Supermodel Miranda Kerr eats 1 tablespoon of it every day for better digestion. Superstar Emma Stone uses it too for maintaining gorgeous skin. Numerous celebrities swear by this product and you can eat it too, apply it to your skin, swish around your mouth (as mouthwash), and put on your hair – the wonderful uses of coconut oil. Find out why there are obsessed with this oil and why you should be too.
Coconut Oil is a highly nourishing oil with hundreds of uses and one of them is for getting a gorgeous crown of glory. Also called the copra oil, it is an edible oil obtained from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts reaped from coconut farms. For many years, it was shunned as a healthy ingredient due to the high saturated fat in it (92%) but the stigma was invalidated as time goes by and scientific research proved it to be a beneficial element. Recently the World Health Organization declared it so but still with regulation.
For this article, we will focus on what the coconut oil can do for one of your most prized possessions, your hair. When used correctly, it can do miracles to any type of locks. The Lauric acid found in coconut oil can help retain protein in your hair to avoid hair loss and maintain healthy locks. This acid is also anti-bacterial so your hair will be protected from the harmful elements you have to face every single day.
[go_pricing id=”amazon_5b1_5bb05e9233c9e”]
Top 10 Coconut Oils for the Hair
There are literally thousands of products available which contains coconut oil for your hair so we have saved you the time in researching and rounded up the 10 best coconut oil for the hair:
Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Viva Naturals’ Coconut Oil is extracted from fresh and handpicked coconuts and has passed the USDA requirements for being certified organic and extra virgin. It can also be used for various reasons ranging from cooking, your skin care routine or for your hair. The coconuts are grown in the tropical country of the Philippines. You can tell the quality would be good because the country has good soil which contains a mix of soil and volcanic ash. Only within a few hours after picking, the coconuts are then cold pressed to retain freshness and nutrients.
For a healthier looking and stronger hair, it is recommended to mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and apply it directly to the roots. You can let it sit for an hour before showering or leave it on as a mask overnight.
Pros
- Has silky and smooth texture and tropical coconut flavor
- Has 2 years shelf life
- Good for cooking, hair mask, skin moisturizer and for oil pulling
- 100% certified organic and pure
- Non-GMO and free of pesticides
Cons
- Users say some bottles do not seal tight
- Might clog pores on face, body or even scalp
Nature’s Way Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Nature’s Way is one of the pioneers and is already a household name for herbal supplements. They have over 600 products and this one is their organic extra virgin olive oil. It has been certified organic and non-GMO. This is mainly for cooking and baking but since it is pure, it can also act as an addition to your skin and hair care routine.
Customers love the multi-use of this product and the effect on the hair health as well. They notice livelier bounce, fuller growth and stronger or less prone to breakages. Their hair is shinier, smoother and softer.
Pros
- Helps to increase metabolism and energy levels when taken orally too
- Has nice coconut scent ideal for applying topically or on hair
- Deep hair conditioner
Cons
- Not the best flavor of coconut oil – it is too light
- It is certified organic but not really certified as extra virgin
- Comes in a plastic container which is not environmentally friendly
Nutiva Organic Cocont Oil
Dubbed as the perfect cooking oil, this coconut oil brand is certified organic and non-GMO, it doesn’t contain trans-fat nor cholesterol and contains lauric acid to promote healthy metabolism and heart. It is also good for skin care, removing makeup, and as a deep hair conditioner too.
Also grown in the Philippines, the coconuts of these brand are well taken care of, freshly handpicked and chosen to extract its oil with the great nutrients and healthy fats. Customers rave about the light scent of it and creamy consistency. With over 5,000 positive reviews on Amazon, customers can’t get enough of this and swear to buy it again and again.
Pros
- Has creamy consistency
- Excellent massage oil for skin and hair
- Keeps heart healthy
Cons
- Does not contain any allergy alert
Jarrow Formulas Coconut Oil
Jarrow formulas pride themselves with the natural process of extracting coconut oil from the copra or flesh of the palm fruit without using any chemicals at all. It is one of the very best hair oils in the market and is actually Amazon’s Choice. It is enhanced with nutrients to keep your hair looking fresh and feel it’s very best.
Your hair will not be as brittle anymore with regular application of this product like you would your ordinary deep conditioner. Your locks will be healthier and livelier than ever – perfect whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly! Your hair will be hydrated and will give you a bouncier look.
