Do you want to find out why coconut oil doesn’t seem to work for your hair? In today’s post, we’ll answer the question: Is coconut oil good for low porosity hair hair?
Let’s go over why it may not be the magic solution and what you can use instead to get soft, moisturized hair!
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It may surprise you to learn that the oil that’s often hailed as a miracle solution for getting soft, moisturized hair might actually do the opposite for some hair types.
For those with low porosity hair, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of your hair resisting oils and moisture. You apply coconut oil and it just sits there on top of your hair, not absorbing.
You’re using coconut oil treatments and your hair still feels dry and unmoisturized.
You use coconut oil because you’ve always heard it’s THE oil to lock in moisture and make hair smoother and feel softer. But this could be doing much more harm than good.
Not all oils work the same for every hair type, and your hair porosity is a big factor in whether or not they’ll give you results.
But if you have low porosity hair, there is one change that can make all the difference in getting results from coconut oil!
Whether you want to solve scalp issues, get softer hair or reduce breakage, these tips will get you on your way. Keep reading to find out the truth about using coconut oil on low porosity hair.
Is Coconut Oil Good for Low Porosity Hair?
Low porosity hair refers to hair with tightly sealed cuticles. It tends to be more common with those who have curly or kinky hair.
This hair type tends to resist moisture, and it can be hard for many products to absorb into the hair.
Because of this, it can be challenging to keep it hydrated and feeling healthy. Read more about low porosity hair here.
Coconut oil can provide benefits, but it also has its downsides. Here’s the good and the bad:
Pros: What’s Coconut Oil Good For?
Coconut oil can have amazing benefits for many hair types.
It can help to heal a flaky scalp, dandruff and scalp itching. It can lock in moisture to keep your strands feeling soft and hydrated.
It’s able to penetrate the hair shaft, helping to smooth the strands. This aids in making hair look shinier and reduces frizz.
Plus, it’s effective in reducing protein loss from the hair, helping to reduce damage. We want to keep our hair strong!
For low porosity hair, coconut oil can be helpful to use when finger detangling, as it can add a lot of slip to the strands.
The protection from environmental damage is a benefit too. However, there are some drawbacks…
Cons: Coconut Oil on Low Porosity Hair
If you have low porosity hair, these are some of the things you may experience when using coconut oil:
- It sits on the surface of the hair, not absorbing
- Hair feels heavy, greasy and weighed down
- Very difficult to wash out, leading to constant buildup
- Hair doesn’t feel softer or moisturized after using it
- Limp looking strands
- Buildup on the scalp, causing clogged hair follicles
Using regular coconut oil may be a huge mistake for low porosity hair. So…what can you use instead?
Alternatives to Regular Coconut Oil
1: Fractionated Coconut Oil
Fractionated coconut oil can be an amazing alternative for coconut oil on low porosity hair.
Just making the simple switch to this oil could make all the difference in your results!
It’s made from regular coconut oil, and has gone through a process called fractionation that removes some of the fatty acids.
This results in the oil being in a liquid state that doesn’t solidify like regular coconut oil does.
Because of the process it goes through, it is left without a scent or taste – which is great if you aren’t a fan of coconut (same here).
Fractionated coconut oil is awesome because it absorbs into the hair (and skin) better than regular coconut oil. This means it’s less likely to leave a greasy feeling on your hair.
Also, it’s less likely to clog your pores so that’s great news for your scalp! Fractionated coconut oil makes a great carrier oil if you want to use essential oils to boost your hair health.
Here are some great essential oils you can use for a DIY scalp treatment.
2: Lightweight Oils
If neither types of coconut oil work for your hair, don’t worry! There are other alternatives that may be better for you.
Using oils that are very light in consistency may be a better solution, and they won’t leave your hair feeling greasy and heavy. Some incredible lightweight oils include:
- Sweet almond oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Jojoba oil
- Read the rest in this post all about the best oils for low porosity hair!
Oil Tips for Low Porosity Hair
- When using any kind of oil on low porosity hair, start with a small amount. A little goes a long way so start small and see how your hair feels
- Apply the oil to damp hair, to make it easier to distribute and help it to penetrate the hair shaft
- Ensure to regularly wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo
- Use oils sparingly – avoid using them every day so your hair doesn’t end up feeling overly oily
- You may find that the best time to use oils is as a pre-shampoo treatment, rather than as a leave-in after washing
When using any oil for the first time, be sure to do a patch test to ensure you don’t have any allergies.
FAQ’s
How often should I use coconut oil on low porosity hair?
If you want to find out if coconut oil works for your hair, start with once per week. Experiment with it, and find the frequency that is best for you!
What oils should low porosity hair avoid?
This hair type should avoid oils that are heavy and thick, that would not absorb well into the hair shaft. Castor oil would be an example of this.
You may also want to avoid using shea butter (or use it sparingly), because it is very thick in texture and may sit on the hair making it feel greasy.
Coconut oil can be a great natural solution for things like scalp flakes, dryness, and rough strands, but it has drawbacks for low porosity hair.
Experiment with the alternatives mentioned in this post and see what works for you. Have you tried fractionated coconut oil yet?
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