Simple Coconut Oil Question From a Newbie

[ElvenArchess]

Alright so I've never actually seen or touched coconut oil before, and in all honesty I therefore have no idea what it's supposed to look/feel like. I always just assumed it was like any other oil, tea tree or olive for instance, where it just looks like.. tinted water. But the only coconut oils I've found in town look like Crisco, and I just assumed they were the wrong kinds until I looked at one of the jars (Spectrum coconut oil, refined) and it said you have to put the jar in warm water for it to become a liquid. So I'm just a completely uninformed idiot and I need to heat the coconut oil to liquid form before putting it in any hair-rescue recipes? And the Crisco-looking grease stuff they're calling coconut oil at Walmart is just fine?

Also, I have another question; I went to a natural food store and they had a bunch of different brands of coconut oil, can anyone tell me which is the best in their experience? These are the brands:
1. Spectrum Coconut Oil (refined - most recipes/treatments call for unrefined, though, and they don't have unrefined :()
2. Good N' Natural Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
3. Barlean's ($15 freakin' dollars for a little tub thing) Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
4. NOW Healthy Foods Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil

Thank you so much for your help! ^.^ (Like I said.. I'm a newbie. :p)

[Fingolphin]

The stuff you're seeing is fine. :) It's not Crisco. It only becomes a liquid at temps above about 73 F or so. As soon as you rub it in your fingers, the heat of your body melts it. Personally, I am using the NOW brand currently.

[ElvenArchess]

Oooh~ Neat! Yeah sorry, I guess I didn't even think of what texture/form it would come in. Thanks! *Runs off to the natural foods store once again*

[Mountaingrrl]

Yes, coconut oil is normally solid. You can just scrape a bit of the solid coconut oil with your fingernail and rub it between your hands to melt it - no need to heat up the whole jar.

[Firefox7275]

It's a perfectly reasonable question; coconut oil is a strange kind of fat because it's more saturated (like butter or lard) than most oils. So as Fingolphin says the melting temperature is different. Just to confuse you it is possible to refine coconut oil until it is liquid at room temperature, but most recipes expect you to use the ordinary solid stuff. :) If you are trying to mix with other ingredients you probably need to microwave the coconut oil or immerse the jar in hot water. If any of the other stuff is cold when you mix, the coconut may go lumpy again (yes I have had that experience).

[Elfblaide]

Ahh excellent, I was going to ask this question as I was confused too :) Thanks y'all!

[tinti]

Heidi w has a great article on oils. It can be worth reading it before starting to mess with the oil if you're new to it, I wish I'd done that :D

Heidi w's oiling tutorial (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=71)

[polette]

I use Spectrum Coconut Oil, and I love it, I use it in a spray bottle with aloe and water. I melt it before adding it, but when I use it directly in my hair, I just let it sit in my palm for a second, and it melts.

Word of caution; places like Walgreens sell "coconut oil" in their ethnic hair section, but it is NOT pure oil, the first ingredient is petroleum. I made that mistake as a newbie. Now, I buy the Sprectrum oil at publixs :)

[Intotouch]

Just be warned it doesn't suit everyone. If you find your hair sticking to itself and dryer later you may need to clarify to lose it. Most people on here love it though.

[AshNight1214]

Thanks for posting this question! I always wondered about that!

[Scarlet_Heart]

Well I learned something too! Here I've been using a double boiler method! lol :o

I use spectrum.

[feralnature]

I use LouAna coconut oil from the baking section at Walmart. Yes, it looks like crisco, but it melts in your fingers. Once you become more familiar with coconut oil, you won't give it up.

[gogirlanime]

Like everyone else says, I use coconut oil from here: http://www.organic-creations.com/servlet/the-682/coconut-oil-76-degree/Detail

it works wonders on my hair $15.50 for 5 pounds of it and only $9 shipping.

[teela1978]

Coconut oil is kinda fun if you live somewhere with warm summers and no air conditioning. Liquid all summer and solid in the winter, lets you know when the seasons are changing :)

[gogirlanime]

Coconut oil is kinda fun if you live somewhere with warm summers and no air conditioning. Liquid all summer and solid in the winter, lets you know when the seasons are changing :)

Haha very cool, I agree. I work at a GNC and once here in Washington (about two years ago) it was 105 degrees for a whole week (In Washington that's just UNHEARD of) and even inside with AC it turned liquid, we all had fun shaking it around in the bottle. Or we'd put it in the fridge and then see how long it would take to melt, we put bets on it haha.

