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THE BEST COCONUT OIL HAIR PRODUCTS TO GIVE STRANDS A LITTLE TLC — FOR LESS THAN $45

 

Tackle your hair woes with these relatively affordable picks.

Coconut oil makes the smooth transition from kitchen cabinets to bathroom shelves as beauty buffs, including hairstylists and our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, rave over its many benefits, which range from softening skin to conditioning hair. Of course, the fastest way to reap the many benefits of coconut oil (we'll touch on them shortly) is to use coconut oil hair products. To help you always shop smartly, Saunders consulted two hairstylists and a dermatologist for the real tea on all things coconut oil, including their no-fail product recommendations. The best part? Everything costs between $7 to $42 on Amazon and Sephora.

What to Consider

COCONUT OIL FOR HAIR BENEFITS

According to board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Hadley King, M.D., coconut oil won't directly affect hair growth, but it may provide benefits that improve the hair's overall health. “Because of its emollient properties, it may reduce hair breakage and make it less brittle. This may indirectly contribute to longer hair, as less breakage may result in longer strands over time,” she explains.

Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, a fatty acid that delivers nutrients and vitamins to the hair, notes hairstylist Courtney Foster. Lauric acid penetrates the hair shaft quickly and helps to smooth flyaways and tame frizzy hair.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU LEAVE COCONUT OIL IN YOUR HAIR?

Foster and fellow hairstylist Raven Hurtado of Maxine Salon suggest leaving coconut oil in the hair for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your hair needs. For example, if you have thicker, curly, or coily hair, leave on the coconut oil hair treatment for 30 minutes. On the other hand, those with fine or straight-to-wavy hair will find 15 minutes is a sweet spot that hydrates without weighing your hair down or leaving it greasy after you rinse. And if you're looking for an intensely hydrating hair treatment, they say it's OK to leave products on overnight. Just remember to plop on a cheap shower cap to prevent your coconut oil hair treatment of choice from messing up your new silk pillowcase.

IS IT BETTER TO PUT COCONUT OIL ON WET OR DRY HAIR?

Good news: Hurtado and Foster promise that you can apply coconut oil to wet or dry hair. Your ultimate decision depends on your hair goals.

Dry hair: Applying coconut oil to dry hair before you shampoo works as a pre-treatment and can help smooth flyaways and frizz
Wet hair: When your hair is wet, the cuticles are open, allowing for better penetration, which is ideal if you use Kopari Organic Coconut Melt as a coconut oil hair mask.

IS IT OK TO PUT COCONUT OIL IN YOUR HAIR EVERY DAY?

Foster says using coconut oil too often can create buildup, leave the hair feeling greasy, and can clog hair follicles which can lead to breakage. Your safest bet is to use coconut oil for hair in moderation and see how your hair feels after use.

And get this: Foster says using too much in colder climates or colder temperatures will cause the oil to solidify, harden on the hair strands, and cause breakage. Yikes! That's never a good look.

Our suggestion: Start by using a coconut oil shampoo (Briogeo Scalp Revival), conditioner (Kiehl's Amino Acid Conditioner), and hair mask (SheaMoisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil) weekly and see how your hair goes from there. If your thicker, textured hair could use more hydration, apply the OGX Hair Mist to your scalp a few times weekly to start. And if you have thin, fine, or looser textured hair then go easy and start off with a light hold gel, such as the IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel.

How We Chose

Check out these seven all-natural beauty remedies that give straight hair added volume, curly strands extra bounce, and endless shine for every ’do. Some earned snaps from our experts, while Saunders found a dupe for her pricey deep conditioner. The other suggestions on our list vary in price and formulation to ensure there’s an option for all of your styling needs. Plus, each coconut oil for hair product received thousands of glowing online reviews across your favorite sites, like Amazon and Sephora.

BEST OVERALL

Kopari Organic Coconut Melt

PROS

• 100% organic coconut oil
• Cruelty- and paraben-free
• Spreads like butter

CONS

• Skip if you prefer heavily fragranced products

Clearly, coconut oil is a must-have ingredient, but we believe Kopari's offering is the best overall pick on the market. For starters, we love that it contains 100% organic coconut oil sourced from the Philippines and made at a sustainable, solar-powered lab in Southern California.

Kopari Organic Coconut Melt is perfect if you need a hair mask to keep your strands sleek and shiny. We recommend starting with dry, unwashed hair and coating your tresses with Coconut Melt from root to tip. Then, toss your hair up in a bun and sleep on it overnight with a shower cap. You might need to shampoo it twice in the morning, but your softened locks will thank you for it!

“This product smells like a dream while providing intense hydration,” says one 5-star Amazon review. Another reviewer adds it’s the perfect dry scalp cure. To quote their 5-star Amazon review, “Adding a little of this to my scalp/hair after the shower has given my hair the boost it needs.”

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.4-star average from 2,267 Amazon reviews
Size 5.1 fl. oz

BEST 2-IN-1

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo

PROS

• Clean formula
• Black woman-owned small business

CONS

• Skip if you don't like a tingly scalp

Invigorate your scalp with this micro-exfoliant shampoo from one of the clean beauty world's most promising haircare brands: Briogeo. Infused with coconut oil, it detoxifies and removes buildup such as pesky dandruff and dirt from the scalp while soothing any irritation. Foster is a fan because it also hydrates the scalp to prevent future dryness and flakes.

