Coconut Oil for Hair: Benefits, Uses & Best Practices (Ultimate Guide)🥥

Is Coconut Oil Really the Best for Hair? Here's What Science Says

Coconut oil has long been a go-to ingredient for hair care—but is it truly the best choice, or are there better alternatives? While traditional coconut oil offers hydration, shine, and protection, new research suggests fractionated coconut oil and caprylic/capric triglycerides might be more effective for deeper repair and scalp health.

In this Ultimate Guide, we'll explore the real benefits of coconut oil, how it compares to fractionated coconut oil and caprylic/capric triglycerides, and the best ways to use it for stronger, healthier hair.

How Does Coconut Oil Benefit Hair? Science-Backed Insights

Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) is packed with fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that nourish the hair and scalp. It contains:
✅ Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) → Lauric acid (C12), capric acid (C10), caprylic acid (C8)
✅ Vitamins E & K → Powerful antioxidants that protect against damage
✅ Calcium, iron & zinc → Strengthen hair strands
✅ Polyphenols → Improve scalp health and circulation

These components make coconut oil a hydrating, conditioning, and protective ingredient for hair.

Coconut Oil vs. Fractionated Coconut Oil vs. Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides

With all the buzz about fractionated coconut oil right now, we thought we'd start off with this. Which Is Best for Hair? A Scientific Comparison

Oil Type	Absorption Rate	Best for Hair Type	Key Benefits
Coconut Oil	Moderate	Dry, damaged hair	Moisturizes, protects protein
Fractionated Coconut Oil	Fast	Fine, oily hair	Lightweight hydration, non-greasy
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides	Very Fast	All hair types	Deep hydration, scalp health

🔹 Key Takeaway: While coconut oil is effective, fractionated coconut oil and caprylic/capric triglycerides penetrate faster, absorb better, and provide deeper scalp nourishment. Read more about the difference between fractionated and caprylic/capric triglycerides here. 

How Save Me From’s Fenugen™ Uses Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides for Hair Repair

Save Me From’s Tip to Root Hair Repair Treatments utilize caprylic/capric triglycerides derived from organic coconut, rapeseed, and corn to:
✅ Deeply hydrate and repair damaged hair
✅ Strengthen follicles and promote healthy growth
✅ Soothe scalp irritation and reduce inflammation
✅ Protect against environmental stressors

This advanced Fenugen™ technology ensures maximum bioavailability, allowing caprylic/capric triglycerides to restore scalp health and fortify weakened strands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coconut Oil for Hair

1. Does Coconut Oil Prevent Hair Damage?

Yes! Coconut oil reduces protein loss, strengthens hair, and prevents breakage (Journal of Cosmetic Science).

2. Is Coconut Oil a Heat Protectant?

Somewhat! Coconut oil has a smoke point of 350-400°F, but Save Me From Thermal Obsession offers 450-degree heat protection.

3. Can Coconut Oil Fix Split Ends?

It can reduce the appearance but won’t permanently repair them—for true bond repair, use Save Me From Chemical Conflict Hair Repair with creatine and biomimetic keratin.

4. Is Fractionated Coconut Oil Better for Hair?

For fine or oily hair, yes—fractionated coconut oil is lighter, non-greasy, and absorbs faster than traditional coconut oil.

