Coconut oil. It's used in cooking, on your skin, and even on your teeth. It's the holy-grail product for many an Instagram influencer - but does it ACTUALLY do anything?
Good news - yes it does. Studies have shown that coconut oil actively protects your hair from damage and nourishes dry locks. Hurrah.
Whether you apply it as a pre-wash treatment, leave-in conditioner or overnight coconut oil hair mask, there are plenty of reasons why coconut oil should be your hair's new best friend.
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Where to buy coconut oil
1 of 1Vita Coco - Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (500ml)
For speed's sake (we know you're busy catching up on Love is Blind), here's the top seven reasons why you should be using this wonder product.
1. Repairs damage
Here comes the scientific bit - coconut oil is well known for protecting and nourishing hair because studies have shown it reduces protein loss.
Protein is hair's main component and it can be damaged by washing, drying, styling and environmental factors like pollution.
The saturated fat in coconut oil protects against protein loss, improving hair texture and boosting health and shine in hair damaged by UV exposure and over-treatment.
2. Boosts shine
If you're suffering from dull hair, firstly, we'd recommend using a clarifying shampoo for a hair boost, then use some lovely coconut oil to add lustre.
For super-quick application, use a liquid formula in a spray bottle and spritz on your hair, particularly if you have curly locks, for a natural looking sheen.
3. Protects against chemical damage
OK, this is a bit weird, but hear us out. Coconut oil can actually act as a natural swimming cap. Yes.
Before you take a dip, apply coconut oil from the roots to the ends of your hair to protect against the damage of chlorine or salt in your local swimming pool or beach.
The oil acts as a barrier to the water and although your hair will still get wet (obvs) the damage will be minimised.
4. It's the ultimate de-tangler
We've all been there - your hair is freshly washed but dragging a brush through it is just painful.
Thankfully, coconut oil should solve your tangly woes.
Run a small amount of coconut oil through the ends of your hair, or any particularly problematic areas, after washing to detangle and create a gloriously smooth brushing experience.
5. Deeply nourishes
Your hair is at its most vulnerable to damage when it's wet, so applying coconut oil as a conditioner or mask is the perfect way to nourish your hair.
The fatty-acid makeup of coconut oil means it's absorbed more easily into hair strands than other oils, protecting your hair from the damaging effects of heat and dye.
Applying the oil before you wash your hair is a great way to nourish hair, because it protects your hair in it's most damage-prone wet state.
6. Hides split ends
In our VERY BUSY lives, we don't always have time to nip to the hairdressers for a quick trim every 6 weeks, but those pesky split ends haunt even our best hair days.
The good news is coconut oil can help hide those dry-looking ends until your next salon trip.
Simply take a small amount of coconut oil to the ends of your hair, it will temporarily smooth away those split ends, acting like real-life photoshop.
7. Super-charges your current products
Don't worry, you don't have to ditch all your favourite haircare products in favour of coconut oil, you can actually use it to boost your current routine.
Add a few drops to your hand when applying your usual hair cream or leave-in conditioner for added moisturising benefits.
You could even make your own extra-nourishing hair mask by mixing coconut oil with other natural ingredients like honey, yoghurt or avocado.
The best coconut oil infused products, according to Closer
7 of the best coconut oil based hair products
1 of 7Vita Coco - Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (500ml)
There are lots of brilliant coconut oil infused products out there, but the OG coconut oil product is just... pure coconut oil. Affordable, simple and you can cook with it too.
2 of 7OGX Damage Remedy Coconut Miracle Oil Extra Strength Penetrating Hair Oil 100 ml
We've already seen great things aboutOGX's coconut oil air-dry cream, so we have high hopes for this miracle oil too. This super-powerful oil is designed to penetrate hair deeply to repair damage and calm serious frizz. OGX's products work miracles on curly hair, so we'd recommend giving this oil a go if you've got natural waves.
3 of 7Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Conditioner 265ml
This organic shampoo from Dr Organic contains all sort of natural goodness. Coconut oil, aloe vera and vitamin E all feature in this nourishing shampoo, which reviews say leaves hair clean, bouncy and voluminous for days.
4 of 7Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Coconut Oil 3-in-1 Frizzy Hair Mask Treatment
Garnier's ultra-nourishing hair masks are already a cult favourite, and we love this coconut version. You can use this coconut oil infused "hair food" as a mask, leave-in conditioner or wash-out version. Glorious.
5 of 7Palmer's® Coconut Oil Formula™ Leave- In Conditioner With Tahitian Monoi 250ml
Palmer's® has always been king of coconut products, and this leave in conditioner certainly lives up to the hype. Its coconut oil infused formula repairs damaged hair and leaves it soft and shiny, all packaged in a handy spray bottle.
6 of 7Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil 100ml
Bumble&Bumble's invisible oil is a cult product for a reason. It actually contains a blend of oils, not just coconut oil, and de-frizzes hair beautifully, leaving a trace of shine and hair feather-soft. Bumble&Bumble is PETA certified cruelty-free too.
7 of 7Biosilk Silk Therapy Coconut Oil Leave In Treatment 167ml
This luxury leave-in conditioner has rave reviews, and given coconut oil's magical hair repairing powers, we can understand why. You can use this product on both hair and skin post-shower for soft suppleness all over.
Coconut oil hair masks, how do they work?
Coconut oil is incredibly versatile and you can use it multiple ways to achieve soft and supple locks. You can apply directly before or after washing your hair to protect against damage and seal in essential moisture.
One of the most common ways to use coconut oil on your hair is as a mask or conditioner. For a super-nourishing mask, rub a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil into your hair from midsections to tips and leave for a few hours (or even overnight) before washing out with shampoo.
For a quick-fix, you can use coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner. Use a pea-sized amount on the ends of your hair after washing and style as usual.
It is recommended that you use coconut oil as a hair mask one or two times a week.
You can also use coconut oil as a finishing product to minimize the appearance of split ends, reduce frizz and tame flyaways.
Can you make your own coconut oil hair masks at home?
You can, yes! You can add all sorts to coconut oil to target different things.
Coconut oil hair masks recipes
1) Coconut oil and olive oil. Whisk together half a cup of olive oil and one cup of coconut oil in a bowl before massaging it through your hair. Work it into your strands and scalp and leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes (or even overnight). Rinse your hair and continue with shampoo and conditioner.
2) Coconut oil and honey. Heat a tablespoon of coconut oil and honey in a pot on the stove. Turn the heat to low and stir until it’s melted and smooth, feeling free to add more coconut oil if the mixture is too sticky. Let it cool down before applying to damp hair, then wear the mask for 40 minutes before rinsing it off with water and moving on to your shampoo.
3) Coconut oil and banana. Fetch a ripe banana, peel and chop it, then toss into a blender. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil before blending together until smooth. Massage it onto your hair and leave on for 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Rinse off and continue your hair routine as normal. If you suffer from frizzy or dry hair, this is a winner.
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Does coconut oil have any negative effects on hair?
Coconut oil has lots of great hair-nourishing properties, but there are some things to be aware of before you start using oil on your locks.
Over-use of coconut oil could cause build up and grease, so stick to a coconut oil treatment no more than a few times a week.
If you have very fine hair, using coconut oil could make your hair greasy and dull, so start with just a teaspoon of oil only on the ends of your air if your hair is fine or thinning.