How to Use Coconut Oil on Your Hair and Skin
Four Methods:Conditioning Your HairHydrating Your FaceMoisturizing Your BodyUsing Coconut Oil in Other WaysCommunity Q&A
Using coconut oil is a wonderful natural way to make your hair and skin soft, radiant, and healthy. Coconut oil is natural and contains no harmful chemicals. Toss out your deep conditioners, under-eye creams, and lotions - you don't need them anymore! A jar of unrefined coconut oil is an all-purpose moisturizer great for all skin and hair variations. If you want to learn how to use coconut oil on your hair and skin, keep reading.
Method1
EditConditioning Your Hair
1Put on old clothes. Coconut oil can get a little drippy, so put on an old t-shirt or drape a towel around your shoulders to prevent it from getting on your nice clothes. It's best to start the conditioning treatment in your bathroom, but you'll be able to move around while you let it soak into your hair for a few hours.
2Choose a covering for your hair. You can use a plastic shower cap, a large sheet of plastic wrap, or a second old t-shirt to wrap up your hair. Choose something you'll be able to keep in place for several hours, or even overnight.
3Measure 3 - 5 tablespoons of coconut oil into a bowl. The amount of coconut oil you'll need depends on the length and thickness of your hair. If you have long, thick hair, use 5; if your hair is shorter and thinner, you only need 3 or 4.- Use unrefined, cold pressed (not refined or solvent extracted). Refined coconut oil has additives and is put through processes that remove some of the natural compounds that make it so healthy for your hair and skin. Unrefined coconut oil is complete in its natural, healthy goodness. Similarly, solvent extracted oil usually contains traces of the hazardous hexane solvent.
- Make sure not to use too much; focus the oil on the middle section and bottom of your hair. If too much is used, especially near the scalp, this can cause the hair to look greasy even when washed out thoroughly. Your hair produces its own natural oils that come from the scalp.
4Warm up the coconut oil. Avoid the microwave oven as it can destroy the bio-active compounds.- You can melt coconut oil with your hands. Melt one tablespoon at a time by holding it between your palms and gently rubbing them together. Coconut oil melts with very little heat.
- Heat a small saucepan or bowl on the stove. Remove from flame and pour the oil into the bowl. Let it melt and get warm.
- You can also heat up coconut oil on the stove. Scoop it into a small saucepan and heat it up over low heat until it has just melted.
- You can also heat up coconut oil by running the jar under hot water in a sink until it melts which will only take a few seconds.
5Rub the coconut oil into your hair. Pour the coconut oil around the top of your head, evenly distributing it on your hair, but you might want to avoid the scalp and roots unless your hair is especially dry. Use your fingers to massage it in and smooth it down your hair shaft all the way to the tips. Continue massaging it into your hair until your hair is completely drenched in coconut oil.- You can use a comb to help you distribute the oil evenly. Pull it down from your roots to your tips.
- You may just want to condition the ends of your hair, rather than the roots. If that's the case, apply the coconut oil to the ends of your hair instead of pouring it over your scalp. Massage it in with your hands.
6Pile your hair on your head and cover it. Place your shower cap, plastic wrap, or old t-shirt over your head and wrap it up so that your hair is completely covered.- You can secure your hair with a loose hair band to help it all stay wrapped up on top of your head.
- Use a towel to wipe away drips that might have gotten on your face during the wrapping process.
7Wait at least 2 hours or overnight. The longer you keep it in your hair, the more conditioned your hair will be. Wait as long as you can manage for best effect.
8Remove the wrapping and wash your hair. Use a sulfate-free shampoo to wash out the coconut oil. Wash it two or three times, until your hair no longer feels oily.
9Let your hair dry. Let it air dry or blow it dry to see the effects of the conditioning treatment. It should be soft, shiny and gleaming after this special coconut oil application.
Method2
EditHydrating Your Face
1Perform your normal face cleansing routine. Whether you lightly splash your face with water, exfoliate it with a brush, or use the oil cleansing method, go ahead and wash your face. Pat it dry with a soft towel, making sure not to pull at your skin - your facial skin is fragile, and a lot of pulling and tugging can cause damage.
2Rub a little coconut oil around your eyes. Coconut oil is a wonderful undereye and eyelid cream. It helps moisturize that paper-thin skin, improving dark circles and keeping wrinkles at bay. Rub a tiny amount around your eyes, focusing on areas that have wrinkles.- You probably only need a pea-sized amount for each eye. Take care not to use too much.
- Avoid getting the coconut oil in your eyes. It will thinly coat your eyes, making your vision blurry for a little while!
3Apply coconut oil sparingly to other dry areas. If you tend to get a very dry patch between your eyebrows, at your temples, or in another spot, apply a small amount of coconut oil there. Rub it in gently using a circular motion.
4Rub coconut oil on your lips. Unrefined coconut oil will soften and moisturize chapped lips. It's completely edible, so there's no need to worry about ingesting a little. In fact, eating coconut oil is great for your health.
5Use coconut oil as a face cream. Put it on after a shower or after washing your face. Let it absorb into your skin for 10 minutes before applying makeup. You only need about a dime-sized amount to cover your whole face.- Some people experience breakouts when they use coconut oil all over. Experiment by using coconut oil on just one patch of skin for a few days. If you like the effect and see no signs of the breakout, use it all over.
- You can use coconut oil for the oil cleansing method, too. Again, be careful if your pores are prone to get clogged. You can cut coconut oil with castor oil if you're worried it will be too rich for your skin.
