Coconut oil has a long list of celebrity and hairstylist fans—including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and the Kardashian family—and while the ingredient itself might not be new, there appear to be new ways to use it all the time.
The benefits appear to be endless—and expert agree, when used correctly, coconut oil is fantastic for your hair. Miriam Quevedo, hairstylist and owner of the eponymous scalp care brand, is one of coconut oil’s superfans. “I like to use virgin coconut oil, which is pure oil harvested without chemical refining processes,” Quevedo says. “The coconut oil retails all of its nutritional vitamins and minerals and its content of biologically active and beneficial substances are preserved.” She adds that coconut oil not only has great moisturizing power but also antiviral and antimicrobial properties, less known to the rest of us who thought it only served to moisturize the hair.
Feeling inspired, we spoke to experts on all the different ways to harness the power of coconut oil for our hair. Here’s what we learned.
To control frizz and tame curls
This trick is not suitable for fine hair that tends to get greasy, but it works on thick or curly hair that tends to frizz, according to Alberto Sanguino, head of training at Llongueras, and David Lesur, training director at David Künzle. Sanguino advises applying it to clean, damp hair on the mid-lengths and ends “as if it were a mousse or gel.”
Pretreatment for hair and scalp
Quevedo explains that since coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and is perfect for moisturizing and softening the skin of the scalp, it can be a fantastic pre-treatment for hair and scalp. You can leave it on for up to 8 hours before rinsing and then washing the hair as normal. “All of the vitamins and fatty acids in coconut oil are very nourishing for hair,” she adds.
A quick hair mask
Hair stylist Moncho Moreno recommends using coconut oil as a quick version of the viral hair oiling treatment (or, in other words, slathering your hair in oil to treat it before washing). It consists of something as simple as applying coconut oil every time you wash your hair (during vacation) with dry or wet hair, from mid-lengths to ends, and letting it sit for about 5 minutes before washing.
As a styling wax and to create a wet effect
Loved by the Kardashians, Hadids, and more, the wet-look is all about hair looking wet—but here’s the thing, hair shouldn’t actually be wet. Use a small amount on dry hair and style to get the look.
Intensive repair treatment (long version)
Alberto Sanguino gives us a step-by-step guide: wash your hair with a detoxifying shampoo then apply the oil from mid-lengths to ends. Gather your hair into a bun, protecting it with a transparent film or shower cap, and apply heat for 2 or 3 minutes, at 15-minute intervals, 2 or 3 times. Then, rinse and wash your hair. Although you can leave it on for at least an hour after doing the heat processes, if you leave it on all day or sleep with your hair covered in oil, the hydration will be even more intense.
Massage Treatment
“Coconut oil is known for being antibacterial, while also deeply nourishing the skin,” says Jean Louis David. “It can help eliminate dryness or flakes.” Coat finger tips in warmed coconut oil and apply to scalp, using it as a slip for the massage.