[BlueCanary]

I'd like to try coconut oil, but I'm afraid I'd lose half of it to popcorn. Seriously. Popcorn pan popped in coconut oil is delicious. Not very good for you, but delicious none the less.

[|Xei]

I use Spectrum, and I like it a fair bit. I like that it doesn't have much of a smell. Unless I stick my nose very close to the oil, I can't smell it at all. Even when it is in my hair, I would never catch even a whiff of the smell.

It absorbs well, makes my hair very soft, and smooths out a bit of frizz. For regular oiling, I find that it is easy to over-oil, so do use sparingly.

I've never used the unrefined stuff though, so I can't tell you if it's any different.

[AmericanWoman]

Alright so I've never actually seen or touched coconut oil before, and in all honesty I therefore have no idea what it's supposed to look/feel like. I always just assumed it was like any other oil, tea tree or olive for instance, where it just looks like.. tinted water. But the only coconut oils I've found in town look like Crisco, and I just assumed they were the wrong kinds until I looked at one of the jars (Spectrum coconut oil, refined) and it said you have to put the jar in warm water for it to become a liquid. So I'm just a completely uninformed idiot and I need to heat the coconut oil to liquid form before putting it in any hair-rescue recipes? And the Crisco-looking grease stuff they're calling coconut oil at Walmart is just fine?

Also, I have another question; I went to a natural food store and they had a bunch of different brands of coconut oil, can anyone tell me which is the best in their experience? These are the brands:
1. Spectrum Coconut Oil (refined - most recipes/treatments call for unrefined, though, and they don't have unrefined :()
2. Good N' Natural Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
3. Barlean's ($15 freakin' dollars for a little tub thing) Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
4. NOW Healthy Foods Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil

Thank you so much for your help! ^.^ (Like I said.. I'm a newbie. :p)

Coconut oil is liquid above 76 degrees or so. Refined CO won't have a smell. Virgin (unrefined) CO smells like coconut. I use both, but prefer virgin CO. VCO added to chocolate cake is absolutly divine.:cool:

[Firefox7275]

I'd like to try coconut oil, but I'm afraid I'd lose half of it to popcorn. Seriously. Popcorn pan popped in coconut oil is delicious. Not very good for you, but delicious none the less.


Coconut oil is liquid above 76 degrees or so. Refined CO won't have a smell. Virgin (unrefined) CO smells like coconut. I use both, but prefer virgin CO. VCO added to chocolate cake is absolutly divine.:cool:

TMI to people on diets. :p

[teela1978]

I'd like to try coconut oil, but I'm afraid I'd lose half of it to popcorn. Seriously. Popcorn pan popped in coconut oil is delicious. Not very good for you, but delicious none the less.
I'm pretty sure i loose more than half to popcorn :)

[isshevital]

If you are trying to mix with other ingredients you probably need to microwave the coconut oil or immerse the jar in hot water.

I've heard that microwaving can destroy some of the stuff that makes it good for your hair, so if I need to melt it I'll either use a double boiler or put it in a bowl and then place the bottom of the bowl in a sink of hot water.

Anyone want to weigh in on whether this is true? Microwaving would definitely be faster :p

[BrightEyes7]

Coconut oil is kinda fun if you live somewhere with warm summers and no air conditioning. Liquid all summer and solid in the winter, lets you know when the seasons are changing :)

It's so warm here that mine stays liquid all year pretty much. In the winter it's more of a mush, half melted sort of thing. Summer, even with AC, it's always liquid. That's why I keep the big jar in the fridge and have a small container in the bathroom.


I've heard that microwaving can destroy some of the stuff that makes it good for your hair, so if I need to melt it I'll either use a double boiler or put it in a bowl and then place the bottom of the bowl in a sink of hot water.

Anyone want to weigh in on whether this is true? Microwaving would definitely be faster :p

I microwave (the refridgerated stuff) and haven't had any problems. I've microwaved the same tub of oil multiple times and have had no issues. Patience is not one of my virtues!

When it comes to hair, unrefined vs. refined doesn't really make a difference. Unrefined will smell of coconut, refined doesn't. That is the only difference in regards to hair use. When it is for your skin or for food, unrefined is the way to go. Any of the oils mentioned will work for your hair.