We love that it works all hair textures, densities, and both natural and color-treated hair. For example, one Amazon reviewer with curly, dandruff-prone hair adores this coconut oil hair product because it lathers nicely, smoothes frizz, and treats dandruff.

Another Amazon reviewer considers it her holy grail because it improved her damaged, color-treated hair and scalp psoriasis. To quote their 5-star review, “This product was the keystone to improving my scalp condition after just one use — following directions to the ‘T,’ and I could see a huge improvement in my scalp health. Buy this product! It’s also only to be used as needed not more than once a week. Enjoy the difference!”

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.5-star average from 2,159 Amazon reviews
Size 8.0 oz

BEST LEAVE-IN TREATMENT

OGX Nourishing + Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Hair Mist

 

PROS

• Cheap
• Detangles hair

CONS

• Skip if you need intensive hydration

We love a budget buy, and appreciate that the discounted price makes it our cheapest coconut oil for hair product. Foster name-checked it as one of the best in the game, regardless of price. She says you can use this OGX leave-in conditioner before blowdrying to lock in moisture and also daily to smooth and tame flyaways.

Earning more than 8,500 five-star reviews on Amazon alone, Foster most definitely isn't the only fan of this coconut oil for hair product.

Several Amazon reviewers agree its light formula really doesn’t weigh down their fine hair. Instead, it adds a touch of moisture, a beautiful shine, and a delicious coconut scent. “It only takes a few sprays that I rub through my hair, and it looks smooth and shiny, but not oily,” says one 5-star review.

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.6-star average from 11,135 Amazon reviews
Size 4 fl. oz.

BEST DRY SHAMPOO

OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo

PROS

• No white cast on dark hair
• Smoothes hair nicely

CONS

• Some reviewers say the fragrance is too strong for their liking

Our final OGX recommendation is this top-performing dry shampoo. It combines coconut oil with vanilla bean extract and tiare (Tahitian gardenia) essence making it arguably the best-smelling coconut oil product for hair on our list.

Post-workout or on lazy hair days, you can spritz this dry shampoo onto your scalp and rub it in for a few seconds to absorb excess oil and sweat. Depending on the lewk you want to create, this dry shampoo can also be used to help add some texture or grit to your tresses.

One Amazon reviewer says this option is so much better than other more expensive options they've tried because it's non-sticky, long-lasting, and doesn't leave their hair feeling like straw.

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.4-star average from 8,432 Amazon reviews
Size 5 oz.

BEST FOR HEAD-TO-TOE HYDRATION

SheaMoisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

PROS

• Most Amazon reviews
• No mineral oil, parabens, no phthalates, sulfates

CONS

• Reviewers use the most product when detangling their hair

Keep SheaMoisture's coconut blend on hand (literally!). Hurtado appreciates that the multiuse product is rich in vitamin E, protein, and fatty acids to sustain your skin and hair's vivacity. Bonus? This decadent cream can also be used as a makeup remover, so you'll save a few extra dollars you'd normally spend on wipes.

Online reviewers genuinely can't get enough of this standout coconut oil for hair product and consider it a no-fail staple.

“This is the only coconut oil I’ll buy,” says a 5-star review. “I like that it’s all organic and smells great without being overwhelming. It’s also nice that my boyfriend and I can use it, so I’m not cluttering up our space with more his/her products. I can [also] use [it] while nursing to prevent chafing or on [the] baby’s sensitive skin.”

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.5-star average from from 16,672 Amazon reviews
Size 14.5 fl. oz.

BEST CONDITIONER

Kiehl's Amino Acid Conditioner

 

PROS

• Light and creamy texture
• Gentle on sensitive scalps

CONS

• Too lightweight for thick hair

Whether you're sporting a curly 'do, pin-straight strands, or delicate waves, Kiehl's Amino Acid Conditioner is your new BFF. Accentuated with wheat proteins and coconut and jojoba oils, use this daily post-shampoo for a head of hair that's healthier, lightweight, and ultra lush.

“This is honestly one of the best hair conditioners I’ve ever used,” says Saunders. “I tried it after I ran out of my usual $60 hair mask, and it really helped soften and detangle my hair. Sure, I had to leave it on about twice as long as my deep conditioner (1 hour versus 30 minutes), but it was a solid dupe. Anyone with looser hair textures can’t go wrong with this pick if they’re crunched for time.”

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.4-star average from 43 Sephora reviews
Size 6.8 fl. oz.

BEST STYLING PRODUCT

IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel

PROS

• Non-crunchy feel
• Safe for color-treated hair

CONS

• Some reviewers with curly hair don’t love it

What could be better than a haircare brand co-founded by four celebrity hairstylists? Prepare to soften your strands as you style with IGK's Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel. This weightless formula also contains aloe vera that moisturizes and conditions, leaving hair with a natural luster and softness.

We have even more good news for you: IGK's coconut oil for hair product doubles as a heat protectant! One Sephora reviewer says they absolutely love this product, and found the most success heat styling their hair with this product.

"I blew out my hair with a hair-dryer and hair brush and my hair looked gorgeous afterwords. It also makes your hair smell wonderful as well," says their 5-star review.

KEY SPECS

Rating 4.2-star average from 970 Sephora reviews
Size 5 fl. oz