Coconut Oil for Hair Health | Pamper Yourself with This Luxurious Treatment | One Good Thing by Jillee

I have mentioned several times in the past month or so that the frigid, dry air here in Utah is wreaking havoc on my body. So if I sound like a broken record, I apologize. But as my daughter would say, “the struggle is real!” Not only am I slathering moisturizers and lotions onto my skin by the handful, but my hair and scalp are starting to suffer too. 

So I’m breaking out my secret weapon: a homemade deep conditioning hair treatment made with coconut oil. But before we get down to making it, let’s talk a little bit about some of the amazing benefits of coconut oil, and why it is a saving grace for your dry hair and scalp.

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Coconut oil for Hair?

Coconut Oil For Hair

Coconut oil is an amazing all-natural tool in your health and beauty arsenal, especially for your hair. Here are just a few of the benefits you can get from using coconut oil on your tresses:

• Helps stimulate hair growth without the chemicals found in most hair product lines.
• Promotes scalp health which can help with such problems as lice, cradle cap, and dandruff.
• Moisturizes dry hair and dry scalp.
• Adds luster, shine and softness to damaged hair.
• Prevents hair breakage and split ends, which promotes healthy hair.
• Slows hair loss.

Coconut oil is a rich source of fatty acids that nourish your hair and your body (and it has antibacterial and antimicrobial too!) It is especially high in lauric acid which contains proteins that can strengthen your hair and prevent damage. Coconut oil’s structure also allows it to penetrate hair in ways that other oils are not able to, infusing moisture back into your hair and leaving it soft and shiny.

What Kind Of Coconut Oil Should I Use?

Processed or refined coconut oil is best saved for use in your kitchen. Instead, make sure you are using pure, unrefined coconut oil, since it will be free of any chemicals that may damage your hair.

What Is The Best Oil To Use For My Hair Type?

Pure Coconut Oil is excellent for all hair types, but can be especially helpful for those with dry, brittle, and chemically- or heat-damaged hair. Its fatty acids bond to your hair in a way that other oils can’t, which is why I use it here, in the desert where I live. :-) And it smells heavenly!

Almond Oil is a great alternative to coconut oil. While it doesn’t have the benefits of the medium chain fatty acids, it is rich with vitamins that enhance the health of the hair follicle and promote hair growth and overall hair health. It is an excellent moisturizer with anti-inflammatory properties, and can help reduce dandruff just like coconut oil can. It’s best for dandruff-prone hair (and smells so nice!). It also works well as a pre-styling hair treatment. Rub a bit in your hands, apply to damp hair, and then style as usual.

Olive Oil is great as both a moisturizer and pre-treatment before you pull out your hot hair tools.

Argan Oil comes from the nuts of the argan tree. It is also rich with fatty acids and ideal for frizzy or coarse hair that is exposed to heat from curling irons and blow dryers. It protects against UV rays and smooths that stubborn frizz from your hair shaft.

Mineral Oil is safe and moisturizing, but it’s also highly refined. So it won’t give your hair the same essential vitamins and minerals that a natural oil will.

How To Use Coconut Oil On Your Hair

There are countless ways you can use coconut oil in your hair. You can add a bit of it into your regular shampoo or conditioner for an added boost of hydration when you shower, or you can use a little dab on your fingers to smooth down flyaways and split ends. But my favorite way to use coconut oil on my hair is to make a homemade coconut oil hair mask. It takes just minutes to mix together and the results will amaze you! My hair has never been so soft, shiny, and healthy!

Here’s how to make it.

Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

You’ll need:

• 2 Tbsp organic virgin coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp jojoba oil (or almond oil)
• 3-5 drops essential oil of your choice
• A small bowl

Directions:

Use raw coconut oil that is in its solid state. If you live in a warm climate or your coconut oil has been sitting out somewhere warm, just stick it in the fridge for a few minutes until it solidifies.

Measure the coconut oil into a small bowl and stir well. Stirring will heat it up just enough to create a smooth, creamy texture.

Add the jojoba oil and continue stirring until the mixture is even and well-combined.

Add 3-5 drops of your preferred essential oil. Many essential oils can help promote hair and scalp health, including lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and geranium. Stir well.

Apply the mixture to your hair from roots to ends, paying particular attention to any dry areas.

Then cover your hair with a plastic bag or shower cap, and use a hair dryer to warm the hair a bit. Leave the mixture on your hair for 15-30 minutes. Finally, wash and condition your hair as usual. Use this deep conditioner once a week for the fullest benefits.

But wait, there’s more! (I hope you read that like an infomercial host.) This coconut oil hair treatment can do double duty, because you can also use it to make a hair detangler spray! I wish I had known about this when my kids were little, because we probably could have avoided a lot of hair-combing meltdowns. But of course, adults get tangles too, so this is a good thing to keep in the bathroom cabinet for just about anyone!

• Coconut Oil Detangler Spray

  You’ll need:

  • 1 part Coconut Oil Hair Treatment (see recipe above)
  • 10 parts water
  • A spray bottle

Directions:

Combine 1 part Coconut Oil Hair Treatment with 10 parts water in a large spray bottle. Shake the bottle well before using.

After washing and rinsing your hair, spray it lightly with the detangler spray as you comb to help work through tangles. Remember to use a wide-tooth comb when working with wet hair to avoid causing further damage.

Now you can replace those expensive, deep-conditioning salon treatments with this natural and inexpensive coconut oil treatment you can easily make at home. Just another reason to always keep a jar of coconut oil on hand.