Skip to Content

Is Coconut Oil Bad for Low Porosity Hair? (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

is coconut oil bad for low porosity hairAre you struggling to keep your low porosity hair healthy and hydrated? You may have heard the wonders of coconut oil, but is it really a good choice for this type of hair? The truth is, while coconut oil can be beneficial for low porosity hair in moderation, there are far better oils available.

In this article, we’ll explore why coconut oil isn’t ideal for low porosity hair and discuss which types of oils will give you the best results.

Key Takeaways

  • Coconut oil is not ideal for low porosity hair due to its molecule size.
  • Jojoba and grapeseed oils are effective in penetrating low porosity hair.
  • Oils rich in fatty acids and vitamins, such as argan, sweet almond, and avocado, help retain moisture in low porosity hair.
  • Camellia seed oil, which is rich in omegas and antioxidants, is a suitable option for low porosity hair.

Is Coconut Oil Bad for Low Porosity Hair?

Is Coconut Oil Bad for Low Porosity Hair
When it comes to low porosity hair, understanding how coconut oil affects its health is key. The general rule is that coconut oil isn’t the best choice for this type of hair; however, some with a balance between low and average porosity may be able to use fractionated coconut oil.

For those who need better options than regular or fractionated coconut oils, there are lightweight alternatives like jojoba and grapeseed oils which can penetrate more easily into tight cuticles without leaving a greasy residue.

Understanding How Coconut Oil Affects Low Porosity Hair

It’s time to face the facts: if you have low porosity hair, slathering on coconut oil just isn’t going to cut it. Instead, opt for lightweight oils like jojoba and grapeseed that are better able to penetrate low-porosity hair.

Oils rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, such as argan, sweet almond, or avocado, can also help retain moisture while nourishing the scalp. When applying these oils, use techniques such as sealing or hot oil treatments, then mix them with conditioner for extra hydration.

The Exception to the Rule

You may find yourself in the unique position of being able to use coconut oil with remarkable success despite having low porosity hair.

  1. Incorporate lightweight, water-based products into your pre-shampoo routine.
  2. Avoid excess application and product buildup.
  3. Balance out heavier oils with lighter ones like jojoba or grapeseed oil.
  4. Regularly apply lightweight oils to maintain healthy hydration levels.

Coconut oil is not typically recommended for those with low porosity hair, but if used carefully and correctly, you may be one of the exception cases that benefit from its properties.

Better Oils for Low Porosity Hair

Try sealing in moisture with jojoba or grapeseed oil for low porosity hair to get the nourishment you need without greasy buildup. Different methods like hot oil treatments, mixing with shampoo and conditioner, as well as simply sealing can be used on different porosity levels.

Jojoba and grapeseed oils provide lightweight hydration that won’t weigh down your hair while maintaining scalp health.

Oils such as avocado, sweet almond, argan, camellia seed, and baobab are all beneficial for those looking to improve their hair care routine.

Types of Oils for Low Porosity Hair

If you have low porosity hair, then jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, and avocado oil are all great options to use for nourishment. These oils penetrate the cuticles of the hair more easily than coconut or olive oils, which can lead to product buildup on your scalp.

Jojoba Oil

Cliganic USDA Organic Jojoba OilView On Amazon
A bottle of Jojoba oil is like a magical elixir for low porosity hair, offering an array of benefits that can lead to strong, healthy locks. It’s lightweight and fast-absorbing properties make it perfect for skin and hair care.

This versatile oil can be used as a moisturizer, anti-aging treatment, or essential oil carrier. It penetrates deeply into the scalp to lock in moisture while restoring dryness and dullness from within.

Rich in vitamins A, D & E, along with omega 3s, 6s, & 9 fatty acids, organic jojoba oil helps reduce breakouts on the face while protecting against sun damage too! With its non-greasy feel yet pleasant scent, this nourishing product comes with a pump, which makes dispensing easy – saving you money on other beauty products while reducing your environmental footprint due to its ocean-friendly packaging!

Pros
  • Lightweight and fast absorption properties
  • Non-GMO certified vegan/cruelty-free
  • Ideal for tattoo aftercare/moisturization
  • Versatile uses e.g., facial oils, etc.
  • Ocean-friendly packaging
  • Pleasant scent
Cons
  • Pump may cause leakage
  • Use sparingly
  • Not suitable for all skin types

Grapeseed Oil

Pure Grapeseed Oil for SkinView On Amazon
Grapeseed oil is a great choice for low porosity hair because it’s lightweight yet deeply hydrating, helping to restore moisture and prevent frizz. It is rich in vitamin C and E, making it an effective antioxidant that can protect the scalp from sun damage while moisturizing your strands.

Grapeseed oil has fast absorption properties, so you don’t have to worry about greasy residue or product buildup on your hair.

As a versatile carrier oil, grapeseed oil can be used with other essential oils to create DIY haircare products like masks or conditioners that provide extra hydration for low-porosity locks. Its ocean-friendly nature also makes it safe if accidentally spilled into water sources.

