Doing research on coconut oil actually makes me want to go and buy this oil right now!
The only coconut oil present in my current hair regimen is that found in my Cantu Shea Butter. Based on my reading, jojoba and coconut oil are first-equal as my favourites. Coconut oil is derived from the coconut palm (cocos nucifera).[i] It is one of those oils that has been heavily researched.
It is reputed to have the following benefits on hair:[ii]
1. Of the fatty acids in coconut oil 91% are saturated (these can completely penetrate the hair shaft) and 6% are monounsaturated (recently scientifically proven to penetrate human hair fibres).[iii] This gives hair fibres more structural strength thereby protecting hair from damage. 2. When hair is wet, it absorbs water and swells. As it dries it releases water and shrivels. The shrinking and swelling can lead to hair damaged called hygral fatigue. Coconut oil prevents hair damage from hygral fatigue by reducing the extent to which the hair swells. Mineral oil and sunflower oil, analysed in the same study, were not found to prevent protein loss. 3. Researchers have also found that coconut oil reduces/prevents protein loss from the hair fibre in both damaged and undamaged hair. Losing hair protein is what causes hair to look weak and damaged. 4. Coconut oil helps to retain moisture from inside the hair shaft. This helps to maintain hair elasticity. By conditioning and moisturising hair from within you reduce the likelihood of hair damage from styling, heating and environmental pollution. 5. Coconut oil is nutrient rich and as such helps to nourish the scalp creating an optimal environment for hair growth. Its skin moisturising qualities can help to treat dandruff problems. 6. It is remarkably also antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral due to the presence of medium chain fatty acids, notably lauric acid which forms 50% of the fatty acids found in coconut oil. You might also like: THE best oil for natural hair. A mega summary! The supersonic benefits of argan oil on natural black hair 6 fabulous benefits of avocado oil on natural hair 8 Benefits of Castor oil for natural hair & a warning! 8 great benefits of jojoba oil on natural hair 5 benefits of sweet almond oil on natural hair Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. References: [i] Coconut oil (wikipedia) [ii] Coconut Oil – What Your Hair Truly Deserves!; Secondary ion mass spectrometric investigation of penetration of coconut and mineral oils into human hair fibers: relevance to hair damage.; Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage.; Health Oils from the Tree of Life; [iii] Investigation of penetration abilities of various oils into human hair fibers
Avocado oil is derived from the fruit pulp of avocado (Persea americana). It has a fatty acid profile very similar to that of olive oil, in that it is very high in oleic acid. A typical avocado oil has:[i]
Avocado has the highest vitamin E content amongst fruit, according to the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition in California.[ii] Most fruits, being much higher in water than fat, contain higher levels of water-soluble vitamins e.g. A and C than fat-soluble vitamin E.
The benefits of avocado oil on hair: [iii]
1. Saturated and monounsaturated fats in avocado oil easily penetrate the hair cuticle thereby providing support to and strengthening the hair fibre. Only Jojoba has a higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids than Avocado oil. 2. The high concentration of monounsaturated fibres helps to retain hair moisture inside the cuticle. 3. Avocado oil helps to revive hair that has been dried, damaged or weakened by styling, relaxing, heat-styling and even environmental pollution. So if you have split end or frizzy hair, avocado oils would be a great addition to your hair care regimen. 4. Avocado is a light oil so it is easily absorbed by the scalp (and skin in general); it’s lightness makes it very useful as a base for essential oils (e.g. thyme, lavender, rosemary and cedarwood); essential oils cannot be applied to skin directly, however, their much more useful if diluted in a carrier which is itself rich nutrients such as avocado oil 5. The combination and concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E) and phtosterols helps to nourish, protect hair, stimulate growth and unclog blocked follicles. 6. Some argue that avocado oil can also help with hair loss and dandruff problems. These are the hair benefits, however, note that avocado oil has many other benefits including helping to clear acne and soften dry skin. Chemical composition: High in monounsaturated fatty acids, sterolins (reduce age spots, help to produce more skin collagen) and omega-3 fatty acids (help protect skin from UV rays). You might also like: THE best oil for natural hair. A mega summary! The supersonic benefits of argan oil on natural black hair 8 Benefits of Castor oil for natural hair & a warning! 6 top benefits of coconut oil - a MUST for every natural hair regimen! 8 great benefits of jojoba oil on natural hair 5 benefits of sweet almond oil on natural hair Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. [i] AOCS [ii] Why is avocado oil good for skin? (Livestrong) [iii] Avocado oil and hair growth (superfoodprofile)
Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa L.). Due to a 50% decline in argan trees over the last 100 years, UNESCO is running a conservation project in Morocco’s arganeraie forest where they come from. [i]
Argan oil is more resistant to oxidation than olive oil depending on the extraction method and contains two times more vitamin E than olive oil.
The benefits of argan oil on hair: [ii]
Chemical composition:[iii][iv]
Argan oil contains: fatty acids (80% of which are unsaturated; approximately half of these unsaturated fatty acids are monounsaturated and half are polyunsaturated), phenols, carotenes and squalene, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (VERY RICH), proteins and minerals. You might also like: THE best oil for natural hair. A mega summary! 6 fabulous benefits of avocado oil on natural hair 8 Benefits of Castor oil for natural hair & a warning! 6 top benefits of coconut oil - a MUST for every natural hair regimen! 8 great benefits of jojoba oil on natural hair 5 benefits of sweet almond oil on natural hair Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. [i] [iii] Argan (wikipedia) [ii] Argan Oil Society [iv] Argan oil (wikipedia) |
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By Heather Katsonga-Woodward
I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx Categories
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