How to use MCT oil for seborrheic dermatitis

What does MCT mean on the bottle?

MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides, which is quite a formal introduction for oil. Names associated with this ingredient include caprylic/capric triglyceride and fractionated coconut oil, which gives one ingredient enough names for a roll call. Ingredient identity is separate from approval as a treatment. A longer ingredient name does not turn an oil into a medicine. Those names alone are not a reason to choose one bottle over another for seborrheic dermatitis.2

Does MCT oil control the yeast?

Malassezia is a yeast that normally lives on skin and plays a role in seborrheic dermatitis. The yeast breaks down fats in sebum, the skin's natural oil, releasing fatty acids linked to inflammation. That explains why oils attract attention, but it does not give MCT oil a proven antifungal role. Claims that a particular MCT formula will starve the yeast or clear a flare remain uncertain.34

Treatment aims to control symptoms, not sterilize the scalp. Malassezia remained present after successful treatment in a clinical trial. Seborrheic dermatitis also involves more than yeast alone, and greater oiliness does not consistently mean more severe disease. An oil's relationship with yeast is therefore not enough to predict whether the rash will improve.5

What should your routine look like?

1. 1Choose treatment for the affected area. Antifungal shampoos treat the scalp; antifungal creams are options for the face and body. MCT oil should not take the place of either.
2. 2For the scalp, use dandruff shampoo as directed. Straight or wavy hair often needs treatment 2 to 3 times weekly; curly or tightly coiled hair often needs it once weekly. Leave the shampoo on for the directed contact time before rinsing.
3. 3For facial skin, cleanse once or twice daily with a cleanser without soap. Ketoconazole or ciclopirox cream is commonly used once daily for 2 to 4 weeks. Follow the directions for your exact medicine rather than borrowing a shampoo's schedule.
4. 4After symptoms settle, maintain control rather than stopping automatically. Weekly dandruff shampoo is often used to prevent scalp flares, while persistent facial symptoms need an individual treatment plan.

Do not let oil replace scalp cleansing

For Afro textured hair, moisturizing the hair between washes and treating the scalp are separate needs. Hair care and scalp treatment are separate jobs, even when the bottles live in the same shower, which makes the shower shelf a shared office. Wash when there is excess product buildup or unwanted oiliness: buildup can irritate the scalp and worsen seborrheic dermatitis. Washing too frequently can also dry the hair and scalp, so adding oil is not a substitute for choosing a workable wash schedule.7

When should you get medical help?

Have an uncertain diagnosis checked before treating an itchy, flaky rash as seborrheic dermatitis; psoriasis and other conditions can overlap. If correctly used treatment is not controlling symptoms, a dermatologist can adjust treatment or add medication for inflammation. Ketoconazole can cause burning, stinging, or irritation. For prescription ciclopirox shampoo specifically, stop and contact your dermatologist if the scalp becomes irritated, or contact them if there is no improvement after 4 weeks.6