9 Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair

• Coconut Oil Increase Hair Shine and Moisture – When you first think about adding coconut oil to your hair routine, the first benefits that come to mind are the ability of coconut oil to increase hair moisture and shine. Coconut oil in hair lays down your cuticles on the outside of the hair shaft. When your cuticles are moisturized and sealed, that’s when your hair looks much shinier and vibrant.
• Coconut Oil Prevents Frizz – Frizzy hair can be unmanageable hair. It can make hair look dry and tangle more easily. The GOOD news is frizzy hair is fixable! Frizziness is caused when the cell membrane complex swells with water. Too much water can cause the hair shaft to swell, which then lifts the cuticles, makes hair look frizzy and lose hair’s smooth texture. Coconut oil can help seal the cuticle and reduce water absorption into the hair, especially in humidity. Reducing water absorption into the hair, helps to smoothen the cuticle and stop frizzy hair.
• Coconut Oil Helps Detangle Hair – Going hand-in-hand with improving moisture and reducing frizz, is reducing tangles. When your hair is tangled, it is often because the cuticles are lifted and catching onto each other. The lifting of the cuticle is potentially caused by many types of damage and is the reason why hair not only tangles, but also causes the cell membrane complex to swell with too much moisture (frizziness) and lose shine. Using coconut oil can help the hair cuticles behave better so hair cuticles lay flat and are less prone to tangles.
• Coconut Oil Helps Condition the Hair – Many people love the deep conditioning properties of coconut oil. An overnight application of coconut oil hair mask allows for a slow and controlled penetration of coconut oil’s nutrients deep into the hair shaft. From there, the principal fatty acid, lauric acid with a straight medium sized chain and weighing less than other oils like sunflower oil or mineral oil, can penetrate further.
• Coconut Oil Prevents Hair Damage, Protein Loss, and Keratin Damage – In a 2003 report published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, researchers noted that coconut oil was effective in preventing hair damage. Coconut oil was found to reduce protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product. The results were credited to coconut oil’s composition containing high concentrations of lauric acid. This specific fatty acid is incredibly important because it not only is of low molecular weight and a medium chain, but it is also linear. This weight, size and linear shape allows coconut oil to penetrate the hair more easily and effectively than many other oils, however there are other natural oils rich in lauric acid such as Babassu oil. After penetrating the hair, the lauric acid in coconut oil has an affinity (liking) for hair protein. Coconut oil’s attraction to hair protein and keratin helps reduce the amount of water absorbed into your hair, reduce protein loss and reduce hair damage. Another similar study found the affinity of coconut oil to hair protein reduced the process of hair swelling and deswelling. This process of water moving in and out of the hair is called hygral fatigue and is one of the major causes of hair damage. This study showed that coconut oil, which is a better penetrant than many other oils, provided better protection from damage by hygral fatigue.

• Coconut Oil Can Help Fix Split Ends - Split ends are a type of hair damage, but located at the ends of your hair. This is the section of your hair is the oldest and thus has incurred the most damage, is the driest and weakest part of your hair. Just as we've mentioned before, coconut oil has the ability to travel to the core, protecting hair protein and helping to laying down and seal the cuticle. These coconut oil benefits can help reduce the look and prevention of split ends to an extent but unfortunately, split end repair from coconut oil alone will leave you disappointed. It takes a village when it comes to split end repair, which is why we recommend using a product like Save Me From Chemical Conflict Bond Building Hair Repair that is formulated with bond repairing ingredients like creatine, biomimetic keratin and vegan proteins to help reduce split ends.
• Coconut Oil Can Help Hair During Heat Styling – Next time you jump out of the shower and your hair is still damp, warm a little dab of coconut oil between hands and apply to hair before heat styling. Coconut oil is considered a natural heat protectant and because coconut oil helps reduce hygral fatigue (water swelling and deswelling the hair), it will also help protect your hair from damaged caused by too much swelling while also helping to seal in moisture. It has a smoke point of about 350 degrees Fahrenheit but can be as high as 400 degrees if using a refined coconut oil. If you want to turn the dial higher than 350 degrees, we recommend using a product like Save Me From Thermal Obsession. This heat protectant not only offers 450-degree heat protection, but it also helps reduce frizz and repairs heat damaged hair.
• Does Coconut Oil Block UV Rays? No. Although we’d love to tell you coconut oil is a wonderall that can protect your skin and hair from UV damage, it just isn’t as effective as a physical blocking or chemical sunscreen. Coconut oil is estimated to provide a sun protection factor of a little less than 8. Coconut oil is not an approved OTC ingredient for providing sun protection and it will not protect your skin against skin cancer. It is best to find an OTC monographed and proven SPF of 30 or higher. OK, now that we have that covered…. You should still use coconut oil when you go out into the sun. Protein degradation is most caused by sun exposure. In a 2008 study in Croatia, researchers found that UVB radiation causes protein loss and UVA radiation causes color loss. Protein loss causes the hair shaft to weaken, while color loss shows how deep the UVA rays go as melatonin is in the core of our hair shaft. A coconut oil hair mask goes deep and protects every part of the hair shaft to keep it from incurring damage. So, you should still wear a little coconut oil as a leave-in treatment for your hair before going out to enjoy the sun!
• Can I Use Coconut Oil on Hair Before Swimming? Yes. Coconut oil can help stop swimmer’s hair and swim proof your hair. Natural oils like coconut oil can be used as a leave-in chlorine protectant for hair to help reduce hair damage caused by chlorine. Coconut oil can provide a protective layer for hair to protect against the chemicals in the pool, including chlorine or salt from being absorbed into your strands and drying out hair. We love Save Me From Sun + Sweat Hair Repair because it not only contains coconut oil but other ingredients that help to protect and repair against damage to swimmer’s hair.

