast and bacterial growth is thought to be due to caprylic and capric acid (the MCTs found in MCT oil).

However, most of the research on MCTs and immune support were on cells in test tubes and in animals. High quality human studies are needed before stronger conclusions can be made.

IMHO, there is no harm ingesting MCT oil in reasonable amounts, especially if you’re trying to go keto, but there are many other supplements and good foods that you can ingest to boost your immune system and treat seborrheic dermatitis.

* Every week I answer one reader question. If you have any questions for me, just hit reply and ask away. Don’t worry, I never use your name or any other identifier.

I made a video on which facials are best for Seb Derm and even included a few DIY home ones you can easily whip up. Check it out:

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Stay healthy, happy, safe and rash-free!

Until next week,

Sharon G.