coconut oil? refined or unrefined??

[beachlover]

I want to buy some coconut oil but not sure which one to get, refined or unrefined. Both said they could be used on the hair. Thanks!

[Laylah]

The kind I get is most likely refined- it's Parachute brand, designed for cooking. The unrefined type is usually sold for cosmetic purposes and more expensive. You'll find that type at health food type stores like Whole foods. I don't see anything wrong with the refined type- it works wonderfully on my hair.

[eezepeeze]

I use Spectrum Organic refined, expeller-pressed coconut oil found in the health food section of my local regular grocery store. It comes in a solid form that melts when the heat of your hands hits it.

[missjessiecakes]

I buy the cheap stuff from walmart. I think I paid 6 dollars and its a huge huge container.

[lastnite]

they are both ok for hair. unrefined still has the smell and taste of coconuts, I think it's less processed. refined doesn't have the smell or taste of coconuts anymore so it can be used in cooking.

[FrannyG]

I do not like the smell of coconuts, so I used Spectrum Organic Refined coconut oil from my local health food store. It's a very big jar and has lasted me quite a long time.

While unrefined may be better and have the complete properties of coconut oil (I don't know for sure), I am doing very well with the refined oil.

[freckles]

I use the refined type because I buy it super cheap. It seems to help my hair, but I've never used unrefined so I don't know whether or not that would be better.

[MonikaHa]

I've used both, and the only difference I notice is the smell. I am very sensitive to smells, so I actually prefer the refined version. Plus, like others mentioned already, it's way cheaper.

[Cupofmilk]

I use virgin organic unrefined. just because I like the smell and I like think it's not been messed about with.... I'm a bit weird like that

[jeanniet]

I use Spectrum Organics unrefined. I don't mind the smell. Both refined and unrefined can be used for cooking. With the Spectrum brand, the difference mainly seems to be the high temperature point--it's higher with refined.

[ChloeDharma]

The parachute brand is not refined as such but is made from copra which is the dried coconut meat. Because of this it has a coconut smell but with an almost smokey quality to it.
Virgin coconut oil is unrefined oil extracted from fresh coconut meat with a lovely fresh coconut smell to it.
Refined but solid, the cheap stuff is made from copra but then refined, bleached and deodourised.
The one sold usually for cosmetic use and for massage is liquid at room temperature and called "fractionated" as it has been treated to not need melting.

Personally i get the best results from virgin coconut oil by quite a noticeable extent, both on my skin and air. In fact the refined stuff i don't find good on my skin so i don't even bother with it now.
You really just have to try them and see which one works best for you xx

[beachlover]

Thank you everyone for your help! I bought the coconut oil at my local health food store yesterday. I massaged it into my scalp and hair last night, left it on for an hour and then washed it out. I was worried about it leaving my hair greasy but it felt wonderful, no greasy feel at all !!! I have a dry scalp and have tried every prescription out there that my dermatologist has prescribed, nothing has worked until now!!! Seems like it immediately helped my scalp and relieved the dry, tight, itchy feeling!! I'm amazed and hope it continues to work for me!!!!!

[zenobia]

I just bought some coconut oil yesterday for the first time. Is it ok to get the kind that's called "Expeller-pressed coconut oil"? It was the cheapest jar in the cooking oils section of the natural foods store. It doesn't smell like coconuts at all, so I guess it's refined?

[beachlover]

I'm new to using coconut oil so I'm really not sure. All I could find was something called Spectrum Unrefined Organic Virgin coconut oil at the store I went to, has a light coconut smell (says it can be used for cooking and skin and hair use). I'm sure others on here will be able answer your question, but from what I gather it's all good!!!