lauric acid

noun

lau·ric acid | \ ˈlȯr-ik-

, ˈlär-\

Definition of lauric acid

: a crystalline fatty acid C₁₂H₂₄O₂ found especially in coconut oil and used chiefly in making soaps and esters

Examples of lauric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The most common fat is lauric acid, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. — Yerin Kim, Seventeen, "Should You Use Coconut Oil for Your Acne?," 3 June 2019 Well, actually, this lauric acid only makes up 50 percent of the fats found in coconut oil. — Yerin Kim, Seventeen, "Should You Use Coconut Oil for Your Acne?," 3 June 2019 Don’t Use It to Cure Your Zits Coconut oil has gotten major buzz in the last year as miracle zit fixer, thanks to the fact that its naturally high in lauric acid, an anti-microbial and anti-fungal fatty acid. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "Before You Put Coconut Oil on Your Face, Read This," 7 June 2018 Theoretically, the properties in coconut oil should be beneficial to acne—vitamin E and linoleic acid soothe irritated skin, while lauric acid kills bacteria—but coconut oil hasn’t actually been shown to improve acne in any studies. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "Before You Put Coconut Oil on Your Face, Read This," 7 June 2018 Still, people do miss their unhealthy fats and, in the latest rage, many have latched onto coconut oil in the mistaken belief that its main highly saturated fat, lauric acid, and other nutrients can enhance health rather than undermine it. — Jane E. Brody, New York Times, "Good Fats, Bad Fats," 29 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lauric acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.