How Can Monolaurin Support Skin And Hair Health?

📝 Medically reviewed by Dr. Patricia Shelton

🔍 Last updated July 15, 2024

📚 17 citations

📖 6 minute read 

About the Author: 

Dr. Patricia Shelton, MD, has been a medical communicator and educator since 2014. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, both from the University of Washington in Seattle.

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According to a 2018 study in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology & Venerology, 29.4% of adults have xerotic (dry) skin. ¹ Coconut oil, the highest natural source of lauric acid, has been shown to help moisturize and hydrate dry skin. ²

Monolaurin is a derivative of lauric acid with many medicinal, cosmetic, and skincare applications. This highly-researched natural ingredient may support skin, digestive, and immune health and is often used in dietary supplements for easy consumption. ‡

Jump To:

• What is Monolaurin?
• Monolaurin for Skin & Hair
• Monolaurin Supplements
• Final Thoughts
• References

Keep reading to learn about how monolaurin can enhance your skin and hair health.

See Related: What Are Botanicals And How Can They Support Health?

What is Monolaurin?

Monolaurin is a chemical found in high concentrations in coconut oil as well as human breast milk. Around 50% of the fatty acid content of coconut oil is lauric acid, a chemical that is converted to monolaurin in the body. ³

Monolaurin also goes by the name of glycerol monolaurate or glyceryl laurate. This naturally occurring compound is a monoglyceride, meaning its chemical structure is that of a single molecule of glycerol attached to a fatty acid. ⁴ ⁵

Monolaurin is typically made via a process known as esterification that combines lauric acid with glycerol, resulting in a compound with promising applications for health and beyond. Glycerol, or glycerin, is a colorless and odorless compound found naturally in the body. It binds to fatty acids in order to store them or to convert them to other compounds and acts as a humectant, a substance that holds water in tissues to hydrate them. Lauric acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in sources like human breast milk and coconut oil. ⁶

Monolaurin has a variety of applications and uses, including:

• Dietary supplement. Monolaurin is a key ingredient in immune-support dietary supplements, like the Premium Monolaurin 600mg capsules from Natural Cure Labs. ‡
• Food production. Monolaurin is used as a food additive, emulsifier, and preservative in some processed foods. ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰
• Manufacturing. Monolaurin is often used in manufactured goods, particularly skin care products like deodorants, detergents, and cosmetics. ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰

Bonus: How Does The Innate Immune System Work?

Monolaurin for Skin & Hair

Monolaurin may support skin and hair health when applied topically or taken as a supplement. ‡

Virgin coconut oil is made by cold-pressing fresh coconut meat, which prevents the loss of vitamin E, vitamin A, polyphenols, and other nutrients. These micronutrients are necessary for the hair and skin health. ¹¹ ¹² By contrast, refined coconut oil generally loses many nutrients during the refining process, which may use heat, chemicals, or a combination of these.

Coconut oil, a rich source of monolaurin, has many dermatological applications and has been used topically on the skin and hair for centuries across a variety of cultures. It has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. ¹³

Monolaurin may also possess properties that can benefit skin and hair health. The natural immune-supporting properties of monolaurin can assist in overall well-being, which is critical to skin and hair health. Studies also show that monolaurin exhibits immune-regulating effects in lab settings, which can support skin health. ¹⁴ ¹⁵ ¹⁶ ¹⁷

Monolaurin Supplements

Since 2015, Natural Cure Labs has specialized in crafting high-quality supplements with premium botanicals. Our collection of award-winning monolaurin supplements is made with coconut-derived glycerol monolaurate and is non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan.

Our monolaurin-based dietary supplements include the following products:

• Premium Monolaurin 600mg
• Monolaurin Extra Strength 800mg
• L-Lysine + Monolaurin 600mg

Our Clean Label monolaurin products are designed to support a healthy immune system and contain no synthetic colors, additives, or preservatives, only consisting of naturally derived ingredients that support overall wellness. ‡

Final Thoughts

Monolaurin has many applications in cosmetics and medicine and is often taken as a supplement to support overall wellness and immune system health. Research shows that this natural fat has the potential to support skin and hair health.

