Do You Put Coconut Oil on Wet or Dry Hair? The Best Ways to Lock in Moisture

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Thinking about using coconut oil in your hair? You’ve made a wise choice! Depending on how you use it, coconut oil is a great way to protect your hair, lock in moisture, or keep those luscious locks just generally healthy. But knowing when to use it can be a challenge. As anyone who has experimented with the oil is sure to have noticed, the impact on wet or dry hair can be slightly different. If you’re curious about the optimal time to work coconut oil into your hair, we’ve got you covered!

Question 1 of 6:

Is it better to put coconut oil in wet or dry hair?

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    If you put the oil in dry hair, it will get some protection from the elements. If you put the oil in wet hair, it will help to lock in nutrients and moisture to keep your hair healthy and smooth. They’re both good options, so feel free to use it with either wet or dry hair. You can even use it in your dry hair, shower an hour later, and reapply it to get the best of both worlds! [1]
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Question 2 of 6:

How do you use coconut oil dry hair?

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    Without putting any coconut oil directly on your scalp, scoop a glob up and work it into your hair by hand about an hour or two before you shower. The oil will keep your hair from drying out before you shampoo. [3]
    • This may not be the best choice if you have naturally thin hair. The oil can end up being too much for your hair if it isn’t especially thick.
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    There are zero products out there that will fix split or damaged ends. However, coconut oil can hide this kind of damage by holding the strands together and giving them some sheen. Simply rub a little bit of coconut oil into the last 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of your hair and you’re done! [4]
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    Work a glob or two of coconut oil into your hair before going to bed for the night. [5] You can put a shower cap on if you’re worried about ruining any pillow cases. When you wake up, shampoo and cleanse in the shower to strip any remaining oil that hasn’t soaked into your hair. This should give your hair a shinier, smoother feel. [6]
    Expert Answer
    Q

    Can I apply oil on hair and exercise?

    Mindy Nguyen

    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Mindy Nguyen is a Holistic Cosmetologist and the Owner and Founder of Mai Blossom Organic Salon, an organic hair salon in San Diego, California. With more than 35 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in combining Eastern philosophies with Western science to provide organic hair coloring and holistic hair styling.
    EXPERT ADVICE
    Answer from Mindy Nguyen :

    Definitely! Feel free to apply and wrap up some coconut oil in your hair before working out. Your body heat will help deepen the conditioning effects.

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Question 3 of 6:

What will happen if you apply coconut oil to wet hair?

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    Coconut oil does not moisturize on its own (no oil does—oil and water don’t mix). However, oils are occlusive, meaning that they lock in whatever is in your hair. When you moisturize or condition your hair, work a scoop or two of coconut oil into your hair. Then, wait at least 15 minutes before rinsing your hair thoroughly. Your hair will be super conditioned! [7]
    • Your hair should feel super soft and sleek by the time you finish drying off.
Question 4 of 6:

Should you oil hair every day?

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    Coconut oil is comedogenic, which is a fancy way of saying it clogs pores. While this might not be a huge deal for you, it can make your scalp and skin oily or lock debris in your pores. Over time, this can cause you to break out. Overdoing it with the oil can also make your hair feel greasy, which can be unpleasant. [8] Using it a few times a week is probably okay, though.
    • You can always just do this whenever you wash your hair in the shower if you only wash your hair a few times a week.
    • You should be able to feel if you’re using too much. If you start getting pimples around your hairline, your skin feels greasy, or the texture of your hair feels kind of off, just cut back on how often you use coconut oil.
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Question 5 of 6:

Why do some people heat the oil before using it?

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    Quality coconut oil turns solid around room temperature. Depending on how cold your home is, the coconut oil may solidify. This really isn’t a big deal if it happens, though. You can just place a chunk of the oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it on low for a few seconds. [9]
    • You can even warm it up in your hands. It doesn’t take much heat to make coconut oil melt.
    • Some people believe that the hotter the oil is, the better it is for your hair. In all likelihood, it probably doesn’t matter if the oil is hot or not. So long as it’s liquefied, it will be good for your hair. [10]
Question 6 of 6:

What kind of coconut oil is best for your hair?

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    Less purified forms of coconut oil may contain very trace amounts of bleach and other chemicals that may damage your hair. Some of those chemicals may irritate your scalp as well. If you’re going to put coconut oil in your hair, look for 100% pure extra virgin coconut oil. [11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I put coconut oil on my dry hair?
    Mindy Nguyen
    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Mindy Nguyen is a Holistic Cosmetologist and the Owner and Founder of Mai Blossom Organic Salon, an organic hair salon in San Diego, California. With more than 35 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in combining Eastern philosophies with Western science to provide organic hair coloring and holistic hair styling.
    Mindy Nguyen
    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Absolutely! Coconut oil works great when applied to dry or almost dry hair.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Can I apply oil on hair and exercise?
    Mindy Nguyen
    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Mindy Nguyen is a Holistic Cosmetologist and the Owner and Founder of Mai Blossom Organic Salon, an organic hair salon in San Diego, California. With more than 35 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in combining Eastern philosophies with Western science to provide organic hair coloring and holistic hair styling.
    Mindy Nguyen
    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Definitely! Feel free to apply and wrap up some coconut oil in your hair before working out. Your body heat will help deepen the conditioning effects.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Is it bad to leave oil in your hair overnight?
    Mindy Nguyen
    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Mindy Nguyen is a Holistic Cosmetologist and the Owner and Founder of Mai Blossom Organic Salon, an organic hair salon in San Diego, California. With more than 35 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in combining Eastern philosophies with Western science to provide organic hair coloring and holistic hair styling.
    Mindy Nguyen
    Holistic Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Definitely not, as long as you plan on washing your hair the next morning. Just make sure your hair is covered with a plastic shower cap before heading to bed
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/
      2. ↑ Mindy Nguyen. Holistic Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 8 October 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-coconut-oil-hair.html
      4. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-coconut-oil-hair.html
      5. ↑ Mindy Nguyen. Holistic Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 8 October 2021.
      6. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/style/i-treated-my-hair-coconut-oil-im-never-going-back/
      7. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-coconut-oil-hair.html
      8. ↑ https://www.purewow.com/beauty/coconut-oil-for-hair-growth
      9. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/why-coconut-oil-is-amazing-for
      1. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/why-coconut-oil-is-amazing-for
      2. ↑ https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/why-coconut-oil-is-bad-for-your-hair
      3. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-coconut-oil-hair.html

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