Pros
- No aftertaste and has a light coconut flavor
- Easy to swallow and apply topically
- Helps prevent dandruff
- Strengthens and thickens hair
Cons
- Tends to make hair a little oily
- Might be too thick to get out of the bottle
- The bottle tends to break easily as reported by some users
Majestic Pure Coconut Oil
This brand is a premium quality fractioned coconut oil meaning it only has the MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil. It has versatile use ranging from aromatherapy, relaxing massage, mixing with other essential oils, and for hair and skin health.
With over 5,000 positive reviews from Amazon buyers, this is one of the best selling coconut oil in the market. Unlike the previous oils mentioned, this one is not formulated for cooking, it is mainly for adding to your beauty regime. It will make your hair feel luxurious and vibrant from its damaged hair days.
Pros
- It also doesn’t have any scent or fragrance
- Has capric and caprylic acid with anti-oxidants to help fight acne or other skin irritations
- Heals or soothes chapped lips
- Comes in clear, pump type of bottle
Cons
- Not intended for cooking
- Doesn’t come in multi-pack
- Although it doesn’t have any fragrance, some customers say it has an unpleasant medicinal smell
Radha Beauty Fractionated Coconut Oil
Another coconut oil that is already in liquid form since it is fractionated, Radha Beauty’s Coconut Oil is useful for hair and skin care as well. It comes in an easy to pump bottle with clear blue cover and there is no need to warm it up as it is very easy to get out. It has antibacterial or disinfecting properties and will not clog pores. It’s so pure and natural that it is safe to use around the eyes.
It helps nourish the hair from root to tip to soothe and heal dry scalp and gets rid of dandruff. You don’t need to leave it overnight too, just rub it in your hands first then apply on the roots until the tips of your hair and then shampoo and condition. You’ll see a difference instantly.
Pros
- Contains healthy medium chain fatty acids
- No chemicals
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- It is not as versatile as other coconut oil for cooking
- Some users noted that bottle leaks after repeated usages
- Some users who tried to use fractionated coconut oil from the traditional coconut oil got allergic reactions
Coconut Oil for Hair & Skin By COCO&CO
This skin and hair product ranks the best among its kind because it has Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron, and essential fatty acids. The ingredients are all high-grade and of premium quality. It is also formulated to treat some serious skin and hair ailments such as dandruff, soothing eczema, or psoriasis, itchy skin or fungal infections, and treating damaged, dry hair.
Use it by mixing it with a conditioner and applying to your hair then shampooing after thirty minutes. Fatty acids in it will prevent hair breakages and as you continue to use it every day and religiously then you’ll notice to see changes in your hair such as being more youthful, bouncier, fuller, stronger and it smells nice too!
Pros
- Has light and mild coconut scent
- Easily absorbed by skin and hair and doesn’t clog pores/scalp
- Melts quickly when on skin
Cons
- Has a tall and narrow bottle
- Might make hair greasy
Molivera Organics Fractionated Coconut Oil
Molivera Organics is an already trusted brand for skin and health care. It promises you the purest coconut oil free from other ingredients. The good thing about that is its liquid oil penetrates faster and gets absorbed easily by the skin and hair. It won’t clog your pores at all and you’ll see results immediately. This oil is made of both health and beauty. It comes with a pump for easy application.
Get ready to be mesmerized by your new self once you use this product for both your hair and skin. IF you are losing your hair due to pregnancy or aging then you have to try this product to see its magic for yourself. You will have hair growing back again just after three months of use. It comes in a brown bottle protecting it from sunlight and it has a very long shelf life.
Pros
- Non-sticky
- Non-irritant
- Odorless and colorless
- Won’t stain any fabric
Cons
- Expensive compared to its competitors
- Non-refundable if found defective
- The bottle and cover looks cheap
Premum Nature Fractionated Coconut Oil
The bottle is very tall and comes with an easy to squeeze opener. It is very gentle and won’t aggravate any pre-existing skin/hair conditions. It can be used even by those who have sensitive skin. It tames frizzy hair as well. Just like the other fractionated coconut oils, it is in liquid form so you don’t have to worry about staining or clogging your pores.
It is also good for making DIY lotions, face or hair wash because it dilutes nicely and it gets absorbed quickly by your skin and hair. Use it do dilute expensive essential oils for longer shelf life. It remains in liquid form even in cold or room temperature.