 

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Scalp

• Coconut Oil Helps Reduces Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and May Help Those with Middle to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis – Aside from the obvious fact that coconut oil can help relieve dry and itchy skin, as well as relieve a dry and itchy scalp, coconut oil can help preserve skin hydration and is a good source of antioxidants with anti-inflammatory benefits. In a study published in International Journal of Dermatology, topical application of coconut oil for eight weeks was superior in results compared to mineral oil. In another study, the topical use of virgin coconut oil was shown to bring about anti-inflammatory activity that helped improve barrier function.
• Coconut Oil Helps Improve Scalp Microbiome and May Be Beneficial for Dandruff – In a 16-week study published in Scientific Reports in 2021 evaluating is coconut oil good for the scalp, they found that coconut oil helped maintain a healthy scalp and help modulate a good scalp microbiome. Check out microbiome-friendly scalp products.
• Coconut Oil for Hair Growth? Although coconut oil has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic hair rituals, there is not much evidence that coconut oil itself can help with hair growth, however, many times hair loss is often confused with hair breakage. Because coconut oil can help prevent protein loss and hair damage, it can be helpful in reducing hair loss due to hair breakage (not hair fall).

How to Use Coconut Oil for Hair Care - or – How to Make a DIY Coconut Oil Mask

Coconut oil is found in many conditioners to help moisturize and hydrate the hair and nourish the scalp. If you have dry, damaged hair, you might consider applying straight virgin coconut oil from your kitchen pantry directly to your hair.  Coconut oil on hair can help. It will not only help repair hair damage, but its nourishing compounds can also help make your hair stronger and healthier. Here are a few questions you might have and the best step-by-step tips for using coconut oil at home.

1) How often can you use coconut oil on hair? Although you can find products with coconut oil that are appropriate for daily use, when applying a DIY coconut oil mask for hair, we recommend doing this about once a week, and up to three times a week. Before starting, be sure you’re properly prepped. We recommend using unrefined, virgin coconut oil to ensure it is not chemically processed. Coconut oil is typically solid at room temperature and should be warmed. You can do this by rubbing it between your hands or gently melt it in a microwave. Also, because coconut oil slowly penetrates the hair strand, its best to leave coconut oil on the hair for a few hours to overnight. We recommend applying your DIY coconut oil mask at night and using a hair wrap.

2) Should I put coconut oil on dry or wet hair? We recommend starting with clean, damp hair divided into 3 to 6 sections. Although you may have read the suggestion to apply coconut oil to dry hair, we don’t agree. When hair is wet, the cuticles are prepped to allow coconut oil to penetrate more easily. Slightly damp hair followed by wrapping hair with a hot towel will allow for optimal penetration. 

3) How much coconut oil should I use? Always apply in moderation. Start with a tablespoon or two and melt more if needed. Apply melted coconut oil from ends to roots. Again, this is where our suggestion may differ from others. Since hair is older, dryer and more damaged at the ends, it is best to start the application of product from the ends and work your way up to scalp. Now, this does not mean to run the product up from tips to the roots in one long swoop but rather slide the oil on the sectioned hair by using a downward motion while working your way up inch by inch. The goal should be to apply more coconut oil midshaft of the hair to the tips with only using a small amount that will be gently massaged on the scalp. Repeat this per section of damp hair until every strand feels coated.

4) How long should you leave coconut oil in your hair? Use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution of the coconut oil on hair and to prevent tangles. Then gently twist hair all together into a loose topknot, ensuring that the hair is not wrapped too tightly. Using a warm towel, wrap hair so your pillow doesn’t get gunky (and the heat from the towel can help optimize the coconut oil on hair) and leave in overnight.