Pros
  • Rich in vitamins C & E
  • Fast absorption properties
  • Versatile carrier oil
  • Ocean-friendly nature
Cons
  • Strong scent may not appeal to everyone
  • Bottle nozzle design may cause leakage

Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot Kernel Oil is an excellent choice for low porosity hair, as it has a high content of essential fatty acids and contains over 70% oleic acid! Benefits include moisturizing the scalp, improving the texture and shine of hair, and reducing frizziness.

It can be used to condition pre-shampoo or mixed with shampoo/conditioner. For best results, incorporate it into a balanced hair care routine which includes regular oiling with lightweight oils like apricot kernel and avoiding excessive use of coconut oil.

Moisturizing benefits are improved when heat is applied during conditioning, but it should not be applied directly to the scalp if it is sensitive.

Avocado Oil

MAJESTIC PURE Avocado Oil -View On Amazon
You’ll love the luxurious feel of avocado oil, which quickly absorbs into your hair and skin without leaving a greasy residue. Majestic Pure’s Avocado Oil is an excellent choice for low porosity hair as it contains essential vitamins A, D, E & K along with omega 3 fatty acids to nourish and protect while promoting healthier growth.

This 100% pure and natural cold-pressed oil can be used as a pre-shampoo or hot oil treatment to deeply condition your locks from root to tip.

Customers report improved softness in their skin after using this product regularly; however, some may find its scent overpowering despite being fragrance-free, so proceed with caution if you have sensitive smell buds.

Pro:

Cons:

  • Patch test recommended due to potential irritation
  • Store in a cool dark place for longevity
  • May stain fabrics

Tips for Using Oils on Low Porosity Hair

Tips for Using Oils on Low Porosity Hair
If you have low porosity hair, understanding the right way to apply oil can help promote healthy growth and retain moisture. Lightweight oils are beneficial for this type of hair because they easily penetrate the strands and do not leave behind any product buildup.

Choosing an oil that is specifically formulated for low porosity locks can make a significant difference in your overall look and feel.

Ways to Apply Oil to Low Porosity Hair

Discover how to moisturize and nourish your low-porosity hair with the perfect oil for you! Low porosity hair requires special care when it comes to applying oils. To get maximum benefit from an oil, use a simple strand test or take a porosity test at home first.

Different methods exist for applying oil to low porosity locks. One method is sealing, where you apply oil to your hair after moisturizing to lock in the moisture. Another method is using hot oil treatments, which involve heating up the oil and applying it to your hair for deep conditioning.

You can also mix oil with your shampoo or conditioner before washing to ensure your hair gets the benefits of the oil.

Applying heat during conditioning can also help open up the cuticles of your hair, allowing moisture to enter more easily into the strands. This can be done by using a hair steamer or applying a warm towel to your hair while conditioning.

Balancing out lightweight products with heavier ones is key in getting hydration right for low porosity hair. This helps avoid product buildup and greasy scalp issues that can lead to unhealthy hair growth patterns.

Experiment with different oils and products to find the perfect balance for your hair.

Benefits of Lightweight Oils

Lightweight oils, such as jojoba and argan, can be your hair’s saving grace – delivering deep hydration to help keep low porosity locks soft and supple. Applying lightweight oil pre-shampoo helps reduce product buildup while maintaining clear follicles for healthy hair growth.

Oils like avocado or baobab are also great moisturizing alternatives with their rich vitamins and fatty acids content. For best results on low porosity hair, favorites include grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, or camellia seed oil.

Carefully choose the right products to ensure they penetrate without weighing down the cuticle layer for softer strands that last.

Choosing the Right Oils for Low Porosity Hair

Finding the right oils to nourish your hair can be a challenge, but with the wide range of lightweight options available, you’re sure to find one that works for you. When choosing an oil for low porosity hair, it’s important to consider factors such as molecular size and weight.

Oils like argan, jojoba, and sweet almond are good choices because they penetrate easily without weighing down your locks. For additional hydration benefits, look into Camellia seed oil or Grapeseed oil, which both have high concentrations of vitamins A & E, respectively.

Avocado is another popular choice due to its moisturizing properties, while Baobab is great at protecting against sun damage and promoting collagen production in your scalp! With so many effective oils out there, finding what works best for you should come easy – just remember moderation when applying them!

Best Oils for Low Porosity Hair

If you have low porosity hair, applying the right oil is essential for keeping your tresses healthy and hydrated. PURA DOR Argan Oil, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Majestic Pure Avocado Oil, Japanese Camellia Oil Tsubaki, Grapeseed Oil for Skin and Hair.

PURA DOR Argan Oil

PURA DView On Amazon
Try PURA DOR Argan Oil for a salon-like treatment, as its fast absorption rate leaves your hair and skin soft and hydrated without being too greasy. This USDA organic oil is unrefined with no additives or fillers, making it perfect for restoring dry and dull hair.

