This Cupboard Staple Doubles As A Haircare Hero

There are plenty of buzzy ingredients when it comes to the world of haircare – but none have gripped the internet quite like coconut oil. Hundreds claim it’s the perfect pick-me-up for dull, dry strands, while others maintain it’s not fit for purpose. So, what’s the truth? Here’s everything you need to know about using coconut oil on your hair.

Is Coconut Oil Good For Your Hair?

The short answer: yes. ‘Unlike other oils, like mineral oil, coconut oil can actually penetrate the hair shaft,’ explains @abbeyyung on TikTok. ‘That gives it the ability to fill in the micro-cavities in your hair, which maintains your cuticle’s hair health. It also prevents the weakest links in your hair from becoming even weaker and breaking off. Plus, it prevents protein loss in the hair, which is what leads to breakage.

‘But it doesn’t just penetrate your hair shaft, it also creates and occlusive layer around it,’ she continues. ‘This not only conditions your hair, but it also helps to prevent the absorption of things that damage it, like moisture. The truth is that water is the only thing that can moisturise our hair, and it damages the hair through something called hygral fatigue. So that layer of coconut oil in your hair will prevent water absorption, which reduces hygral fatigue and in turn reduces damage.’

@abbeyyung As promised, all the science explaining the benefits of coconut oil for our hair & why i think it makes some people’s hair feel super dry & brittle #coconutoil #coconutoilforhair #coconutoilhair #hairoil ♬ original sound – Abbey Yung

The Benefits

While nourishment and protection are some of the bigger benefits associated with using coconut oil on your hair, it also helps with the following:

• Intense nourishment: Coconut oil penetrates deep into the hair fibre, thanks its lauric acid content (a medium chain fatty acid), which enables rapid absorption and therefore deeper nourishment.
• Reduced breakage: It also works to reduce breakage by strengthening the hair structure, with a protective occlusive layer stopping too much water absorption and minimising daily damage from brushing, pollution and UV rays.
• Improved scalp health: With its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it also can help maintain a healthy scalp and prevent irritations like dandruff, itching and other infections.
• Hair growth: Coconut oil similarly nourishes the scalp, creating an environment that supports healthy hair growth.

What Hair Types Can Coconut Oil Be Used On?

Fine Hair

While fine hair can experience the above benefits, note that coconut oil should be used sparingly with this hair type. It can easily weigh fine strands down, leaving them greasy.

Curly & Frizzy Hair

Usually dry rather than oily, curly and frizzy hair will benefit from the moisture balancing and deep nourishment of coconut oil. It also helps define curls, reduce frizz and add some shine and softness to hair.

Colour-Treated & Bleached Hair

Coconut oil is great for coloured hair, as it can help protect against damage caused by chemical treatments – while balancing moisture levels, protecting the hair fibre and prolonging colour.

Can You Use The Coconut Oil In Your Cupboard?

This is where you might find some debate. While we might joke about coconut oil being a product you can grab from the kitchen, the version used for haircare is very different from the those found in the supermarket aisles. The two should not be used interchangeably, despite what the next beauty hack tells you.

@haileygrahamm please stopppppp putting this on your hair 🫣🫧🫶🏻 #coconutoil #coconutoilforhair #diyhairmask #healthyhair #hairtips #healthyhairtips #healthyhairjouney #dryhair #dryhairtips #damagedhair #damagedhairrepair #hairoil #hairoiling #hairoils #hairmask #hairtok #hairadvice #hairhealth #hairtransformation #longhair ♬ original sound – Hailey G | YOUR HAIR BESTIE

‘Coconut oil in a jar is not for your hair,’ says @haileygrahamm on TikTok. ‘Coconut oil has a cooking temperature of 350°F [around 175°C]. That is the stuff you get from the store. So, if you go and put that on your hair and then use a straightening iron, a curling wand, whatever – you are essentially cooking your hair. Not only that, but when it is in that greasy, thick consistency form, it is not compatible with your hair strand. It cannot penetrate your hair and actually heal it, get inside and do anything.

‘Coconut oil can be so beneficial for your hair, but it must be fractionated coconut oil,’ she continues. ‘Which means it goes through a process called fractionation… allowing the components to separate. So you’re gonna have the liquid form, which is the medium chain fatty acids, and then you’re gonna have the greasy, thick consistency, which is going to be the long chain fatty acids. The liquid portion is what we want. That is fractionated coconut oil and it is found in so many good hair products.

‘You just want to look for fractionated coconut oil – and please, for the love of all God, stop putting solid jarred coconut oil from the store on your hair.’

Featured image: Maryan Ivasyk, Unsplash