The use of natural oils for hair is becoming an interesting topic to talk about these days. Media and the internet are usually feeding the general public with information about different natural oils that can be good for your hair.
Why the hair? Well, some consumers dye their hair. Others apply chemicals to their hair to get the right curls or smooth, straight hair. It’s just the way our desire for better-looking hair goes. It is why parlors are very popular. But of course, using chemicals on our hair will naturally damage it, especially when it’s consistently used.
These treatments from parlors with their chemicals usually cause frizzy hair, dry hair, split ends, etc. So then, people naturally look for ways to treat these. Oil extracted from fruits such as coconut and olive is two of the best home remedies to treat your hair. Coconut oil may help treat these and other oils.
Coconut oil is the more popular oil when it comes to application both on skin and hair. Virgin coconut oil is the best choice to apply to the hair. Coconut oil consumption is unnecessary for this article because you don’t need to ingest it for better hair health.
The use of olive oil and coconut oil for hair care is widely discussed. But which oil is better for your hair? This article will give a few comparisons between these two healthy oils.
Coconut Oil vs. Olive Oil
What benefits can we get from these two natural oils? Let’s have a good comparison of the benefits of olive oil vs. coconut oil for hair.
Before anything else, let’s look at the difference between Coconut oil and Olive oil.
Both oils are excess of fruits–olive and coconut. The only obvious difference between the two is that coconut oil is the least healthier oil. See, olive oil, specifically extra virgin, is much lower in saturated fat and has more nutrients. Coconut oil has more saturated fat with a sweet flavor profile.
But Virgin Coconut Oil, a processed coconut oil, has more benefits. Its saturated fat is most likely not as risky as its unprocessed version. Of course, only if there’s coconut oil consumption. Virgin coconut oil is the most common version of coconut oil that people use for their hair. In contrast, olive oil is not as popular for hair use.
Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair
Coconut oil soothes dry scalp. It contains moisturizing properties that’ll keep your scalp away from dryness. This oil has vitamin E, proteins, and minerals that nourish your hair from roots to tips. This oil also adds shine and softness to your hair.
Coconut oil helps treat hair problems like dandruff, eczema, lice infestation, and bacterial and fungal infection. Coconut oil may or may not worsen the situation, depending on your allergies. Of course, it is best to look for professional medical advice before treating eczema and other skin-related issues.
Coconut oil enhances hair regrowth. The medium chain triglycerides and other nutrients in coconut oil can nourish your hair because they can go deep into hair follicles. It also helps prevent hair damage, breakage, and split ends.
Coconut oil slows down hair loss. You’ll have strong, healthy, and shiny hair if you apply coconut oil to your hair regularly. Just put a sufficient amount of oil on your hand when you’re in the shower and rub your palms together, then apply it. You can opt to leave the coconut oil on your hair for 24 hours or so. It is best to do this at night.
Coconut oil can serve as a hair conditioner. Be free from frizzy, dry, and dull hair with this great natural oil.
Olive Oil Benefits for Hair
Olive oil, having a thicker consistency than coconut oil, can provide a better moisturizing effect on your hair. This remedy is even possible with thick and curly types of hair.
You can use olive oil as a hair serum after washing your hair. This treatment helps keep your hair from looking dry, dull, and frizzy.
Olive oil helps treat scalp burns, small cuts, and wounds. It can also manage dandruff and add nourishment to your scalp.
Is It Safe to Leave Natural Oils On Your Hair?
You won’t be harmed by either oil, but whether you choose to leave it in depends on which oil you have and how you want your hair to feel and appear. Depending on how much oil you use and how oily you feel comfortable leaving your hair, you may or may not want to leave any oil in your hair.
You can rinse your hair and some olive oil or coconut oil will still be present because they are both somewhat absorbed by the hair follicles. Washing your hair will not completely remove the oil, leaving your hair more moisturized, lustrous, and healthier as long as you give the oil time to be absorbed.
Olive oil is preferred as a way to condition and hydrate hair rather than as a treatment to leave in all day because it tends to make hair look more oily. Coconut oil is the best product to leave in to produce a shining appearance because it won’t leave behind as much of an oily residue.
Due to its ability to stop protein loss in the hair shaft, which certain people are sensitive to, some people find that keeping coconut oil in their hair causes “crunchy” or stiff hair.
Conclusion
When it comes to the components of these two oils, coconut oil has more medium chain triglyceride oil, mainly of lauric acid. On the other hand, Olive has more oleic acid, a monosaturated fat.
When it comes to the smell of these two oils, coconut oil may have a more distinct tropical scent compared to olive. But there are refined types that clear impurities and reduce the nutty smell of coconut oil.
Though these two natural oils have different compositions and plant sources, they can help prevent heart diseases when not taken in excessive amounts.
Both oils contain antioxidants that help keep your scalp from sun and chemical damage. The antioxidants can also protect us from skin diseases.
Coconut oil and olive oil promote healthy hair growth, protect against hair damage, and prevent hair and scalp problems. Whether you use refined coconut oil or extra virgin coconut oil, you’ll get almost the same result. Some people combine them to get the most benefits from these two oils.
Unrefined coconut oil is raw. Therefore the fatty acids it contains could affect your hair. These fatty acids are called lauric acid. It is always good to remember that every person’s hair strand is different, especially how our scalp reacts to certain things. Coconut oils are good, of course, as long as they’re compatible with your skin type. Extra virgin coconut oil is a much safer option because it is processed coconut oil.
If it’s about going to the store to purchase coconut oil, that won’t be a problem if an actual coconut is within reach. If you have fresh coconut meat, squeeze it for its juice, let it undergo a heating process to extract its oil, then you will be able to store coconut oil for yourself.
In the 2003 issue of the ‘Journal of Cosmetic Science,’ a research study reported that coconut oil could penetrate deep into the roots of the hair.
When used before and after hair wash treatment, coconut oil protects your hair from protein loss and damage. Combining olive oil with coconut oil will moisturize your hair and scalp and prevent dandruff formation.
If you want this powerful hair treatment formula, use a 1:1 ratio of coconut oil to olive oil. Warm the mixture and apply the oil to your hair properly. Leave it for at least 20 minutes and wash it afterward.
You can also wrap your oil-treated hair with a saran wrap or towel and leave it overnight. Wash your hair the next day and see how shiny and beautiful your hair will become. Other than that, Coconut oil and olive have good health benefits when used right. They’re not just limited to hair.