Dandruff treatment. Dandruff can be caused by an overgrowth of fungus or yeast on the scalp. While no studies have examined coconut oil specifically, it has antimicrobial properties and could be useful for treating dandruff ( 10, 11). Coconut oil has been used in South East Asian cuisine as a staple ingredient for many years, before becoming popular in the UK. According to Scientific American, about 90% of grocery items contain a measurable amount of parabens ( source). Speedy hand and nail scrub. For healthy nails, mix coconut oil and sugar, and massage into your hands and nails. Rinse off with warm water. But don’t worry if you can’t get hold of the pure stuff, Rachael adds, “There are some great products available that feature coconut oil including shampoo and conditioner, leave-in treatments or masques.”

Second, coating your hair in oil after you wash it helps make it softer and smoother. This reduces the amount of friction caused by styling, making your hair less likely to snag and break ( 4). Summary Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070Coconut oil and olive oil. Whisk together half a cup of olive oil and one cup of coconut oil in a bowl before massaging it through your hair. Work it into your strands and scalp and leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes (or even overnight). Rinse your hair and continue with shampoo and conditioner. Castile soap, which is made using olive oil, was used by many Victorians to clean their hair. Castile soap is similar to Aleppo soap, which has a more ancient origin. Even if breakage does not occur, coconut oil applied too liberally or sans strategy can result in hair that looks greasy and grimy rather than well-tended. What kind of coconut oil to use Sunflower oil contains mostly linoleic acid, which has a much bulkier structure, so it’s not as easily absorbed into the hair. Coconut oil is an antioxidant, which helps to protect the body against free radicals caused by toxins.

To see which oil was best for protecting hair health, the researchers measured the amount of protein the hair lost after each of these treatments.

All in all, I was very impressed with this DIY conditioner concoction! Especially with its versatility! More DIY Remedies: Once you have applied the coconut oil, you can style your hair as desired. Coconut oil can help to add shine and definition to curls, or it can be used as a natural heat protectant when blow-drying or flat ironing your hair.