Everything you need to know about coconut oil for hair and skin
Do your dry hair ends need a little extra care? You may already have coconut oil in your kitchen cupboard. Should you apply the oil to dry or wet hair, and how long should you leave it in? And what does it actually do for your skin? Let’s start at the beginning.
In brief
- Coconut oil is pressed from the white flesh of the coconut.
- It is solid when cool and melts in your hand.
- It can penetrate the hair shaft and makes dry hair softer.
- It softens dry skin on the body.
What is coconut oil good for?
Coconut oil makes your dry hair softer and your dry skin more supple.
- Dry hair: softer lengths with shine.
- Dry skin: softer and more supple skin on arms, legs and elbows.
Coconut oil gets its solid, creamy consistency from fatty acids. This is mainly due to a saturated fatty acid called lauric acid.1 If the jar is kept cool, the oil stays solid, but on a warm summer day it becomes liquid. The oil has not gone bad just because it changes consistency.
On the ingredient list, you will find coconut oil as Cocos Nucifera Oil.
Is coconut oil good for hair?
Yes, especially if your hair is dry or damaged. Coconut oil is one of the few oils that can penetrate the hair shaft itself rather than just sitting on the outside. This means your hair loses less protein during washing, whether it is healthy or damaged.1
At the same time, the oil forms a thin film around the hair shaft, so the hair absorbs moisture more slowly.2 Hair feels softer, is easier to comb and has more shine.
Does coconut oil give you more hair?
Coconut oil cares for fragile hair. But we know very little about whether it makes hair grow.3 Use it to care for the hair you already have.
How to use coconut oil in your hair
Apply coconut oil to dry hair before washing it. There is no set time for how long to leave it in. Some leave it in for just half an hour, while others sleep with it in. Enjoy a book or a warm bath while the coconut oil cares for your hair.
- Warm a small dab of oil between your palms until it melts.
- Distribute it through dry hair, mostly through the lengths and ends.
- Leave it in for as long as suits you.
- Wash it out thoroughly with shampoo, preferably twice, and finish with conditioner.
Good to know
If you have fine hair, use less oil. Avoid applying the oil to your scalp if it gets greasy easily.
If you only have a few minutes, choose a hair mask or conditioner that can be rinsed out quickly. See our hair oil and hair mask.
Is coconut oil good for skin?
Yes, especially if your skin is dry. Coconut oil softens dry skin and can add moisture.4 Apply a thin layer to your arms and legs after bathing, and enjoy how the oil melts as soon as it touches your warm skin.
Coconut oil has been assessed as safe as an ingredient in cosmetics.5 Stop if your skin becomes red or itchy.
Coconut oil on the face
You can use coconut oil on your face if your skin is dry. The oil can feel heavy on the skin, so use only a little, preferably in the evening.
Your skin determines whether you can use coconut oil without getting clogged pores. If you have oily skin or are prone to blemishes, choose a lighter oil or a cream made for your skin type. Always try a new product on a small area first, for example along your jaw.
Myth or fact?
Coconut oil makes hair grow.
Myth. We know very little about whether coconut oil makes hair grow. The oil does, however, make dry hair softer.
Coconut oil can replace sunscreen.
Myth. Coconut oil only has a low SPF and is not made to protect against the sun.7 Always use a proper sunscreen.
Solid coconut oil has gone bad.
Myth. The oil becomes solid when cool and liquid when warm. The oil has not gone bad just because it is solid.
The more oil, the better.
Myth. A small dab is enough. If you use too much oil, your hair becomes heavy and the oil is difficult to wash out.
Virgin, cold-pressed or refined coconut oil?
When choosing coconut oil, the words on the label tell you a little about how the oil is made.
- Virgin: The oil is pressed from fresh coconut flesh without high heat or chemical refining. It also stays fresh longer than refined oil.6
- Cold-pressed: The flesh is pressed while the temperature is kept low.
- Refined: The oil is purified after pressing.
- Organic: The term tells you how the palms are grown, but not how the oil feels in your hair.
