Ingredient Series: Coconut Oil

So, I was sitting around the other day thinking about the things I put in my hair and why.  What I realized is that I didn't really have a clear understanding of why I was using the products with the ingredients that I do expect that they were recommended by the YouTube gurus.   So I said "self, that's a stupid reason to be using these products".  This is the motivation for this series.  Monthly, I will target an ingredient that is hot in the natural hair community and do the research in order to fully understand the effects and purpose for use on my hair.  This month, I am picking what I think is the hottest product right now "Coconut Oil".

Bought at Sam's for about $15 80 fl oz

In the 1970s, there was a campaign against coconut oil in order to promote corn and soy oils.  Coconut oil was deemed harmful due to the high content of saturated facts (Health).  According to Kris Gunners, coconut oil is classified as a "super food" that contains fatty acids that promotes fat loss and better brain function.  It contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTS); which is the fatty acid that goes straight to the liver in order to produce a quick energy source or ketone bodies.  It also contains lauric acid that kills pathogens (bacteria, viruses and fungi).  It can  suppress appetite and improve blood cholesterol.  Its antimicrobial properties improves digestion and aides in the absorption of nutrients.  For your skin, coconut oil improves moisture and lipid content.  It can also block 20% of ultraviolet rays (Gunners).

Coconut oil is considered a carrier oil.  This means that it can easily penetrate or absorb into the skin or hair shaft.  It also allows other essential oils to absorb when combined.  It acts as a preservative allowing other oils and herbal extract not to spoil (Health).  This makes it the perfect ingredient for hair product mixtures for you DIY mixtures at home in order to extend their shelf life.  For your hair, coconut oil aides in health hair growth, shine quality and reduces protein loss.  When used as a conditioner it promotes regrowth of damaged hair by providing proteins required to heal and nourish damage.  Regularly massaging the oil into the scalp can prevent dandruff and lice (Health).

According to Health.com, coconut oil can be use in a variety of ways.  It  can be used as a hair mask by applying it to strands and letting it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing.  This will bring back moisture and shine.  It can also be use to control frizz when added  from mid-shaft to the ends of the hair.  Other uses include body oil, make-up remover, cuticle oil, lip balm, eye cream, body scrub, shaving cream and the list goes on and on.

I hope that this was helpful to you and gave more insight into this super versatile product.  Get yourself a container and try it out on your hair.

Bibliography

Gunnars, Kris. "Selected Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Topically Applied Sunflower Oil." Applied Science Reports App. Sci. Report 10.1 (2015): n. pag. Authority Nutrition ~ An Evidence -Based Approach. Authority Nutrition, 8 July 2013. Web. 17 July 2015.

"Health Benefits of Coconut Oil | Organic Facts." Organic Facts. N.p., 12 June 2015. Web. 17 July 2015.

"10 Surprising Beauty Uses For Coconut Oil." Health.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 July 2015.

Zelman, Kathleen M., MPH, RD, LD. "Coconut Oil Uses & Your Health." WebMD. WebMD, 10 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 July 2015.