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5 Clever Ways to Include Coconut Oil in Your Hair Routine

Coconut oil might seem too good to be true, and that’s because it is. Not only is coconut oil one of the healthiest cooking oils available, but it can also seriously take your beauty regimen to the next level. If you’ve never tried incorporating this tropical oil into your hair care routine, read on to learn why you should start right away, and how.

Why Use Coconut Oil in My Hair Routine?

To read the ins and outs of why coconut oil makes for such an excellent addition to your hair care routine, check out our article on 10 Evidence Based Benefits of Coconut Oil for Your Hair. But, here’s a quick run-down on why to begin using coconut oil to achieve healthy, long and shiny hair:

• Coconut oil protects your hair from environmental factors such as sun, wind and cold.
• Coconut oil moisturizes your hair more effectively than other mineral oils due to its lauric acid content, which is able to penetrate the hair shaft and protect the proteins in the cubicle from damage (1).
• Coconut oil can prevent and treat dandruff and general dry scalp (2).
• Coconut oil can promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, largely by preventing breakage (3).

Convinced? Now, let’s learn about how to use this nutrient rich oil for healthy hair.

5 Clever Ways to Include Coconut Oil in Your Hair Routine

1. Make a Coconut Oil Hair Mask

To truly reap the moisturizing benefits of coconut oil for your hair, try making an easy, DIY hair mask. You can simply apply coconut oil by itself to wet or dry hair and allow it to sit for a few hours before washing it out (make sure it doesn’t clog your drains). Or, get creative and add a few drops of essential oils such as rosemary, sandalwood or peppermint, all good for dry scalp and dandruff. You could also add a drop of lavendar oil for an extra boost of relaxation. Combine 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to about 5-10 drops of essential oil, more or less depending on how much hair you have. Allow it to sit for 1 hour, and rinse.

2. Use Coconut Oil as a Natural Detangler After Your Shower

Brushing out tangles while your hair is wet can cause damage to the hair shaft, as your hair is most vulnerable post-wash. While store-bought detangling solutions can do the trick, they often contain some questionable ingredients, and coconut oil makes for a safe, natural and effective alternative. Simply melt coconut until it is liquid (if you live in a cold climate, coconut oil will be solid until 76 degrees) (4), and then drop a bit into the palm of your hand. Run it through your hair with your fingers (more if you have more hair, less for finer hair) and then brush your hair as usual.

3. Make Your Own Nourishing Scalp Treatment with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent, and it is quite moisturizing. To fight dandruff or dry scalp, make a nourishing scalp treatment by mixing together several tablespoons of coconut oil with a few drops of tea tree oil and/or rosemary oil. Apply it to your scalp by parting your hair and dabbing it on with a cotton ball or your fingers. Then, massage your scalp (or even better, have someone else do it), and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse and repeat each week.

Scalp treatments with coconut oil can also promote hair growth.

4. Replace Your Conditioner with Coconut Oil

Another product that is often loaded with nasty ingredients that can actually do your hair more harm than good is conditioner. Instead of conventional conditioners, try using coconut oil, instead. You can use it as a leave-in conditioner by brushing a few tablespoons (give or take) through your hair post-wash, or you can apply it, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, and rinse. Much less damaging and equally as moisturizing. Other oils can work well, too, but coconut oil tops the list.

5. Use Coconut Oil as a Protector Before Washing

Wet hair is vulnerable to damage, as its structure is slightly changed when exposed to water (5). Applying coconut oil either before or after a wash can greatly protect your hair from damage accrued from washing (or over-washing, in particular). Simply rub coconut oil through your hair, and continue with your wash as normal.

Incorporating coconut oil in these 5 ways to your hair care regimen can make a world of difference. You will likely find your hair becomes shinier, longer and less prone to damage. Coconut oil really is a super-oil, both in the kitchen and in your beauty routine.