Choose the oil that smells and feels best to you. If you love the scent of coconut, go for virgin oil.
Which oil is best for hair?
It depends on what care your hair needs. Coconut oil is lovely as a treatment before washing, especially for dry and thick hair. If you want a little shine in your ends after washing, a lighter oil is a good choice.
- Coconut oil: used as a treatment in dry hair before washing.
- Argan oil: a few drops add shine to lengths and ends.
- Jojoba oil: a light oil that does not weigh hair down.
Read more about argan oil and jojoba oil, or compare oils for skin.
When do you apply coconut oil to your hair?
- In dry hair, before washing it
- In wet hair right after washing
- Only on the scalp
Apply the oil to dry hair before washing, and wash it out thoroughly afterwards.
How much oil should you use?
- A small dab on the lengths and ends
- A generous handful
- Enough to cover all your hair
A small dab goes a long way. Too much oil makes hair heavy.
Can coconut oil replace sunscreen?
- Yes, on a cloudy day
- Yes, if you apply a thick layer
- No, always use a proper sunscreen
Coconut oil only has a low SPF, so it does not provide enough protection.
Our care products with coconut oil
At ECOOKING, we do not sell pure coconut oil. You can, however, find it in our hair mask, conditioner, lip scrub and 24 Hour Cream. In our products, coconut oil is mixed with other ingredients, so the effect may differ from that of pure coconut oil. Always follow the instructions on the product you use.
Treat your dry hair to our Hair Mask or Repair Conditioner. Care for your normal or fine hair with our Volume Conditioner. Care for your dry and sensitive skin with our fragrance-free moisturiser, 24 Hour Cream. If you are not happy with your care products, you have our 100 % satisfaction guarantee.
Hair Mask
Hair mask and conditioner in one for dry and damaged hair, reducing split end...
Repair Conditioner
Moisturising conditioner for dry hair that leaves hair silky soft and easy to...
Volume conditioner 250 ml
Our Volume Conditioner 250 ml conditions normal and fine hair, gives hair vol...
Lip Scrub 30 ml
Our Lip Scrub 30 ml removes dead skin cells from the lips, leaving them softe...
24 Hour Cream
Fragrance-free moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin that moisturises for up...
Frequently asked questions
Is coconut oil good for hair?
Yes, especially if your hair is dry or damaged. The oil can penetrate the hair shaft, so hair loses less protein during washing. It also makes hair softer.
Should coconut oil be applied to dry or wet hair?
To dry hair, before washing it. Distribute it through the lengths and wash it out thoroughly afterwards.
How long can coconut oil stay in your hair?
There is no set time. Some leave it in for half an hour, others overnight. Wash it out well with shampoo afterwards.
Is coconut oil good for skin?
Yes, especially if the skin on your body is dry. It becomes softer and gains more moisture. If you have oily skin, a lighter oil is often a better fit.
Is coconut oil good for the face?
Yes, if your skin is dry. Use only a little, preferably in the evening. If you have oily skin or are prone to blemishes, a lighter oil is a better choice.
Which coconut oil is best for hair?
Choose the one you like using best. Virgin coconut oil is gently pressed from fresh coconut flesh.
Can coconut oil replace sunscreen?
No. Coconut oil only has a low SPF and is not made to protect against the sun, so always use a proper sunscreen.
Sources
- Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2003. PubMed
- Keis K et al. Effect of oil films on moisture vapor absorption on human hair. Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2007. PubMed
- Phong C et al. Coconut, Castor, and Argan Oil for Hair in Skin of Color Patients: A Systematic Review. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2022. PubMed
- Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004. PubMed
- Burnett CL et al. Final report on the safety assessment of Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil and related ingredients. International Journal of Toxicology. 2011. PubMed
- Khan I et al. Virgin coconut oil: A comprehensive review of its health impacts and functional food applications. Food Chemistry: X. 2026. PubMed
- Kaur CD, Saraf S. In vitro sun protection factor determination of herbal oils used in cosmetics. Pharmacognosy Research. 2010. PubMed
