Coconut Oil Fall Routine | DIY, Hair and Skin | Wet Hair Look
When it comes down to it, what can't you use coconut oil for? After all, people in coastal and tropical regions have been using the nourishing oil for centuries, for everything from cooking to skincare to natural remedies. It's been used as a shaving balm, face and body moisturizer, and touted as a superfood thanks to its naturally-high fatty acid content.
But the benefits of coconut oil don't stop there. Adding this natural oil to your haircare routine might be exactly what the doctor (or in this case, hair stylist) ordered to transform dry hair to healthy hair in no time. And, while it's especially great for curly hair, coconut oil is an amazing hair treatment for any hair type–meaning anyone can add this easy DIY hair product product to their haircare routine.
Want to know more about how you can use coconut oil to get healthy hair from the comfort of your own bathroom? Continue reading below for our top tips and tricks for adding coconut oil to your haircare routine, and get ready for thick, healthy hair in no time.
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The Benefits of Using Coconut Oil on Your Hair
So, why should you use coconut oil on your hair? For starters, it's amazing at deep conditioning. Seriously–consider it nature's hydrating heavyweight. This is because coconut oil helps your cuticle retain moisture by acting as a sealant, preventing any previous moisturizing products you've applied from exiting your hair shaft. The result is smoother, less-frizzy hair that's protected for future styling.
For those with thinning or fine hair, coconut oil helps slow down hair loss by penetrating deep into your hair shaft to prevent protein loss, which in turn prevents breakage. When applied to your scalp, it simultaneously moisturizes and removes build-up around your hair follicles to jumpstart hair growth. In fact, because of how effective it is at nourishing and moisturizing a dry scalp, it can also be used as an effective treatment for dandruff.
Okay, so the use of coconut oil can help you hydrate your hair and accelerate hair growth. What else?
Well, using coconut oil on the ends of your hair can also help prevent split ends, add luster and shine, and even improve your hair's manageability for styling. Not to mention, it's jam-packed with antibacterial properties and nutrients.
All in all, even adding just a small amount of coconut oil to your haircare routine can have some seriously stunning results. But how exactly do you go about using it? We break down two different ways to use coconut oil on your hair–as a hair oil and a deep conditioning hair treatment–below.
How to Apply Coconut Oil as a Hair Mask
Want to harness the full moisturizing power of coconut oil? Stick to unrefined, virgin coconut oil (or even extra virgin coconut oil) for the best results. This just ensures your hair will be getting all the good-for-you nutrients present in the oil's natural form.
Ipster tip: a good baseline for how often you should use coconut oil as a hair mask is 2-3 times a week, but feel free to experiment to see what works best for you!
Step 1. Warm the coconut oil. Coconut oil is naturally harder than other oils, so if it’s solidified or not in liquid form when you first open the jar, don't worry. You can melt it by taking a small amount of coconut oil in your hands and rubbing them together, or by scooping a spoonful into a pan and heating it until it starts to melt. To avoid product buildup, start with no more than a teaspoon.
Step 2. Apply the coconut oil to dry hair. Use a wide-tooth comb–like this detangling R+CO Comb–to distribute the coconut oil through your hair. Start at the midsection of your hair, around where your ears are, and continuing to the ends of your hair for all-over moisturizing. If you're concerned about hair loss or want to boost hair growth, you can also take a small amount in your fingertips and massage it on your scalp first before applying it to the midsection of your hair. You can also experiment by blending your oil with other ingredients, such as yogurt, honey, or lemon juice.
Step 3. Leave on for 30 minutes–or overnight. For a quick deep conditioning hair treatment, apply your coconut oil before shampooing and conditioning your hair like you normally would. Simply leave it on for 30 minutes, then wash your hair like normal. Or, for an extra-hydrating hair mask, leave your coconut oil hair treatment in overnight–simply wrap your hair up in a shower cap before sleeping to make sure you don't get it all over your pillow. Then, shower and shampoo when you wake up. You might have to rinse a few times to get all of the coconut oil out, but when you do, you'll be left with silky, soft hair.
