Barlean's Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from the Virgin Islands

Amanda: This product smells so good. I use daily when getting out of the shower! The thing I love most about this coconut oil is it soaks in well, it doesn’t leave your skin oily, moisturizes perfectly and leaves a nice light scent. Such a great deal for how long it will last as a little goes a long way!

United States on Sep 12, 2023

Ellen: Coconut Oil is so good for your body, skin, and health. This brand is the best tasting.

United States on Jun 09, 2023

Stoney: To a substantial extent you can use Barlean's Coconut Oil as a butter substitute. It has more flavor than olive oil and without the bitterness and "grassy" overtones of ordinary olive oil. I'm an olive oil fan, consuming a quart of premium oil every two-three weeks. But recently I've discovered that there are situations when there are other alternatives. One of which is truly premium boutique olive oils, which are vastly different from ordinary olive oil, but are VERY expensive.

THE FLAVOR OF COCONUT OIL COMPARED TO BUTTER
> Coconut oil a faint coconut flavor, which I first though would be objectionable in some cases. But I haven't found it so. My only previous experience with coconut oil has been the smell of oil women use on their skin and hair---which to me smelt stale and unpleasant. The Barlean's smells and tastes "fresh".
> Coconut oil adds the "body" of butter, but lacks the "animal fat" flavor of butter. The distinction (of "animal fat flavor") is very subtle, and most folks wouldn't notice. Most people would say that pure lard (or even unsalted butter) has no flavor, because the sensation of greasiness overwhelms the perception of flavor---but there is...

United States on Mar 30, 2014

Ms C: I bought this generously sized tub nearly a year ago and I can't believe I'm only just past half way! I picked it over all of the others because it is raw, fresh, extra virgin - just what you want if you're interested in using coconut oil for your hair or skin.

This was an absolute miracle for my skin. I had the most sore, painful, itchy rash under my arm from a deoderant allergy for 2 years since absolutely nothing got rid of it. I bought numerous prescription creams, took antibiotics, talked to pharmacists - nothing helped. I tried this after hearing a suggestion online. The rash improved unbelieveably within 2 days and after a week there was no sign of it at all. This is truly a miracle product!

I'd also recommend using it on the lips as well as hard skin on your knees, elbows and feet. It makes an excellent hair mask to leave in several hours or overnight before washing. Basically, smother it all over your body and you can't go far wrong.

Everyone needs a tub of this in their bathroom - it's replaced all of the medical creams and lotions in my cabinet and works wonders for a very reasonable price!

United Kingdom on Nov 16, 2013

PC Growler: I had read many good things about coconut oil being beneficial for the brain etc. Previously I had been putting MCT oil in my protein shakes with no problems. Anyway I thought I'd move on to pure Coconut Oil and bought this product. I started putting a one table spoon of melted oil into my shakes and was having 3 shakes a day. All was well for a few days until I had to attend a funeral, during which I noticed that my tongue had swollen up on both sides. I put it down to stress and continued with the shakes. I still had the painful, swollen tongue for a week or so and then decided to visit the doctor. She was convinced that it was an allergic reaction to something. In the end it was decided that the only change to my diet had been to add coconut oil to it and so I stopped. Sure enough after some anti- histamines and a few days of shakes with no coconut oil, my to tongue went down to normal. I looked on the Internet and saw many reports of allergic reactions to coconut oil. So if you decide to try this or any similar product, then watch out for any strange and unusual side effects. Most people have no problems, but worth being aware that although it is a natural product, coconut oil...

United Kingdom on May 26, 2013

Lucy: I've been using Barlean's Coconut Oil for 6 mths to help restore my dull fine and thin hair, with miraculous results! My hairdresser has commented on how much lustre, body and thicker growth I am getting, and asked what I've been doing differently. Having suffered from thinning after medical treatment, this has really helped me restore my crowning glory back to how it was as a teenager (now in mid 30's).

Due to the high omega oils, vit E and lauric acid content of coconut oil, it makes for an excellent deep conditioning / anti dandruff treatment to help restore damaged hair. Coconut oil is the only oil which is actually proven to penetrate the hair shaft. By doing so it binds proteins to the hair and halts 'fatigue' of water constantly being absorbed and dried out of your hair through washing/blow drying. As a deep conditioning treatment I'd say this is the best I've ever used! (Although, I would like to add that there is absolutely no scientific evidence that this helps regrow hair as a hair loss treatment, just helps improve your current growth - those suffering from hair loss should seek medical advise and treatment such as minoxidil).

To get the results I have, I...

United Kingdom on Jan 19, 2013

JMK: I ordered this yesterday and it arrived today despite me choosing 3-5 day delivery - Am very impressed!!

It is the first coconut oil I have used that actually smells of coconuts. Other ones I have used have no smell at all. I have tried it spread on toast as suggested and it was lovely with a mild coconut taste. I tried eating a spoonful and it wasn't too bad, a bit of an aquired taste, more due to the texture, rather than the taste which is ok. I'm sure I can get used to it. Tried it in my coffee and while it tasted quite pleasant, I didn't like the greasy oil on the surface, so I think I'll stick to having it on toast to get my daily fix. I'm looking forward to using it in baking and cooking and will update when I've tried it a bit more.

I think I'll continue to use the cheaper coconut oil, from my local ethnic store, for hair and skin care and will save this Barleans one for consumption as it is about twice the price of the one I was using. I wanted a better tasting one to eat and Barleans is the best tasting one I have tried so far.

Update 06.03.13
Have started putting a desertspoon of this in my porridge and it is absolutely delicious. Makes the...

United Kingdom on Sep 21, 2012

Bear: This oil is a bit weird..... I mean, I was aware that it may not be raw but I saw the words 'extra virgin' and 'organic' and thought it would be really natural. When you open the jar and smell it, it smells very mild but at least you can smell it (coconoil is milder).
When you touch it it looks a bit like gel mixed with Vaseline (weird) and it's a bit gloopy... but its not thick or sticky like that and it melts in your hand straight away. What was also weird is that when you put it on your skin, it smells slightly more coconutty than it does in the jar? But that's not a bad thing, just weird! So yeah. The texture is only nice once its melted though.
I'm just a bit skeptical about the realness of this product as if its organic and extra virgin i dont understand how it can still seem slightly processed. So, if you like the real stuff i think you should stray away from this but if you want a mild smelling product that wont go rancid after a few days of application then this might be more suitable. But I think i'll just stick to the raw stuff in future -won't be buying this again.

United Kingdom on May 10, 2012

Linda G. Shelnutt: This recently redeemed saturated fat is an unusually elegant offering. Liquid above 78 degrees, when below that temperature this exotic substance solidifies into a white, wax-like, creamy fat which for my tastes is even more versatile, flavorful, and healthful in culinary concoctions than coconut milk [though I LOVE everything about coconut].

Since other reviews have effectively detailed health benefits, varieties of uses, and comparisons of brands, I'll work another angle and design a recipe specifically for the assets of this oil as my experience with it conjures...

Imagine melting this creamy solid as you might do with dry chunks of fresh, unsalted butter dropped easily into a chef's stainless steel [or cast iron] skillet. After the coconut lard has melted, coating the pan with its clear, wavering liquid radiating from mildly searing heat [not over 350 degrees], carefully sizzle in a half-dozen large, cleaned prawns and a fresh salmon steak. Prior to hitting the pan, the sea morsels should have been eased from a state of cool moisture into a warmer, drier presentation, to avoid spattering when placed into the heated oil, and to avoid cooling the oil to a...

United States on Sep 29, 2011