Where to buy coconut oil and what to look for?

[l0nd0nbr1dg3]

I live in canada
also any chance you can buy it at walmart? what brand to look for? and where to look? grocery aisle or vitamin aisle?

[Tuna]

The best is virgin, cold pressed coconut oil. Try to look at shops with organic, bio food.

[longcurlygirl<3]

I use spectrum from Whole foods, and it does wonders for 15 oz for $10 :). And it s virgin, cold pressed I think.

[RitaCeleste]

I got a container of it at Walmart. Its by LouAna. Its in the baking isle right next to the lard before you get into the oils. Its not organic, but its still coconut oil.

[QueenJoey]

Yes, virgin is best. I have organic, which I guess is the runner-up. I've heard you should look for one that's snow white when solid, and water clear when liquid, as that's a sign of purity.

I get mine at my local health food store.

[IanB]

I use Vatika coconut oil, available in Indian and Asian stores and on line in most countries. Very cheap here in the UK and lasts for ages

[teal]

You can get Nutiva organic extra-virgin coconut oil at Superstore, in the "Natural" section. It looks like this:
http://nutiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/cocooil_3sizes.jpg

[torrilin]

There are a bunch of different quality terms for a product like coconut oil.

Virgin means it is from the first pressing, and no heat is used to extract the oil.

Organic means the plant is grown without certain herbicides and pesticides and fertilizers. This does not mean it is grown with no herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers, just that they have to be "approved" ones to earn the organic label. If you can't talk to the farmer, this is more important... if you can, I'd tend to buy produce where the farmer is eager to tell you all about how they grow their stuff and why.

Cosmetic grade means it meets the FDA rules for impurities, and it is safe to use it on your skin, even near your eyes or mouth. Don't buy coconut oil (or any other oil you're using for cosmetic purposes) if it is not at least cosmetic grade.

Food grade means it is safe to eat and meets the FDA rules for food. This is more pure than cosmetic grade. It should have a nutrition label if it is food grade.

All these labels are US specific... Canadian rules for cosmetics and food are pretty similar, but they're not just the same. The nutrition labels used in both countries are about the same, and it'd be tough to tell them apart if you didn't know what to look for. Other countries will also have cosmetic and food regulations, but they will vary even more.

For most hair oils, I'd recommend using a food grade oil. If it turns out your hair hates it... hey, maybe it tastes good!

[PianoPlaye]

IanB, is your vatika coconut oil the variant with henna & amla, and are there other variants? Would you message me the barcode of your preferred one?!
After all, as has been reasonably pointed out, it would help to either get the best for the hair, or get a less definitive one that I can cook with!

[pepperminttea]

If you like the smell, get unrefined. If you don't, get refined. :)

[Amber_Maiden]

I actually bought mine at a healthfood store- because I wanted the raw unbleached kind.

[l0nd0nbr1dg3]

I bought this stuff i love it so much and it doesnt even make my hair grasy... im VERY pleasantly surprised!


You can get Nutiva organic extra-virgin coconut oil at Superstore, in the "Natural" section. It looks like this:
http://nutiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/cocooil_3sizes.jpg

[mrs carol]

I bought my Nutiva Coconut Oil at Wal Mart in the isle with the cooking oils.

[Crystal2010]

I bought the food grade coconut oil. My hair loves a heavy oiling of it a couple of times a week.