Also, refined coconut oil usually has a longer shelf life. That is what I use, since it lasts longer.

[Karmi]

I have a question. I am planning on trying a 15 ounce jar of Nutiva 100% raw organic unrefined extra-virgin coconut oil. I just recently purchased Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Shampoo & Conditioner, and I have some Garnier Triple Nutrition Shampoo & Conditioner. I read all about the Movie Star threads and got extremely overwhelmed, there is a load of information that is helpful but I still became overwhelmed reading through it all. I have subscribed to that thread and will return regularly.

My question is, since shampooing with coconut oil penetrates to the cortex... I guess I will start doing that, and if I need more moisture I will add after day 2 or 3 of a wash. I am wondering if the two shampoo brands I have currently will work well with the coconut oil as, say, a pre-soak in coconut for an hour or several hours prior to a regular wash with Suave ASB (possibly alternating with the GTN) 'poo and condish?

[Firefox7275]

I have a question. I am planning on trying a 15 ounce jar of Nutiva 100% raw organic unrefined extra-virgin coconut oil. I just recently purchased Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Shampoo & Conditioner, and I have some Garnier Triple Nutrition Shampoo & Conditioner. I read all about the Movie Star threads and got extremely overwhelmed, there is a load of information that is helpful but I still became overwhelmed reading through it all. I have subscribed to that thread and will return regularly.

My question is, since shampooing with coconut oil penetrates to the cortex... I guess I will start doing that, and if I need more moisture I will add after day 2 or 3 of a wash. I am wondering if the two shampoo brands I have currently will work well with the coconut oil as, say, a pre-soak in coconut for an hour or several hours prior to a regular wash with Suave ASB (possibly alternating with the GTN) 'poo and condish?

I don't think you are supposed to use any other conditioners alongside the coconut oil shampoo, since they will form a barrier on the surface of the hair. You are just supposed to keep washing with the coconut oil and each time a little more will be absorbed. There is a list somewhere of the shampoos that have worked for others in the movie Star Method, I think it's linked to from Ktani's original thread. I found that hard going too - I know I asked for a quick start guide on the new thread.

[|Xei]

I've heard that microwaving can destroy some of the stuff that makes it good for your hair, so if I need to melt it I'll either use a double boiler or put it in a bowl and then place the bottom of the bowl in a sink of hot water.

Anyone want to weigh in on whether this is true? Microwaving would definitely be faster :p

Coconut oil pretty much melts on skin contact for me, so using the microwave probably wont speed up your process by much. It might actually be fastest to just use the sink and hot water method.

That's what I usually do when I warm up my deep treatments. Treatment in the bowl, jump in the shower to shampoo, and by the time I'm done, and towel dried, my treatment is ready :)

[WaterMusic]

My coconut oil is this weird half liquid half mush right now, because it's so warm in my bathroom. I think I should just keep it in the fridge. I use a hot water bath whenever I'm mixing it with stuff.

[Aveyronnaise]

I'd like to try coconut oil, but I'm afraid I'd lose half of it to popcorn. Seriously. Popcorn pan popped in coconut oil is delicious. Not very good for you, but delicious none the less.

I know! It is just unreal how delicious it is.

ETA- I put it all over my skin at the end of my shower, which has made it amazingly soft BTW, so I just put it in the tub at the beginning and by the end it is mostly liquid and ready for hair action.

[Karmi]

I don't think you are supposed to use any other conditioners alongside the coconut oil shampoo, since they will form a barrier on the surface of the hair. You are just supposed to keep washing with the coconut oil and each time a little more will be absorbed. There is a list somewhere of the shampoos that have worked for others in the movie Star Method, I think it's linked to from Ktani's original thread. I found that hard going too - I know I asked for a quick start guide on the new thread.

Okay, when I run out of all this shampoo I have, I will try others. But for now I will have to make do. What about just using coconut oil as a treatment for several hours prior to a regular shampoo? Would that be okay to do?

[PorkChop]

Anybody from the UK recommend which one they use???

[Pierre]

I've heard that microwaving can destroy some of the stuff that makes it good for your hair, so if I need to melt it I'll either use a double boiler or put it in a bowl and then place the bottom of the bowl in a sink of hot water.

