Over the last decade thanks to being referred to as a superfood, it seems everybody has gone crazy for coconut oil - yet not without good reason. Not only does it have a dreamy tropical scent to transport you to idyllic islands, it just happens to be brimming with benefits for our skin and hair too which is why it’s one of our core ingredients in the Hallelujah Hair Oil. So what makes it so great? Read on as we answer, why is coconut oil good for the hair?

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil as you may have guessed comes from coconuts - in particular, it’s the bright white fleshy part (the kernel) that it is extracted from. Widely used around the globe for cooking and cosmetics alike, it’s a multi-use vegetable oil packed with goodness.

Coconut Oil Hair Benefits

As we mentioned, coconut oil is full of goodness which is why from use in cooking (as a healthier alternative that may boost heart health and increase good cholesterol levels) to cosmetics (to protect our skin, hair and teeth), coconut oil has a number of benefits.

When it comes to our hair, coconut oil is a wonderful ingredient to help hydrate, restore and look after our locks. This is down to the unique makeup of highly saturated fats found in coconut oil that enable it to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft than other oils; meaning it works to prevent breakage by thoroughly moisturising your hair and also protecting the hair from environmental damages. 

It’s backed by science too with studies from the National Library of Medicine showing that coconut oil was also the only oil found to reduce the protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash product. 

We know that hair care is about more than just our actual hair, it’s about looking after the health of our scalp too and this is where coconut oil really comes into its own. The oil contains lauric acid, a natural antimicrobial that helps with common issues like inflammation, dry scalp, dandruff and itchiness. By using coconut oil or products containing the oil as part of your regular hair care routine, these fatty acids work to remove buildup and excess sebum, promoting a more cleansed, healthier scalp in the process.

Coconut Oil Hair Tips

One of the best things about using coconut oil for the hair is it suits all hair types and is vegan too. To make the most of introducing coconut oil into your hair care routine, these are our top tips:

• Use as a pre-wash treatment

Your hair is much more vulnerable and prone to damage when wet, and so in using coconut oil or a product containing coconut oil like our Hallelujah Hair Oil before you shampoo, this gives your hair an additional layer of protection before you get your hair wet. 

At Forest & Shore, we recommend trying to incorporate a pre-wash treatment once every couple of weeks, taking time to massage it into the scalp before leaving overnight and washing out the following day. This allows the oil time to reach the scalp and do it’s work there too! 

• Use before swimming

Just like the above, to help keep hair healthy you want to avoid putting unnecessary stress on your hair. If you regularly make a splash in the water, whether it’s swimming or surfing, apply coconut oil beforehand to give your hair the extra care it needs against the water.

• Use as a post-wash treatment

Yes, you can use hair oil before and after washing if you use it correctly. In fact, if you’re planning on using heat to dry or style your hair after washing, then applying our Hallelujah Hair Oil to the mid-lengths and ends of towel-dried hair will help to detangle, strengthen and smooth your hair.

Finally…

So there you have it - if you’ve been wondering why coconut oil is good for the hair, the list is endless and once you start using it for your hair, we can bet you’ll start using it in other aspects of your routines too!

If you’re new to coconut oil, discover our best-selling Hallelujah Hair Oil here.