Keep Reading: How Can I Increase My White Blood Cell Count Naturally?

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References

1. Augustin, M., Körber, K. A., Wilsmann-Theis, D., Itschert, G., Staubach-Renz, P., Maul, T-J., & Zander, N. (2018). Prevalence, predictors and comorbidity of dry skin in the general population. Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology & Venerology, Volume 33, Issue 1, January 2019, Pages 147-150. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15157
2. Agero, A. L., & Verallo-Rowell, V. M. (2004). A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug, 15(3), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2004.04006
3. McCarty, M. F., & DiNicolantonio, J. J. (2016). Lauric acid-rich medium-chain triglycerides can substitute for other oils in cooking applications and may have limited pathogenicity. Open heart, 3(2), e000467. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2016-000467
4. Tangwatcharin, P., & Khopaibool, P. (2012). Activity of virgin coconut oil, lauric acid or monolaurin in combination with lactic acid against Staphylococcus aureus. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health, 43(4), 969–985.
5. Clarke, N. M., & May, J. T. (2000). Effect of antimicrobial factors in human milk on rhinoviruses and milk-borne cytomegalovirus in vitro. Journal of medical microbiology, 49(8), 719–723. https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-49-8-719
6. Miao, S., & Li, X. (2021). Enzymatic esterification of lauric acid to give monolaurin in a microreactor. Impact Factor: 1.0 / 5-Year Impact Factor: 1.1. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747519820977164
7. Gil, D., Shuvaev, S., Frank-Kamenetskii, A., Reukov, V., Gross, C., & Vertegel, A. (2017). Novel Antibacterial Coating on Orthopedic Wires To Eliminate Pin Tract Infections. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 61(7), e00442-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.00442-17
8. Zhang, H., Wei, H., Cui, Y., Zhao, G., & Feng, F. (2009). Antibacterial interactions of monolaurin with commonly used antimicrobials and food components. Journal of food science, 74(7), M418–M421. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01300.x
9. Dufour, M., Manson, J. M., Bremer, P. J., Dufour, J. P., Cook, G. M., & Simmonds, R. S. (2007). Characterization of monolaurin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis. Applied and environmental microbiology, 73(17), 5507–5515. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01013-07
10. Thormar, H., Hilmarsson, H., & Bergsson, G. (2006). Stable concentrated emulsions of the 1-monoglyceride of capric acid (monocaprin) with microbicidal activities against the food-borne bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli. Applied and environmental microbiology, 72(1), 522–526. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.72.1.522-526.2006
11. VanBuren, C. A., & Everts, H. B. (2022). Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update. Nutrients, 14(14), 2952. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142952
12. Pincemail, J., & Meziane, S. (2022). On the Potential Role of the Antioxidant Couple Vitamin E/Selenium Taken by the Oral Route in Skin and Hair Health. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 11(11), 2270. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112270
13. Parwe, S., & Kuchewar, V. (2022). A narrative review on use of virgin coconut oil in dermatology. Journal of Indian System of Medicine 10(2):86-89. DOI:10.4103/jism.jism_34_22
14. Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
15. Preuss, H. G., Echard, B., Enig, M., Brook, I., & Elliott, T. B. (2005). Minimum inhibitory concentrations of herbal essential oils and monolaurin for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Molecular and cellular biochemistry, 272(1-2), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-005-6604-1
16. Esquenazi, D., Wigg, M. D., Miranda, M. M., Rodrigues, H. M., Tostes, J. B., Rozental, S., da Silva, A. J., & Alviano, C. S. (2002). Antimicrobial and antiviral activities of polyphenolics from Cocos nucifera Linn. (Palmae) husk fiber extract. Research in microbiology, 153(10), 647–652. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0923-2508(02)01377-3
17. Carpo, B. G., Verallo-Rowell, V. M., & Kabara, J. (2007). Novel antibacterial activity of monolaurin compared with conventional antibiotics against organisms from skin infections: an in vitro study. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 6(10), 991–998.

‡ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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