In the world of natural beauty products, coconut oil is an extremely popular ingredient. It works to nourish the skin, offers UV protection, and can soothe dry or inflamed skin. When it comes to your hair, however, coconut oil is too heavy. It feels thick and unpleasant on the average person’s head, but you can still harness the beauty benefits of coconut for your hair. You just have to use full fat coconut milk.
Why Is Coconut Milk Impressive?
First off, coconut milk has an outstanding resume and portfolio. It’s an outstanding candidate for your hair care routine. On a more serious note, the fat in coconut milk primarily consists of medium-chain fatty acids, with lauric acid being the most predominant. The body can easily absorb these fatty acids and they help increase energy levels. It’s also free of lactose, which is why it has risen to popularity in the non-dairy craze. When it comes to the beauty benefits, coconut milk works to fight frizz and helps to seal in moisture. If you have curls, coconut milk is about to become your new best friend.
Vitamins And Minerals In Coconut Milk
The nutritional profile of coconut milk is nothing short of impressive. While these vitamins and minerals are beneficial for your body, they also benefit your hair. The micronutrients in coconut milk are vitamins C, E, and B1, B3, B5, and B6, all of which help your hair maintain strength and moisture. The vitamin E content in coconut milk also strengthens the scalp by increasing blood flow. Additionally, improving circulation to the scalp contributes to better hair growth. The lauric acid, which we mentioned earlier, works to penetrate hair easily and nourish the cuticle, which is the outermost layer of hair strands.
Coconut Milk May Slow Hair Loss
As we just mentioned, coconut milk works to strengthen hair cuticles. This means that your hair strands are less prone to breakage. If your hair breaks less, you may find that you have a reduced rate of hair loss. It’s also important to know that hair strands are comprised of cells, like everything else in the body. Because coconut milk contains iron, which is necessary for hemoglobin production, it may help to improve oxygen flow to hair. This may help it appear shinier, healthier, and less stressed.
Bye Bye Dryness
While coconut milk helps to keep your hair looking commercial-worthy, it also does wonders for your scalp. Coconut milk works to moisturize the scalp while simultaneously conditioning the hair. The anti-inflammatory properties help to improve the skin on the scalp, which can reduce flakiness or dryness.
DIY Leave-In Conditioner
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 1 tablespoon full fat coconut milk
Instructions:
- Add the water and coconut milk to a small bowl and whisk thoroughly to combine.
- Pour this mixture into a two-ounce spray bottle, screw on the top, and refrigerate for a couple hours. It’s ready to use.
- Store your leave-in conditioner in the refrigerator. The reason for this is because it doesn’t contain any preservatives.
- When you’re ready to use it, shake the bottle well and spray it on clean, damp hair. Use a brush or comb to brush it through your hair.
