Coconut oil for hair: Why it belongs in your routine and what mistakes you should avoid

The oil can also help those suffering from hair loss. The vitamins and minerals it contains can stimulate hair growth. Those with fine hair should not use coconut oil, as the oil weighs it down. There are better oil alternatives for hair care. Curly, very porous, or protein-sensitive hair can also become dry and brittle due to coconut oil.

How long should a coconut oil treatment work?

The exposure time of a coconut oil treatment depends on the desired effect and the hair type. For quick treatment, it's sufficient to leave the oil on for 30 to 60 minutes – ideal for normal or slightly dry hair. For a more intensive effect, leave the treatment in your hair for one to two hours. For severely damaged, frizzy, or very dry hair, coconut oil can also be left on overnight for maximum conditioning benefits. However, you should only apply the oil to the lengths and ends, and protect your pillow .

Coconut oil for hair: application tips for your care routine

But: Can you also apply coconut oil to dry hair? Absolutely, because the oil is also suitable as a leave-in product for the ends. Simply warm a small amount in your hands, distribute it through the dry ends of your hair, and do not rinse it out. It's important not to use too much oil, as this will make your hair look greasy.

Why can coconut oil dry out porous hair?

It may sound like a contradiction at first, but it can happen – coconut oil can have a drying effect on porous hair because it locks in moisture but doesn't provide any moisture itself. Highly porous hair has open cuticles and loses moisture quickly. When coconut oil is applied to dry hair, it seals in this dryness and prevents nourishing moisture from penetrating from the outside – the hair often appears even more brittle afterwards. Coconut oil can also reduce protein loss in the hair, which can lead to an imbalance in protein-sensitive or already protein-rich hair: The hair then feels hard, dull, or straw-like. Especially with damaged or chemically treated hair, it is therefore important to moisturize first and then use an oil like coconut oil sparingly – or to switch to lighter oils like argan or jojoba oil .

Coconut oil alternatives: Which oils are best for your hair?

Coconut oil isn't the only good thing for your hair. Other oils like olive oil , argan oil, or castor oil are also suitable for hair care. Which oil is best depends on your individual hair structure. For very fine hair, coconut oil is counterproductive. Jojoba oil or argan oil are particularly good for fine and thin hair and even add volume. Olive and coconut oil are often mixed together. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to which oil is best for your hair. So, just try it out.

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