Shea Butter vs. Coconut Oil

**CurlyZ** · March 28th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Hello everyone!
I've recently started to use coconut oil for my hair.
So far so good. Seems like my hair likes it.

I read a lot about shea butter too, but never used it.
What is the difference?
Which one do you prefer?
How do you use it?
Where do you buy it?

**Firefox7275** · March 29th, 2011, 04:03 AM

I purchased both so I could make Fox's Conditioning Cream - this was recently so my opinion is only from a few uses. The coconut oil (supermarket) is more 'greasy', unrefined shea butter (eBay) more creamy in texture. Apparently coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft if you use something to open the cuticle (shampoo/ heat) and can help protect against colour damage, so I would like to try the oil shampoo method. I am already using shea butter as a skin moisturiser - it is AMAZING on eczema, I noticed a difference on the first application!

**littlenvy** · March 29th, 2011, 07:15 AM

They are two different things with different properties.
As Firefox said, coconut oil penetrates the hair and protects it from inside out, while shea butter coats your hair shaft making the hair cuticle lay down thus protecting it from ouside in.

So it would totally depend on your hair as to when you would use either.
For me, I use coconut oil prewash and shea butter after wash as a smoothing balm.

**Tressie** · March 29th, 2011, 07:23 AM

I will be watching this to see suggestions as to best shea butter to buy and where to purchase in the US! Thanks

Sounds like a good idea for a finishing balm- littlenvy! (o:

**CurlyZ** · March 29th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by littlenvy

They are two different things with different properties.
As Firefox said, coconut oil penetrates the hair and protects it from inside out, while shea butter coats your hair shaft making the hair cuticle lay down thus protecting it from ouside in.

So it would totally depend on your hair as to when you would use either.
For me, I use coconut oil prewash and shea butter after wash as a smoothing balm.

Does the shea butter help against frizz / flyaways?

**Deborah** · March 29th, 2011, 10:43 AM

I am generally not successful in using oils on my hair. Once in a great while when my ends seem a bit dry, I stroke a tiny bit of shea nut butter onto the last six inches or so, right after washing, while the hair is still fairly wet. This works beautifully on the ends. Coconut oil just lays on top and leaves my hair oily.

So, if your hair is very fine textured, and not porous, shea nut butter may work better for you than coconut oil.

**littlenvy** · March 29th, 2011, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by CurlyZ

Does the shea butter help against frizz / flyaways?

I'm not sure, my hair is fairly straight with very little frizz (unless I do a honey treatment LOL, then I took like a hedgehog) but shea butter does make my straight hair even straighter.

**1953Diygal** · March 29th, 2011, 01:38 PM

I looove coconut oil as an oiling treatment but I've recently discovered cocoa butter, too. It acts kind of like shea in that it sits on top of the hair. In a way, it almost acts like a hair cream or something. Plus, I just adore the lovely chocolate smell.

(mmm....I'm thinking of how wonderful it would be to MIX the two. I'd smell like a chocolate macaroon!)

**CaityBear** · March 29th, 2011, 09:00 PM

I like coconut oil for oilings. But shea butter is nice in a hair cream. I've made hair cream (based on Fox's Conditioner Cream recipe I think if I remember correctly) using shea butter and also cocoa butter.

**Natalia** · March 29th, 2011, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by CurlyZ

Hello everyone!
I've recently started to use coconut oil for my hair.
So far so good. Seems like my hair likes it.

I read a lot about shea butter too, but never used it.
What is the difference?
Which one do you prefer?
How do you use it?
Where do you buy it?

Out of the two i prefer shea butter. Ive been having more frizz and flyaway problems and that helps more than coconut oil. Coconut oil gives me more shine but i dont like the way it acts on my WO hair right now. Not one you mentioned but as far as general oiling im liking cocoa butter the best. Been doing that for a few weeks and it gives a nice shine, without the gunkyness i got with coconut. Coconut was fine before i went WO but it doesnt like me anymore

go figure.

As far as use i apply the cocoa butter to damp hair (after a wide tooth comb) generally in the morning since I shower at night and my ends are still moist. Shea butter I apply to dry hair as needed especially at the temples for frizz. I buy my queen helene cocoa butter sticks locally, and coconut when i use it (mostly for body now) i buy local when there is a good sale if not online.