What Oil Is Most Like Coconut Oil for Different Uses?

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

Coconut oil is a versatile ingredient prized for its unique fatty acid profile, including high lauric acid content. However, finding a suitable replacement depends on the specific application. The answer to what oil is most like coconut oil is not a single one, but rather a few key contenders depending on whether you're baking, cooking, or using it topically.

Quick Summary

Identifying the best coconut oil substitute requires considering the purpose. Top contenders include palm kernel oil for chemical similarity, shea butter for skincare, and specific neutral vegetable oils for cooking and baking versatility.

Key Points

Palm Kernel Oil: Chemically, this is the closest analogue to coconut oil due to its high lauric acid content and solid form, suitable for commercial products.
Shea Butter: The best topical substitute for skincare and hair care, as it's a deep moisturizer, non-comedogenic, and anti-inflammatory, unlike coconut oil.
Babassu Oil: A superior non-comedogenic alternative for skin and hair with a fatty acid composition similar to coconut oil.
Avocado Oil: An excellent liquid substitute for high-heat cooking and baking, offering a neutral flavor and high smoke point.
Butter or Vegan Butter: Perfect solid fat replacements for baking recipes, providing similar texture but a distinct flavor.
Consider the Application: The 'best' substitute depends entirely on whether you need a solid fat, a neutral liquid oil, or a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

The Chemical Match: Palm Kernel and Babassu Oil

For applications where a high concentration of lauric acid and a solid-at-room-temperature texture are paramount, palm kernel oil and babassu oil are the most chemically similar alternatives to coconut oil. Palm kernel oil is derived from the seed of the oil palm fruit, while babassu oil is extracted from the nut of the babassu palm, a native Amazonian plant. Both share a fatty acid profile rich in lauric acid, giving them similar properties for soap making, cosmetics, and certain commercial food products. However, widespread palm oil production is associated with significant deforestation, leading many to seek more sustainable options like babassu oil or responsibly sourced alternatives.

Functional Alternatives for Cooking and Baking

In the kitchen, the best substitute often depends on the recipe's requirements for flavor, consistency, and heat tolerance. The versatility of coconut oil means different replacements are needed for different cooking methods.

For a Solid Fat

For baking recipes that rely on solid fat for texture, such as pie crusts or certain pastries, butter or vegan butter are excellent swaps. Butter provides a richer flavor, while vegan butter offers a dairy-free option. Ghee, a clarified butter, also works well and provides a nutty flavor. These options can typically be used in a 1:1 ratio. For a vegan alternative that maintains the solid state, cocoa butter is another excellent choice, especially for chocolate applications where it can help set the final product.

For a Neutral Flavor and High-Heat Cooking

When a neutral-tasting oil is needed for sautéing, frying, or roasting, several liquid oils perform well as a 1:1 replacement:

Avocado Oil: With its very high smoke point (520°F/270°C), avocado oil is ideal for all high-heat cooking applications and imparts a mild, buttery flavor.
Canola or Vegetable Oil: These affordable and widely available oils are good all-purpose alternatives with neutral flavors and high smoke points.
Sunflower Oil: A versatile, neutral-tasting option suitable for high-heat cooking and baking.

For a Lower-Fat Baking Option

In some baking scenarios, unsweetened applesauce can replace coconut oil to reduce fat content. This adds moisture but may alter the texture, sometimes resulting in a spongier feel. A common approach is to substitute half of the oil with applesauce to balance moisture and texture.

Substitutes for Skincare and Beauty

When it comes to topical applications, the choice of oil depends on skin type and desired benefits. Coconut oil can be comedogenic, meaning it clogs pores, making some alternatives better for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Shea Butter: The Top Topical Alternative

For many skincare uses, shea butter is a superior substitute. It's solid at room temperature but melts easily on contact with skin. Unlike coconut oil, it is non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. Shea butter is rich in moisturizing fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and provide deep, long-lasting hydration. It is particularly effective for treating eczema, psoriasis, and minimizing the appearance of scars.

Other Beneficial Skincare Oils

Jojoba Oil: Mimics the skin's natural sebum, making it excellent for balancing oil production and moisturizing without feeling greasy.
Argan Oil: A non-greasy, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and improves skin elasticity.
Sweet Almond Oil: A gentle, vitamin-rich oil ideal for softening and calming sensitive or dry skin.

Comparison Table: Coconut Oil vs. Best Substitutes


Feature	Coconut Oil	Palm Kernel Oil	Shea Butter	Avocado Oil	Canola Oil	Babassu Oil
Best For	Cooking, baking, general skincare	Soap, cosmetics, industrial fats	Skincare, deep moisturizing	High-heat cooking, salad dressings	High-heat cooking, baking	Non-comedogenic skincare, soap
Form at Room Temp.	Solid	Solid	Solid, balmy	Liquid	Liquid	Solid
Flavor	Nutty, sweet (virgin); Neutral (refined)	Neutral	Mild, nutty	Mild, buttery	Neutral	Mild, nutty
Comedogenic	Yes (can clog pores)	Variable	No	No	No	No
Key Properties	High lauric acid, MCTs	High lauric acid, fast energy source	Anti-inflammatory, non-comedogenic	High smoke point, monounsaturated fats	Affordable, high smoke point	High lauric acid, non-comedogenic
Sustainability Concerns	Moderate	High	Moderate (requires ethical sourcing)	Low	Low to Moderate	Low

Choosing the Right Coconut Oil Substitute

With so many potential alternatives, the decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs. If you're a home cook needing a high-heat, neutral-tasting liquid oil, avocado or canola oil is a practical choice. For a plant-based solid fat for baking, vegan butter or cocoa butter works well. In skincare, if pore-clogging is a concern, shea butter or babassu oil offer superior moisturizing benefits without the risk. By considering the function and properties of each oil, you can find the perfect replacement for coconut oil every time.

Conclusion: No Single Match, But Plenty of Options

No single oil is an exact match for all of coconut oil's diverse properties, but thankfully, there is a wide range of suitable substitutes. For the closest chemical composition and solid-state texture, palm kernel and babassu oil are the top candidates. However, for most everyday applications, the functional replacements like shea butter in skincare or avocado oil in high-heat cooking are more effective and better suited to the task. Understanding the nuances of these alternatives empowers you to make informed decisions in the kitchen and for your body. For further reading on sustainable oil sourcing, check out this guide on palm oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

For baking that requires a solid fat, unsalted butter is the most similar substitute in texture and can be used in a 1:1 ratio. For a vegan option, use a high-quality vegan butter.

Shea butter is the best non-comedogenic substitute for the face. Unlike coconut oil, it won't clog pores and offers powerful moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Yes, you can use olive oil as a 1:1 substitute for coconut oil in cooking, especially for savory dishes and low-to-medium heat sautéing. However, it has a distinct flavor that may not suit sweet recipes.

Avocado oil and refined sunflower oil are excellent alternatives for deep frying due to their neutral flavor and high smoke points. Canola oil is another affordable option for this purpose.

No, they are not the same, though they are both tropical 'lauric' oils with high lauric acid content. Coconut oil comes from the fruit of the coconut palm, while palm kernel oil comes from the seed of the oil palm tree. They have similar chemical properties but are sourced differently.

Babassu oil, sourced from the babassu palm in the Amazon, is a highly regarded sustainable alternative. It has a similar fatty acid profile to coconut oil, is non-comedogenic, and has a smaller environmental footprint than industrial palm oil.

Shea butter is typically thicker, tackier, and balmier than coconut oil. It melts at a higher temperature, so it takes more effort to liquefy on the skin, but provides a more heavy-duty, long-lasting moisturizing effect.