Coconut oil is a natural oil made from the fatty acids of the fruit of the coconut palm tree. This oil has been used in Southeast Asian and African countries for generations to improve overall hair and scalp health. In recent years, coconut oil has become increasingly popular in Western cultures as an ingredient in hair treatments and natural hair products.
From preventing protein loss to moisturizing hair, coconut oil has many scientifically backed benefits. Coconut oil is most commonly used as a hair oil or leave-in conditioner. It can also be used as an oil for textured hair and as a pre-wash (before shampooing) for fine or straight hair to add shine and prevent frizz.
Coconut oil offers many benefits to your hair and scalp. Coconut oil contains about 52 to 85 percent medium-chain fatty acids, or MCFAs (the molecules that make up fat in food), including lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. The chemical makeup of the fatty acids in coconut oil helps protect the hair and allows the oil to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft (the visible part of the hair that emerges from the scalp). This strengthens hair and improves scalp health.
After using coconut oil, you may experience the following benefits:
- Moist Hair: Studies have shown that coconut oil seals moisture in the hair shaft. Oils provide slippage (when hair can easily flow between your fingers without tangling) and add softness to your hair. Coconut oil also improves manageability when detangling or styling your hair.
- Stronger Hair: Coconut oil strengthens the thickness of hair fibers by protecting hair from hygral fatigue, which causes hair to swell and shrink repeatedly due to excessive conditioning.
- Healthy Scalp: Coconut oil reduces moisture loss in the scalp and increases hydration. It may also help reduce dandruff, a skin condition that causes flaking of the scalp skin.
- Prevents protein loss. Studies have shown that coconut oil is best for reducing protein loss in hair compared to mineral oil and sunflower oil.
Coconut oil is primarily used on hair as a pre-wash, leave-in conditioner, or overnight mask. Here's how to apply coconut oil to your hair for each method:
- Pre-wash: Lightly apply coconut oil directly to the hair and scalp for straight or wavy hair before shampooing. After shampooing, massage the oil intensively into the mid-lengths and ends of your hair for at least 5 minutes or overnight before rinsing with water. For curly or curly hair, apply a little coconut oil to your scalp or use it as a hot oil treatment before shampooing.
- Leave-in conditioner: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to the mid-lengths and ends of all hair. Use your fingers to carefully comb or detangle. Do not rinse.
- Hair Mask: To relieve dryness and minimize frizz, apply a small amount of coconut oil to the lengths of your hair (covering the hair). Sleep with the mask on your hair overnight or for a few hours during the day and then rinse.
Coconut Oil Selection
Virgin coconut oil is the healthiest type of coconut oil because it does not contain any additional chemicals. Cold-pressed coconut oil is a minimally processed option you can purchase when organic, pure coconut oil is not available. Avoid refined, bleached, or deodorized coconut oil. The health benefits of coconut oil are minimized when nutrients are removed during the refining process.
What hair types is coconut oil best for?
Coconut oil may feel a little heavier on your hair than other oils. Its thickness makes it ideal for hydrating thicker hair and tighter curls or coils that tend to get drier. Pure coconut oil can reduce the weight of straight or fine hair. If you have fine or medium-length hair, try a lightweight leave-in conditioner with coconut oil instead of using it alone.
To enhance the potential benefits of coconut oil for your hair, here are some common hair care methods and tips you can add to your hair care routine.
- When applying and distributing coconut oil or other products to your hair, use a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush instead of a harsh brush to prevent breakage.
- Dry your hair naturally whenever possible and reduce your use of heat tools to once a week or less.
- Use conditioner after shampooing to keep your hair moisturized.
- Gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and let it run throughout your hair as you rinse, rather than applying it directly to the entire hair.
In rare cases, you may be allergic or sensitive to coconut oil. Check for allergies by performing a patch test by applying a small amount of coconut oil to an inconspicuous area of the scalp (such as the neck or back). Then monitor your skin for signs of irritation, such as redness, hives, or itching. If coconut oil causes any of these symptoms, stop using it immediately.
Coconut oil is a natural oil that can provide benefits when applied to the hair and scalp. Oil helps maintain scalp health by moisturizing and strengthening hair. You can use natural coconut oil as a hot oil treatment, leave-in conditioner, or as an ingredient in your favorite hair care products.
Coconut oil may work differently on different hair types, so feel free to experiment with different ways to use it.