Refinery 29 on Coconut Oil for Hair Care

Refinery 29: What kind of hair products are best used overnight? Any specific recommendations?

KC: Coconut Oil is an excellent overnight treatment. It’s natural and straightforward, with numerous benefits for your hair.

Free of alcohols, silicones, and other chemicals that can aggravate your scalp and strip hair of its essential nutrients, coconut oil can deeply penetrate the hair, repairing, protecting, and restoring it from the inside out. Lauric acid, capric acid, and vitamins E and K improve hair strength and scalp health by preventing protein loss. In addition, the antibacterial nature of coconut oil helps the scalp against itchiness and various infections, keeping hair healthy and dandruff free.

Beautiful shine is the icing on the cake. 

Refinery 29: Why do they work better overnight?

KC: Coconut oil for hair care mask treatments allows the fatty acids to bind with the proteins in the hair, sealed in protection and trapping in moisture. An overnight treatment allows the oil to work wonders, resulting in incredibly soft, silky, and shiny hair.

Refinery 29: Are there some that are easier to sleep in?

KC: Some people find overnight treatments are a bit of a pain. There’s no natural way around the shower cap or a towel on top of your pillow and linens. But we rest easy knowing we’re using an all-natural product with no adverse effects.

Refinery 29: How do you apply them? Take them off?

KC: It is best to apply hair masks on wet hair for smoother and more even product distribution. Brushing and dividing the hair into sections is also recommended. Good preparation makes everything easier!

We like to start with the ends and get some serious work done with coconut oil. (You can use more oil where your hair is the driest and most damaged, usually on the ends).

* Those with extremely dry, damaged hair may find it beneficial to also use a small amount of coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner and styling aid. The oil can be used on wet or dry hair, helping to control flyaways and frizz.

To remove the hair mask, wash your hair with shampoo/condition as you would regularly. Note that coconut oil for hair care is so hydrating, so your hair will likely be flat on the first day. Plan accordingly!

Refinery 29: How do you sleep comfortably with them in your hair?

KC: Either tie your hair up or wear a shower cap. Sleeping with a hair mask on can be a pain for some people, but we like coconut oil because we know it’s natural, and there isn’t much to stress about.

Refinery 29: How do you ensure it doesn’t drip on your skin? Get on sheets?

KC: When applying hair masks, start at the roots and work up to the scalp. This application method will help reduce the amount of product on your skin. Coconut oil is perfect because it absorbs into the hair exceptionally well, and even if a little gets on your skin, there is nothing to worry about.

Another option is to wear a bandana along your hairline to minimize the product getting on your skin during application. It is best to constantly tie your hair up or wear a shower cap after applying the hair mask. Place a towel over your pillows to ensure that it doesn’t get onto your linens while you sleep.

Refinery 29: What is the best hairstyle to sleep in?

KC: Either a bun or braid, as leaving your hair loose will have more chances of getting the hair mask on your linens and skin while you sleep.

Refinery 29: Is there any position to sleep in that is best?

KC: We find sleeping on our back the most comfortable keeping things in place and not noticing the hair mask. If you’re a tosser and turner, we recommend wearing a shower cap to keep things neat.

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