We know, we know—Coconut Oil was That Girl in the early 2010s. But don’t leave this ingredient in hair care past. For curls and coils, Coconut Oil is still a top-rated ingredient that brings unbeatable nourishment, moisture and protection.
So, what does Coconut Oil do for your hair? It’s time to feel the tropical breeze. In this blog, we’ll share the top uses and benefits of Coconut Oil for curly hair of all kinds.
Is Coconut Oil Good for Curly Hair?
The word “oil” can strike fear in curly hair owners. Won’t oils weigh down any coils or spirals? Fortunately, Coconut Oil is not your average oil.
For thousands of years, Coconut Oil has been used in medicine and personal care—and for good reason.1 This solid oil is packed with fatty acids that are perfectly suited to nourish curls and coils.
How does Coconut Oil help?
Unlike most hair oils, Coconut Oil can penetrate the hair shaft.2 That means Coconut Oil can deliver its rich moisture and benefits directly to your curls, rather than weigh them down or add extra grease.
Top Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair
Coconut Oil is more than just a source of moisture. This ingredient can also improve the health of your hair from inside-out. So, how is Coconut Oil good for your hair exactly?
When part of a curly hair care routine, Coconut Oil can offer:3
- Improved moisture – Moisture is the key to hair health—and foolproof curls. Coconut Oil increases moisture by penetrating the shaft and fills in the hair’s porous parts, as if it had a lower porosity (how much water can slip in and out of the hair shaft).2 Coconut Oil hair products, like a lightweight conditioner, could prevent your hair follicles from “swelling” by absorbing excess water, while also locking in moisture.
- Less frizz – Coconut Oil is a natural emollient, like most oils. This means it can coat and smooth the outer layer of the hair follicles, reducing any unwanted or excess frizz, if you prefer a smooth look. One study found that Coconut Oil can reduce unwanted frizz and increase hair manageability when used as a pre-wash or post-wash hair treatment.4
- Antimicrobial protection – When products build up at the scalp, it can clog your hair follicles—a recipe for bacterial and fungal infections. Coconut Oil has natural antibacterial properties, which may protect your scalp from infection-based inflammation, dandruff or itchiness.
- Damage prevention – Coconut Oil has a low molecular weight, which lets it penetrate your hair follicles completely. This action can prevent the loss of vital proteins from your hair that uphold its strength and health. In fact, Coconut Oil is the only hair oil proven to reduce protein loss.5 Down the line, this can lead to a healthier head of curls that are less prone to natural breakage.
- Lubrication – Forget the post-wash tangles. Coconut Oil lubricates each strand for easy combing, so you don’t have to tug or break any hairs.
How To Use Coconut Oil for Hair
There’s no one-size-fits-all method to use Coconut Oil in curls. From deep conditioners to sprays, this nourishing ingredient comes in many forms to treat every curl type. Try bringing Coconut Oil into your hair care routine in these ways:
- Pre-shampoo treatment– Wash days are necessary, but shampooing with the wrong products can sometimes leave your curls feeling dull. On a wash day, apply Coconut Oil to your hair for about 30 minutes before shampooing. Or better yet, try out PATTERN’s Hydration Shampoo formulated with Coconut Oil. This will help your curls retain moisture in the face of cleansing.
- Leave-in conditioning treatment – Use Coconut Oil as a leave-in conditioner for an extra boost of moisturize and definition. Apply a small amount of Coconut Oil or PATTERN’s Leave-In Conditioner to your wet hair after washing and conditioning, focusing on the ends and then style as desired. With weekly use, this could improve the glossiness of hair and reduce flyaways.
- Hydrating mist – In the dry heat, curls can turn brittle and dull. Revive your curls in one spritz with a Coconut Oil mist, such as PATTERN’s Hydrating Mist. The light spray made with Coconut Oil will penetrate your hair shafts for an instant hit of moisture.
- Heat protectant – After washing, apply a small amount of a PATTERN’s Styling Cream specifically formulated with Coconut Oil to your hair. Pair with a heat protectant for curly hair and blow-dry on low heat in your favorite style.
Crack Open the Benefits of Coconut Oil with PATTERN
If you’re stuck on a tropical island, Coconut Oil is the one ingredient you should bring (or look for on the beach). This plant-based oil is perfect for moisturizing, nourishing and strengthening curls—all without weighing them down. If you’re ready to bring this super-ingredient into your hair care routine, look no further than PATTERN.
We know that natural ingredients are the building blocks of natural hair. That’s why PATTERN puts Coconut Oil in so many of our curly hair products, from style creams to deep conditioners. Create your must lucious, glossy and healthy head of curls yet through the power of Coconut Oil in our collection.
Sources:
- PRIMEST. RE-Discovering The History of Coconut Oil this National Day. https://primest.sg/blogs-and-recipes/blogs/re-discovering-the-history-of-coconut-oil-this-national-day/
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Benefit of coconut‐based hair oil via hair porosity quantification. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ics.12774
- NIH. Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9231528/
- NIH. Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693
- Verywell Health. Coconut Oil for Hair: Benefits, How to Use, and More. https://www.verywellhealth.com/coconut-oil-for-your-hair-4171883
- Byrdie. 5 DIY Heat Protectants You Can Use in a Pinch. https://www.byrdie.com/diy-heat-protectant-5081320
