Monolaurin for Scalp and Hair: What the Research Shows
Monolaurin is a compound derived from coconut's lauric acid, and it's studied mainly for killing bacteria. We found no study of monolaurin on the scalp, on dandruff or on hair growth. The research that exists is about skin bacteria in lab dishes.
Here's what that research does and doesn't mean for your scalp.
I LOVE MY HAIR NOW
FullyVital hair serum and hair vitamins made tremendous improvements in my hair. I truly love my hair now.
Dorit S., 
Key Takeaways
- Monolaurin is a coconut-derived compound with antibacterial activity in lab studies.
- In a lab study of bacteria from children's skin infections, monolaurin was effective against all the Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus samples tested.
- In a 2025 study, monolaurin inhibited antibiotic-resistant S. aureus from people with atopic dermatitis without harming cultured skin cells.
- A review found no peer-reviewed evidence for monolaurin as a dietary supplement beyond being a nutrient.
What Is Monolaurin?
Monolaurin is a compound derived from lauric acid, a fatty acid in coconut oil. It's sold as a dietary supplement and studied for its effects on microbes.
Does Monolaurin Help Your Scalp Or Hair?
No study we found tested it on the scalp. It's reasonable to be curious because a healthy scalp matters for hair, but the monolaurin studies are of bacteria from other skin conditions, not dandruff or hair loss.
Using Monolaurin Thoughtfully
- Don't expect scalp results. It hasn't been tested for that.
- Be careful with supplements. There's little evidence on supplement use in people.
- Talk to your doctor if you have a scalp condition. A diagnosis matters more than an ingredient.
What The Research Shows
Lab Studies On Skin Bacteria
In samples from children and teens with infected skin conditions, 20 mg/ml of monolaurin showed 100% sensitivity in Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. These bacteria showed no resistance to it. It was a lab study, and the authors said further studies were needed before clinical trials (Carpo et al., 2007).
Resistant Bacteria In Atopic Dermatitis
In a 2025 study, S. aureus swabbed from 60 people with atopic dermatitis included antibiotic-resistant isolates. Monolaurin inhibited them at a concentration of 2 µg/mL without cytotoxicity to cultured epidermal and dermal cells (Laowansiri et al., 2025).
What A Review Of The Evidence Found
A review of the clinical use of monolaurin found many articles on its antimicrobial effects in vitro, but only three peer-reviewed papers showing antimicrobial effects in humans, and those were for intravaginal and intraoral use. It found no peer-reviewed evidence for clinical use of monolaurin as a human dietary supplement other than as a nutrient (Barker et al., 2019).
See also: Uva Ursi Extract: Skin, Scalp & What the Research Shows · Clogged Hair Follicles: What the Research Really Says About Your Scalp
Frequently Asked Questions
Does monolaurin help hair or scalp health?
We found no study of monolaurin on hair or the scalp. The research is on skin bacteria in the lab.
Is monolaurin safe?
In the 2025 study it wasn't toxic to cultured skin cells. For use in people as a supplement, a review found no peer-reviewed clinical evidence beyond its role as a nutrient. Talk to your doctor first.
Can monolaurin replace my usual hair care products?
There's no evidence it can. It has not been tested on the scalp.
References
- Carpo BG, Verallo-Rowell VM, Kabara J. Novel antibacterial activity of monolaurin compared with conventional antibiotics against organisms from skin infections: an in vitro study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007. PubMed
- Laowansiri M, Suwanchote S, Wannigama DL, et al. Monolaurin inhibits antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients with atopic dermatitis. Sci Rep. 2025. PubMed
- Barker LA, Bakkum BW, Chapman C. The Clinical Use of Monolaurin as a Dietary Supplement: A Review of the Literature. J Chiropr Med. 2019. PubMed
Discover The Key To Youthful, Lustrous LocksAt Fully Vital, our commitment is to transform your hair care experience with our expertly crafted hair growth solutions. Unlock the potential to not only halt but also reverse hair aging signs. Become one of the many who have changed how they care for their hair. Here's what makes our products unique:
Rediscover the thick, vibrant hair you were meant to have. With Fully Vital, unlock a level of hair vitality that mirrors your inner spirit and zest. Revitalize Your Hair Today! No need to wait for another hair to thin or endure another day of dull locks. With Fully Vital, tap into the fountain of youth for your hair and enter a realm where aging hair can be a thing of the past. Give your hair the strength and support it needs to flourish. Experience the Fully Vital difference – because your hair deserves it. |
Read more
Flaxseed and Lignans for Hair: What the Research Shows
What flaxseed and its lignans contain, what a skin trial found, how to eat flaxseed, and why there is no evidence yet that flax helps hair.
Read more
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) for Hair: Glutathione, Oxidative Stress & What to Know
How NAC raises glutathione, why oxidative stress matters for hair aging and early graying, what clinical research shows and how to take NAC safely.
Read more
