Coconut oil - solid or liquid???

Okay, I've been trawling through the many and varied threads on coconut oil and my head is spinning!

I want to try coconut oil again but I'm not sure about what type to look for. The last time I had any it was a solid (until those scorching few weeks we had in the UK last August when it melted and gave me a nasty surprise when I went to open the tub!) and I got it from Neal's Yard. I used it as a pre-wash treatment, but never as a leave-in; I wondered if the fact that it was a solid at room temperature meant that it would do something waxy/weird to my hair.

Am I making any sense so far?! :confused:

I want to try it again but the solid thing still worries me. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Are there coconut oils available that are liquid even at cooler temperatures? Is that what fractionated/refined coconut oil is? Will I ever stop feeling like a clueless LHC noob?! :D

TIA :flower:

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Originally Posted by pariate

Okay, I've been trawling through the many and varied threads on coconut oil and my head is spinning!

I want to try coconut oil again but I'm not sure about what type to look for. The last time I had any it was a solid (until those scorching few weeks we had in the UK last August when it melted and gave me a nasty surprise when I went to open the tub!) and I got it from Neal's Yard. I used it as a pre-wash treatment, but never as a leave-in; I wondered if the fact that it was a solid at room temperature meant that it would do something waxy/weird to my hair.

Am I making any sense so far?! :confused:

I want to try it again but the solid thing still worries me. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Are there coconut oils available that are liquid even at cooler temperatures? Is that what fractionated/refined coconut oil is? Will I ever stop feeling like a clueless LHC noob?! :D

TIA :flower:

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Fractionated coconut oil is treated to be liquid at room temperature.....i have used it in the past and liked it. Refined can be solid at room temperature....it usually means it's made from copra which is coconut meat dried often by leaving it in the sun, then the oil extracted from that is bleached, deoderised and refined.

I use either virgin coconut oil which is where the oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat with no refining processes.....or i use a specific hair oil like dabur vatika coconut oil. I really wouldn't worry about it being solid at room temperature....i've never noticed it trying to resolidify in my hair....though i think some members find that happens if they live in very cold climates.

I'm new to coconut oil. I melt it in my palms and rub it through the length of my hair after it's washed. I will reapply small amounts to the ends if they feel dry. No gloopy or sticky feel. It just feels a slick if I get overly generous with it.

Coconut oil, melts with the heat of your body. Put a bit in your hands and it melts away to an oil.

Melting point of coconut oil is between 21 -25 C.

I bought two jars at the same time:

One said coconut oil on it: 100% coconut oil, it did not taste or smell like coconut oil. Less expensive.

The other jar said, organic extra virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed & pure white: (not refined, decoodorized or bleached). It tasted and smelled like coconut oil. More expensive.

From now on, I will always buy coconut oil that says not refined, extra virgin coconut oil. They do not smell the same, look the same or taste the same.

I usaully store my coconut in the cupboard, when it got warm I started storing it in the fridge. It is not harder to use if stored in the fridge, the only difference is that I scrape it with a spoon instead of digging in when in the cupboard.

I still need to learn to put small amounts on my hair, so they do not look oily.

My hair responds better when I put the coconut oil in while my hair is still damp. This way, I don't get the greasies... I think it depends on your hair type.

I have used cheap & expensive brands of coconut oil--not much difference in results. The medium-heat coconut oil seems to be a little lighter on the hair & is good for fine hair--but other than that--if the cheaper stuff is working--keep with it!

I remember when I went to the store to get some Coconut oil and all they had was the kind in the tub... I thought I had made a mistake or something, I guess it's not odd for it to be solid :rolling:

Maybe next time I won't feel afraid to purchase a solid oil now that I know that it's common.

I did a light coconut oiling this morning, using the tiniest smear of oil. My hair does feel lovely :D I'm still using jojoba and avocado in my AGO mix, but I think I'll probably stick to coconut for pure oiling, instead of jojoba or avocado. They work well in my AGO mix but my hair feels better with the C than it did when I used J or A for oiling.

I went to some stores yesterday and the only place I found coconut oil was at Walmart. It was in the vitamin section. The label says "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil" and nothing else. I put a tiny amount on my ends and my hair feels very nice. :)

It can be either depending on the temperature with the virgin stuff. I have noticed no difference in using it as a solid or a liquid and would really expect to since I rub it between my hands to liquefy it anyhow! :D

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Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

I went to some stores yesterday and the only place I found coconut oil was at Walmart. It was in the vitamin section. The label says "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil" and nothing else. I put a tiny amount on my ends and my hair feels very nice. :)

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Thats good to know. I'm going to Walmart today, and I've been wanting to try coconut oil. Thanks for the info!

I only use unrefined & organic coconut oil. I put some in one of those small cases meant for eyeshadows and I keep it in my bathroom. It's creamy & easy to apply in room temperature. I keep the rest of coconut oil in its original glass jar, refrigerated.

I use coconut oil as a leave-in when my hair is almost dry after I wash it. Very little is needed for my lengths, and a bit more for the ends. No oil has made me happier so far. :heartbeat

I tryed the coconut oil this morning. First I was surprised how fast it turned to liquid. I love the way it made my hair shiny and brought out my waves. And, I love the smell.

Well I've definitely come round to coconut oil :D My hair was looking quite parched today and I applied some AGO, which helped a lot but it clearly needed oil rather than just moisture. I used a little coconut oil and it fixed it right up!

One reason I don't like coconut oil is its tendancy to turn solid at lower temperatures. It's fine for me in summer, here where it's 90 degrees F... Not so good in winter, here where it's -35 degrees F.

I'd be interested in this oil if it would stay liquid at room, or low temperatures, for at least half the year where I live!

Fractionated coconut oil stays liquid even in cold. But is it good for hair?

I kinda like my coconut oil solid. I don't know why, I just do.

I'm loving coconut oil too. I prefer mine solid as well.

Kerry xx

If your coconut oil goes sold, just scoop out a tiny amount, and melt it in your hands. It should melt quite quickly and easily.

My coconut oil goes from solid to liquid seasonally - solid at room temperature in the winter (65 deg. F.) and liquid in the summer (room temp same as outdoor temp - in the 70s or 80s - sometimes solidifying overnight if the night is cool).

If your temperature is such that it is solid, just be sure to keep the oil in a wide mouth jar, where you can reach in an scoop out a little bit. I find it, in some ways, easier to use when solid. No risk of spills.