Pros
- Unscented
- Great quality
- Satisfactory results – Amazon’s Choice
- Colorless
Cons
- Not ideal to use in warmer months as it will make your skin and hair oilier
- Some users are not happy that the bottle doesn’t have a pump
- Bottle easily breaks
Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
This next product is unrefined and more natural since it is an extra virgin coconut oil. It is guaranteed cold-pressed, not hydrogenated, unbleached nor deodorized. It keeps it mild coconut flavor excellent for cooking, for skin care, hair care, and nail care
It’s a great skin treatment and hair moisturizer for a price that is not too overwhelming. You definitely get the bang of your buck if you spend it on this one since it has multi-purposes and is of excellent quality showing or giving you very satisfactory results!
Pros
- Cold-pressed
- Not hydrogenated
- Non-GMO
Cons
- You have to warm it up a bit to use it
[go_pricing id=”amazon_5b1_5bb05e9233c9e”]
What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for the Hair?
The list can go to 100 and more but essentially it is for improving metabolism as it goes straight to your liver and doesn’t get stored as fat. It’s also good for moisturizing and has anti-bacterial properties.
For the hair, it stimulates hair growth making your hair look fuller and prevents breakages for stronger and more manageable hair. It gets rid of frizz, fractionated coconut oil won’t clog your scalp. While it is good for an anti-frizz solution, it’s best as a deep hair conditioner.
It is great for those women who start to lose hair after giving birth or for those women with thinning hair due to aging. It is also commonly used for babies with “cradle cap” condition as a massage and disinfectant.
What Are the Types of Coconut Oil and which Is the Best Type to Use for Hair?
There are two types which are the Unrefined and Refined Coconut Oils. Unrefined coconut oils are the extra virgin coconut oil which is said to be the gold standard. It offers the most benefits and is more versatile in use than refined coconut oils.
Refined coconut oils are often the “fractionated” ones, in liquid form, mostly tasteless and odorless. They are healthy too but not as healthy as the unrefined ones.
For the hair, we would say the best type to use is the refined coconut oil. Refined coconut oil is great for the external application while the unrefined ones are best for cooking or for oral consumption. When you use refined coconut oil on your hair, it’s very easy to apply and it won’t clog the pores on your scalp. It’s easier to wash off as well making it less greasy.
Important Factors to Keep in Mind
Side Effects of Coconut Oil
This ingredient is generally safe especially when you purchase the best products listed. You have to remember though that WHO already declared it safe but should be taken in regulation or minimal consumption due to the cholesterol present in it.
Regularly consuming coconut oil might increase your bad cholesterol levels. You have to be careful and take it moderately. If you are already taking it as it is (for example eating it in a tablespoon per day), then you have to avoid other foods or meals containing coconut oil.
Coconut Allergy
If you are allergic to coconut (unfortunately) then you can still reap some benefits of this miracle ingredient by its substitutes:
- Palm Oil – These can be found in butter or tallow. Avocado oil comes in second
- Almond Oil, Cassava Flour or Oat Fiber
- Milk is a common alternative for those who can’t tolerate coconut oil – Rice Milk is the best
Safe Use of Coconut Oil
Although there are minimal side effects, we still shouldn’t just continue to use coconut oil and risk ourselves of getting high cholesterol levels or greasy hair.
Here are some best practices to maximize the use of coconut oil:
Avoid the scalp — Unrefined coconut oil might clog pores on the scalp and may cause some skin irritation so best to just apply it directly from the root of the hair (avoiding the scalp) unto the tips
Starting with small amounts – This is like for testing if you are allergic to it or to see how much your skin or hair can handle without being too oily. You can also note how your body reacts to it without too much application
You may add other ingredients – This is recommended for the refined coconut oils, you will see it is beneficial to add other essential oils for longer shelf life and for additional benefits.
[go_pricing id=”amazon_5b1_5bb05e9233c9e”]
Conclusion
Coconut oil has a wide array of benefits, it’s no surprise that it is one of the most, if not the most popular health ingredient out there. It’s very easy to use, there’s minimal risk so you don’t have to go to the doctor to start experimenting it on yourself or continue using it.
Its many benefits are for nourishing the skin and hair, for improving digestion helping you lose weight, for oil pulling or cleaning your mouth of toxins. It is a great source of healthy fats, it boosts your mental health as well and overall lifestyle. It improves your immunity due to its disinfectant properties and lastly, it’s great for cooking!
When you purchase any of the products listed above then you can dilute it in many other ingredients or meals or simply your coffee or tea for an extra kick. You can apply it to yourself from the shower up until bedtime – it’s very reliable.
There are minimal risks to it although you still have to keep in mind to regulate your usage or intake of it to avoid too much greasiness in your skin and in your hair and also to avoid increased levels of bad cholesterol. For the prices though of all the products reviewed, they are totally worth it.