How to Apply Coconut Oil as a Hair Oil
Don't have time for a full deep conditioning treatment, or want to incorporate coconut oil into your everyday haircare routine? We've got you covered.
Ipster tip: while you can use coconut oil as an on-the-go split end treatment for extra-dry hair, this can cause product buildup or excess oil if you use it too frequently. To avoid this, try using coconut oil as a hair oil on wet hair first, after you've showered.
Step 1. Warm the coconut oil. Since you'll be using less coconut oil than you would be if you were using it as an all-over hair treatment, try taking just a small amount of coconut oil between your palms and rubbing until it's soft and malleable. Of course, you can also heat it up over the stove for a more liquid consistency.
Step 2. Apply the coconut oil to the ends of your hair. After showering, run the coconut oil through the ends of your hair, or take it up slightly higher (to the midsection of your hair) to use as a moisturizing detangler. Avoid your roots or scalp area to avoid excess oil or grease.
Step 3. Comb through and style as usual. After you've applied your coconut oil to the ends of your hair, comb through and dry as you normally would. If you're using a blow dryer, we recommend applying your heat protectant like normal on top of the coconut oil, to make sure none of the moisture is lost while you style.
Our Fave Coconut Oil Hair Products
Not down for the DIY? Don't worry–you can still reap the benefits of coconut oil without putting in any extra elbow work. Here are a few of our favorite hair products infused with powerful coconut oil:
1. QHEMET BIOLOGICS Coconut & Green Tea Softening Serum
If your hair is on the finer side, you may worry that adding oils will weigh your hair down. But not all oils are heavy or greasy. Opt for this extra lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that uses coconut oil to soften your strands without causing them to fall flat. Coconut oil and castor oil hydrate and lock in essential moisture, while green tea oil strengthens and protects. Use it on your ends, or as finishing oil to give your hair a daily boost of shine and healthy ingredients.
2. BRIOGEO HAIR CARE’s Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Here's a holy grail product for dandruff and flakiness. The unique formula includes binchotan charcoal, which draws out impurities from your scalp and hair follicles. Vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators slough away dead skin cells and product build-up, while a blend of peppermint and spearmint oils reduces itchiness, and tea tree oil reduces irritation and inflammation. It also has coconut oil that seals in moisture and soothes the scalp, bringing pliability and softness back to your hair. This versatile shampoo works wonders for color-treated, keratin-treated, chemically treated, relaxed, and natural hair.
3. MARC ANTHONY TRUE PROFESSIONAL 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner
This nourishing formula pairs coconut oil with shea butter to hydrate and boost shine for all hair types—curly included. Just a dime-size amount will help restore shine, make strands healthier, and detangle even the curliest of locks. Plus, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, SLS, and phthalates–all of which can take a toll on hair health over time.
"This really helped hydrate and bring back my dead ends," says Ipster autumn_g48. "10/10 would recommend."
4. BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Farewell Frizz™ Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Spritz this moisturizing mist on towel-dried hair to experience all the hydrating benefits of a hair cream with the ease and lightweight texture of a mist. Coconut oil, rosehip oil, and argan oil condition and protect, keep frizz at bay, and make detangling a breeze. This vegan and paraben-free leave-in conditioner has a subtle tropical scent that transports you to beach days every time you use it.
Ipster writingapaige recently received this in her Glam Bag. After trying it, she says, "This worked really well for my hair in the summer. My hair seemed really healthy when I used this and it made me feel good."
5. ST. TROPICA Beach Goddess Hot Oil Hair Mask
Coconut oil is a go-to for boosting hair health and shine at home. When DIY-ing your own coconut oil hair mask feels like too tall of an order, reach for ST. TROPICA's ready-made alternative. This mask works like a hot oil treatment, effectively penetrating hair all the way to the cuticle to provide deep, nourishing hydration and long-lasting lustre. Use it weekly to avoid or restore dry, damaged hair.
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