Coconut Oil for Your Hair: Facts, Benefits, and How to Use it
In some cultures, the coconut tree is known as the tree of life. Learn what makes coconut oil the best for hair.
by Oxford Biolabs
  • Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids
  • Coconut oil protects hair from damage, improves hair structure
  • Proven anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-dandruff properties 

We’ve seen them in cartoons, we’ve seen them on sandy beaches as well as in our supermarkets. It’s the brown, hairy spherical food we know and love - the coconut. Now praised by celebrities and health experts, coconuts, in all forms - water, milk and oil - are exploding in popularity. This superfood is incredibly versatile, so much so that the coconut tree is called the “tree of life.”

Backed by peer-reviewed studies in world-class journals, the science behind coconut oil is solid, and the foundation for its use has already been established. Learn what makes coconut oil the ideal choice for hair problems, and how best to use it.

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is an edible oil made from the meat of mature coconuts. The oil is extracted from the coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera). The most valuable part of the oil is the high saturated fat content; not to worry, saturated fat has been exonerated of all charges for causing obesity and weight gain. It contains medium-chain fatty acids, notably lauric acid, which are able to penetrate into the hair shaft, reducing protein loss and nourishing the hair with nutrients.

What are the health benefits of coconut oil?

There’s no doubt that this oil helps hair, but what other benefits does it have? There is evidence it is also good for:

  • Heart health
  • Brain power and processing
  • Weight loss
  • Inflammation 

What is the science behind coconut oil?

There are thousands of studies showing coconut oil’s efficacy for treating various conditions. As a topical rinse, or natural pre-wash conditioner, it has shown incredible benefits for those wanting to improve their hair. Used in tandem with TRX2® Food Supplement for Hair and a balanced diet, coconut oil will take hair to the next level.

The most noteworthy study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, showed that coconut oil is superior to mineral oil and other vegetable oils in terms of its protective effect on hair damage in the grooming process. Importantly, it has a powerful effect on undamaged, as well as chemically treated and sun-damaged hair. This is associated with the oil’s intrinsic biological properties. It penetrates into the hair shaft, reducing the amount of water that can be absorbed by the hair fibre, thereby reducing swelling. This action protects the cuticle and improved hair structure. Unlike other so-called hair oils, coconut is superior because of its molecular weight and penetrative power.

  • Anti-ageing effects protect against free radical damage
  • Coconut water was used in World War II in place of intravenous saline 

Coconut oil is also a wonder product for fighting dandruff and dry scalp. A study comparing coconut oil and mineral oil as skin moisturisers showed that coconut oil helps lock-in skin moisture. Considering the fact that the study participants had a condition called xerosis, which causes dry, rough skin and is associated with a defect in skin barrier function, both oils performed very well.

How do you use coconut oil for hair?

Cosmeticians have been recommending coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner for years and people have seen tremendous results. This method is backed by the scientific evidence mentioned above for preventing dry, brittle hair.

To keep hair shiny and full follow these simple instructions:

  1. 5-10 minutes before washing hair, take a small piece of coconut oil and warm up in hands
  2. Apply throughout hair, concentrating on midshaft to ends
  3. Shampoo and condition normally

Optionally, one may:

  1. Rub the oil into the scalp and roots if scalp is prone to dryness and dandruff
  2. Leave oil in hair overnight and wash in the morning
  3. For even more volume and sheen, TRX2® Thickening and Styling Cream can be used as needed.

Coconut oil is the best oil for hair

Coconut oil elevates any product one puts it in. Whether it's food, drink, or used as a rinse for hair, coconut oil is one of the only proven hair oils that works. It’s perfect for long-time sufferers of dry, brittle hair as well as those wanting to maintain and support their hair. The overall health benefits of this are enough to recommend it for daily use, or as an occasional treat for one’s precious locks.

To create the perfect environment for hair strength, growth, and maintenance, coconut oil has to be part of the arsenal. Proven by multiple studies to improve the structure and strength of hair from bulb to end makes coconut oil the perfect product for men and women everywhere.