Anyone want to weigh in on whether this is true? Microwaving would definitely be faster :p
Microwaves mangle vitamins and proteins, but I don't think they do anything significant to fats. A microwave grabs the charged part of a molecule and shakes it by those handles. A protein is made of amino acids, where the amino part has a positive charge, the acid part is negative, and some amino acids have extra amino or acid groups. A fat is made of three fatty acids ester-bonded to glycerol. The loose ends are uncharged, so there's not much a microwave can do except heat it up. So I wouldn't eat coconut oil that had been microwaved, but wouldn't mind putting it in my hair.

What I do is put a knife in the oil, which I keep in the fridge, and loosen a chunk. Last time I made perfume I put a gram or two of coconut oil in the bottle, added EOs, and filled it up with jojoba. Then I put a little water in the pot and heated the bottle in it.

[MaryLA]

OK help me purchase the correct coconut oil....This will be my first oil purchase. I believe I need extra virgin coconut oil that is unrefined (for the nice smell). I found several to choose from on the GNC website. I'll probably order from them. Here is what I'm considering:
http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3926288

[papillion]

Anybody from the UK recommend which one they use???

I get mine from Holland & Barrett - http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=690&prodid=733&cid=182

[tigr]

Okay, when I run out of all this shampoo I have, I will try others. But for now I will have to make do. What about just using coconut oil as a treatment for several hours prior to a regular shampoo? Would that be okay to do?
Yes. Many people here do that. The one suggestion I've seen over and over is to use conditioner, rather than shampoo, to get the oil out. Let the conditioner sit in your hair for about 10 minutes.

[lastnite]

OK help me purchase the correct coconut oil....This will be my first oil purchase. I believe I need extra virgin coconut oil that is unrefined (for the nice smell). I found several to choose from on the GNC website. I'll probably order from them. Here is what I'm considering:
http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3926288

this one would be fine. organic, virgin coconut oil, and it's the cheapest :D http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3568471&clickid=prod_cs

definitely go with unrefined.. the very first coconut oil I bought 10 years ago (when I didn't know what kind to buy) was the spectrum unrefined ..and I really didn't like it.the smell, the feel, how it worked on my hair..it took me years to get through the jar. Maybe I just had a bad jar.
Then I learned the difference between unrefined and refined and tried unrefined... I noticed a big difference... it smelled better, my hair absorbed it better, and it felt better enough I could use it on my hands and body for a moisturizer... now I can go through a jar within a month.

[isshevital]

The one suggestion I've seen over and over is to use conditioner, rather than shampoo, to get the oil out.

I've never had problems shampooing it out, personally, but I usually CO wash to get it out anyway just to be a little gentler on my hair. It's strange, but CO washing actually works better for me when my hair is full of coconut oil (or scalp oil when my hair's really dirty). On somewhat clean hair, CO washes can leave my hair kinda limp and sad-looking. Weird. :hmm:

[CAPA7]

Anybody from the UK recommend which one they use???

I use Coconoil, they have very good service and if you order before May 2nd and type in SPRING at checkout, you get £1 off each 460g tub that you buy.

I also tried Akoma's coconut oil, but for some reason my hair just didn't like it at all, even though it was also organic raw virgin oil, just like the stuff I normally use from Coconoil :(
Does anyone else have different reactions after using different brands of coconut oil?

[livz]

I'd like to try coconut oil, but I'm afraid I'd lose half of it to popcorn. Seriously. Popcorn pan popped in coconut oil is delicious. Not very good for you, but delicious none the less.

There is actually a lot of scientific research about the health benefits of coconut oil. Look it up! The popcorn itself isn't the healthiest, but using coconut oil makes it better. It can help you lose fat by speeding up your metabolism (good thing if you've got a lagging one like I do from hypothyroidism). I always seem to lose more weight when I use it regularly. If I could just kick my damn sugar addiction...

I buy my evco in huge plastic tubs from the local farmer's market. $10 for a half gallon (~3.6 lbs).

[ZippyWho]

this one would be fine. organic, virgin coconut oil, and it's the cheapest :D http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3568471&clickid=prod_cs

definitely go with unrefined.. the very first coconut oil I bought 10 years ago (when I didn't know what kind to buy) was the spectrum unrefined ..and I really didn't like it.the smell, the feel, how it worked on my hair..it took me years to get through the jar. Maybe I just had a bad jar.
Then I learned the difference between unrefined and refined and tried unrefined... I noticed a big difference... it smelled better, my hair absorbed it better, and it felt better enough I could use it on my hands and body for a moisturizer... now I can go through a jar within a month.

