There’s no getting around it: coconut oil has a great reputation. Useful in the kitchen or on the makeup counter, this versatile product is a fantastic way to add natural, pleasantly-scented moisture to your skincare routine. While all this is undoubtedly true, if you have fine curly hair, you may be better off leaving your jar in the kitchen cabinet.
One of the heaviest oils available, coconut oil is fantastic at locking moisture into incredibly dry skin and hair, but for fine-haired beauties, this weight might be too much. Because this oil can leave your curls feeling greasy and lifeless, reach for coconut oil-free products that help you maintain your volume.
In this article, we’ll be covering the fascinating history behind coconut oil, as well as explaining what alternatives can better suit your fine curly hair. Read on!
HISTORY OF COCONUT OIL
For centuries, this precious plant has offered its gifts in numerous ways: as food, as drink, and, in many cases, as cosmetics. Wherever coconut oil has grown, from India to the Philippines, people have taken full advantage of this oil’s cleansing, moisturizing power. In many areas, this oil even saw use as an effective sunscreen!
Around the early 1800s, industrial manufacturing drove soap makers towards this plant in droves. Coconut oil was cheap and incredibly effective, making it the ideal source of oil for cleansers. From here, the popularity only grew.
By the nineteenth century, this plant became a staple in many forms of cosmetic manufacturing, from makeup to lotion.
HOW IT WORKS
Like most oils, coconut oil works by creating a moisturizing seal over the cuticle of each hair strand. In doing so, it locks out the excess humidity that causes frizz and helps your dry curls stay shining and manageable. However, these benefits come with a few unintended side effects that may be counterproductive to certain hair types and textures.
PROS:
Let’s get this out of the way: there’s nothing wrong with coconut oil in and of itself. In fact, this oil carries some amazing benefits, making it clear why curly naturals have flocked to this ingredient for years!
DEEP CONDITIONING
Coconut oil has moisturizing properties, allowing it to soak deeply into dry skin and hair. For centuries, this product has been used for its ability to heal and repair ultra-dry areas. Small amounts of this oil go a long way, making it an incredibly affordable option for heavy-duty hair and skin repair.
INCREASED SHINE
By coating each individual strand of hair, this oil is capable of sealing off the cuticle, blocking out frizz, and increasing shine. Coconut oil locks in moisture and limits the amount of outside humidity that can access your curls.
Because of its ability to coat and protect, many find success using a small amount of coconut oil before jumping into the ocean or pool. The oil reportedly blocks out chlorine, salt, or other damaging substances that would otherwise soak into your fine strands.
CONS:
While coconut oil has gained a positive reputation for good reason, for people with fine curls the cons are likely enough to send you looking elsewhere for those same benefits.
REDUCES VOLUME
Though your fine, dry curls crave moisture, coconut oil may not be the best option for your hair texture. Fine hair is incredibly delicate; though your texture has amazing potential for volume, that potential can easily be dampened by heavy oils and butters like coconut oil or shea butter.
Products depending on coconut oil for moisture will likely leave your fine curls greasy and weighed down, reducing your overall volume and leaving your curls feeling coated.
LOCKS IN PROTEIN
After so many years of hearing praise for coconut oil, it can come as a shock to find that too much can leave our hair brittle, dry, or even irritated at the root! Natural beauty blogger Naptural 85 discovered just this shock herself when her usual coconut oil routine left her hair damaged and dry.
While coconut oil itself is not high in protein, it could be one of the things throwing off your hair’s balance. Coconut oil seals your cuticle and blocks out moisture and keeps hair from losing protein. Like coconut oil, protein can be positive in many settings, but you’ll quickly find that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Protein overdose can leave hair brittle, removing that natural elasticity your curls tend to have. For this reason, it may be best to leave that coconut oil product right on the shelf.
By seeking out products based on lightweight oils like argan oil, grapeseed oil, and apricot oil, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the moisturizing shine with none of the greasy downsides!
VAN + VERONICA COCONUT OIL-FREE FINE CURLY HAIR PRODUCTS
If you’ve wondered if coconut oil is really the best product for your fine curly hair, you aren’t alone. For so long, this ingredient has been considered a cure-all for every hair type, but those with naturally curly fine hair are questioning that logic. With the widespread popularity of coconut oil, however, many find it difficult to find the coconut oil-free products they need.
Don’t be disheartened!
At van + veronica, we know exactly what your fine hair needs to flourish. Our full haircare line is coconut oil-free and has everything you need to keep your curls moisturized and protected without the damage that coconut oil can bring. Our products feature lightweight oils like argan oil, grapeseed oil, and apricot oil that nourish fine, thin curls without making them brittle.
Our coconut oil-free Shampoo gently cleanses without damaging your fine strands. While our coconut oil-free and low protein Conditioner softens and conditions fine curls. Seal in moisture with our van + veronica coconut oil-free Leave-In – the perfect lightweight moisturizer for your curly, fine hair. To finish your regimen, choose our van + veronica coconut oil-free and glycerin-free Styler to seal your cuticles and complete your gorgeous look without making your fine curls hair hard or brittle.
COCONUT OIL FREE HAIR PRODUCTS FOR FINE CURLS
Your delicate hair texture has different needs; that doesn’t mean it’s difficult! It simply deserves a bit more time and attention to achieve those gorgeous natural curls we adore so much. With van + veronica’s coconut-oil free Haircare System, you’ll be able to enjoy soft, manageable curls without fear of damage or brittleness that coconut oil can cause. Our coconut oil-free line was made specifically with your unique needs in mind.
Enjoy beautiful, soft, moisturized curls with van + veronica coconut oil free products.