5) Should I wash my hair after applying coconut oil? The following morning, you will shampoo and condition the coconut oil out of your hair. But first, let the steam build in the shower to allow the steam and heat to reactivate the coconut oil a little further. You may also soak your towel in hot water and wrap once more around hair before shampooing.

6) Can I use coconut oil instead of conditioner? Check to ensure all the coconut oil feels removed from your hair. You may have to repeat your wash until your hair feels clean. Then follow with conditioner as normal. You may use coconut oil alongside your conditioner, but conditioners contain other beneficial ingredients for hair to ensure the hair is hydrated, moisturized, detangled and more manageable.

7) Can I leave coconut oil in my hair? Yes, in moderation. After rinsing out your conditioner and towel drying your hair, you may apply a dab of warmed coconut oil to ends of hair or better yet, your favorite Save Me From Tip to Root Hair Reboot Treatment to seal in moisture, build bonds and improve your hair health. Want to know how to treat split ends, frizz and hair damage caused by heat styling? Using coconut oil as a leave in hair treatment is a great way to manage damage from heat styling and split ends. Massage warm coconut oil into your clean, damp hair before you style it. With straight coconut oil, you’ll want to make sure to apply it from midshaft to the ends of your hair. With Save Me From Tip to Root Hair Reboots, they are formulated for application from the ends of the hair to the scalp. That way, hair damage can be treated higher up the hair shaft without weighing the hair down.  

What Other Natural Ingredients Work Best with Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is an amazing emollient that can help preserve and protect hair protein while helps to reduce hygral fatigue but to have your healthiest hair, we recommend using coconut oil alongside some other great ingredients to condition, repair, and add shine to your hair. The list the best hair repair ingredients is endless, but these are some of our favorites that compliment coconut oil well. The amount of each ingredient used will depend on the desired results, but combining these natural elements creates a nutrient-rich treatment that will leave your hair soft and healthy looking!

• Phospholipids – These skin-identical ingredient not only help the skin and scalp, but they’re also important for the hair. They can work similar to hyaluronic acid for hair, providing hydration and a lightweight protective layer. Ready more about the benefits of phospholipids for the hair
• Creatine – Coconut oil can help protect and preserve your hair bonds but what happens when your hair is already damaged or your hair is damaged by chemicals? This is where the importance of hair bond repair steps in. Creatine for hair, not to be confused with Keratin but a friend of keratin, is the bond building powerhouse for hair you should add to your routine.  
• Hemisqualane – This lightweight oil derived from fermented sugar cane works similar to hyaluronic acid for hair but with silicone-free benefits for hair.
• Fenugen – When you’re searching for a nutrient rich ingredient that checks all the boxes, you stop at Fenugen. Made from concentrated fenugreek for hair and scalp benefits, it gives the scalp a needed boost.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Coconut oil is a staple in hair care, but new research shows fractionated coconut oil and caprylic/capric triglycerides may offer even better hydration and repair.

In Save Me From’s Tip to Root Hair Repair Treatments, Fenugen™ technology harnesses caprylic/capric triglycerides from organic coconut, rapeseed, and corn, delivering maximum scalp and strand restoration.

For the best results, choose highly absorbent oils that match your hair needs!

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Kaur, Chanchal Deep, and Swarnlata Saraf. "In vitro sun protection factor determination of herbal oils used in cosmetics." Pharmacognosy research 2.1 (2010): 22.

Ruetsch SB, Kamath YK, Rele AS, Mohile RB (2001) Secondary ion mass spectrometric investigation of penetration of coconut and mineral oils into human hair fibers: relevance to hair damage. J Cosmet Sci 52(3):169–184

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Sebetić K, Sjerobabski Masnec I, Cavka V, Biljan D, Krolo I. UV damage of the hair. Coll Antropol. 2008;32 Suppl 2:163-165.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.

Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, Dilip N, Raghuraman M, Pavan KB, Rafiq M, Paramesh R. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018 Jan 17;9(1):5-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012. PMID: 30671361; PMCID: PMC6335493.

Wallace, Taylor C. "Health effects of coconut oil—A narrative review of current evidence." Journal of the American College of Nutrition 38.2 (2019): 97-107.