Hi, it's a bit confusing. There's conflicts. Can you clarify?
Thanks.

[chenille]

I've been reading all the great ideas from everyone and yesterday I tried my first ever oil treatment! I used a tiny bit of coconut oil, just enough to make my hands shiny, and rubbed them over the length of my dry hair. I actually ended up doing that twice, once on the left side and once on the right. Then I put it in a braid and left it overnight. In the morning when I washed my hair, I washed the length with condish and my scalp with shampoo.

Result: ooh, nifty! It didn't magically fix the damaged hair, of course, but it's easier to comb and it's definitely got extra shine. I have fine hair which tends to become strings or clumps when it gets too oily, so I was a bit worried about that, but I didn't have any problems. Yay! Now I'm looking forward to trying different amounts, damp hair, different oils etc. Uh oh, this is how it starts, isn't it? ;)

[pixiestar]

I use Coconoil, they have very good service and if you order before May 2nd and type in SPRING at checkout, you get £1 off each 460g tub that you buy.

I also tried Akoma's coconut oil, but for some reason my hair just didn't like it at all, even though it was also organic raw virgin oil, just like the stuff I normally use from Coconoil :(
Does anyone else have different reactions after using different brands of coconut oil?

Hi CAPA7 do you buy the organic or virgin coconoil? I'm looking to buy in the uk. I'm wondering what the difference is. :D

[CAPA7]

Pixistar, sorry for the long delay in replying :( I've been trying for days and it just wouldn't let me post!
Anyway I normally use the organic version, mostly because this is the only way to get the "baby" sized tub, which is great for trying out the product and see if you like it. I got used to it and kept ordering organic coconut oil when I eventually upgraded to the full-size pots.

[pixiestar]

Pixistar, sorry for the long delay in replying :( I've been trying for days and it just wouldn't let me post!
Anyway I normally use the organic version, mostly because this is the only way to get the "baby" sized tub, which is great for trying out the product and see if you like it. I got used to it and kept ordering organic coconut oil when I eventually upgraded to the full-size pots.

Thanks CAPA7, i've ordered some:D

[Dark Queen]

Hey, here's another newb question: I've never used coconut oil for anything either, but I've been reading about a lot of uses for it (both cooking and hair care) and I'm wondering where you find it. I have looked in a few local grocery stores (including one Trader Joe's) and haven't seen it. I was reading that one of you found it at Walmart, but I haven't seen it there. Maybe I don't know where to look (I'm a dork, LOL :)). It should be in with the other oils such as EVOO right? I checked the baking section of Albertson's also today and still didn't find it. Is it generally in a jar or a bottle (like EVOO)? Any help is appreciated :). Thanks.

[Scarlet_Heart]

Hey, here's another newb question: I've never used coconut oil for anything either, but I've been reading about a lot of uses for it (both cooking and hair care) and I'm wondering where you find it. I have looked in a few local grocery stores (including one Trader Joe's) and haven't seen it. I was reading that one of you found it at Walmart, but I haven't seen it there. Maybe I don't know where to look (I'm a dork, LOL :)). It should be in with the other oils such as EVOO right? I checked the baking section of Albertson's also today and still didn't find it. Is it generally in a jar or a bottle (like EVOO)? Any help is appreciated :). Thanks.

I found it at a natural foods store for about $11. Then I found the exact same jar/brand at the grocery store for $6! I was confused too. I looked for it by the cooking oils, but that's not where they keep it. I finally found it in the organic/natural foods section. Does your grocery have an aisle like that?

[Dark Queen]

I found it at a natural foods store for about $11. Then I found the exact same jar/brand at the grocery store for $6! I was confused too. I looked for it by the cooking oils, but that's not where they keep it. I finally found it in the organic/natural foods section. Does your grocery have an aisle like that?

Not that I'm aware of. I was just there today, and I had been looking around the oils, and the baking stuff mostly. We were getting other groceries, and I didn't happen to see it around where I looked. I'll check more closely for organic & natural foods next time. May I ask what the jar you found looked like? Thanks for that :).

[Dark Queen]

Update: Thanks, Scarlet_Heart, I was able to find the oil today. You were very helpful :). I'm sure I'll be reporting back on how it worked for me later on.:D