It’s highly hydrating while containing essential vitamins that also help to protect from sun damage.

Furthermore, this versatile product can be used to moisturize face, skin, or nails in addition to scalp care; plus, it’s an ideal carrier oil when diluting essential oils.

Pros
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Unrefined with no additives or fillers
  • Highly hydrating while providing protection from sun damage
  • Versatile product suitable for skin, face, and nail hydration in addition to scalp care
  • Nutty scent eliminates the need for additional fragrances
Cons
  • Can cause oily facial shine on some users
  • Use sparingly on hair may lead to greasiness
  • Bottle nozzle design may cause leakage

Organic Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet Almond Oil - Organic,View On Amazon
Organic sweet almond oil is a great way to protect and soften your skin, while also providing deep hydration for low porosity hair. This cold-pressed extract is USDA certified organic, unrefined, hexane-free, scent-free, and fast-absorbing – perfect for all of your beauty needs.

The light texture makes it easy to apply without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin or in the hair. Plus, it absorbs quickly into both! It can be used as an anti-aging moisturizer that helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

It also rehydrates dry skin, protects from sun damage, brightens complexion tones, soothes redness and irritation caused by acne breakouts, and reduces stretch marks and other blemishes.

Furthermore, its vitamins C and E make it ideal as a carrier liquid when creating DIY projects such as facial scrubs and cleansers, along with natural aromatherapy essential oil mixtures!

Pros
  • Rich in Vitamin E
  • Lightweight formula
  • Non-greasy texture
Cons
  • Strong scent (patch test recommended)
  • Not suitable for oily/combination skins

Majestic Pure Avocado Oil

Experience the nourishing and hydrating properties of Majestic Pure Avocado Oil, with its high concentration of fatty acids quickly absorbed to leave your hair soft and smooth. It’s perfect for DIY beauty projects like carrier oils for essential oils or as a facial oil, moisturizer, anti-aging cream, or even sun protection.

A great choice for low porosity hair that struggles to retain moisture and is prone to breakage due to tight cuticles.

Its natural scent makes it ideal both in skincare products as well as in aromatherapy recipes where other heavy scents can be overpowering.

Japanese Camellia Oil Tsubaki

100% Pure Japanese Camellia SeedView On Amazon
Unlock the beauty secret of Japanese Geisha with Oleo Botanicals’ Japanese Camellia Oil Tsubaki for intense hydration and nourishment of your low porosity hair. This luxurious oil is 100% pure, cold-pressed, unrefined, and imported from Japan into the USA in small batches to ensure its potency.

Rich in omegas 3, 6 & 9 essential fatty acids, vitamins A, D & E, as well as polyphenol antioxidants, it offers a range of benefits that will leave you feeling confident about your looks again.

Suitable for all skin types, including those prone to eczema or psoriasis, this natural oil also provides anti-aging effects which improve collagen production – something we could all do with some more of!

Pros
  • Fast-absorbing, hypoallergenic product suitable for face massages
  • Highly moisturizing formula perfect even on sensitive skins such as eczema/psoriasis
  • Restores moisture balance while providing anti-aging effects
Cons
  • Not suitable if strong scents are not preferred
  • Can be expensive compared to other products available on the market
  • Dark glass bottle can be difficult to open sometimes

Grapeseed Oil Skin Hair

Try Grapeseed Oil Skin Hair for a luxurious natural moisturizer that’s perfect for dry skin and hair. It leaves them softer, smoother, and more hydrated. But why stop there? This versatile oil is rich in Vitamin C & E and can also be used as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils.

It helps maintain clear follicles and prevents product buildup. Plus, its non-greasy absorption properties make it great for DIY hair masks or facial scrubs.

Not to mention, Grapeseed Oil Skin Hair contains beneficial omega 3s, 6, and 9 fatty acids that help repair breakage and split ends.

Organic Baobab Oil Moisturizer

Renewalize Certified Organic Baobab OilView On Amazon
Discover the natural healing properties of Organic Baobab Oil Moisturizer, and feel your skin transform into a softer, smoother version of itself. USDA certified organic and cold-pressed from African Tree of Life seeds, this moisturizer is rich in omega 3s, 6s, and 9 essential fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K.

It quickly absorbs to hydrate and rejuvenate skin cells while reducing redness or irritation. The oil can be used as a cleanser without leaving behind an oily film on the face or body – perfect for all types, including those with sensitive skin! This versatile product is even suitable for hair care to restore dryness while adding shine and volume.

To ensure maximum potency, it’s best stored in a dark place such as a cabinet away from direct light sources like sunlight or fluorescent bulbs, which could oxidize its nutrients over time. Overall, reviews are generally positive about its effectiveness when properly used sparingly – although some users found that there may have been variations between different batches purchased (color-wise).

Furthermore, there were mixed opinions about the scent, with some finding it unpleasant. However, most agree that it’s lightweight enough not to leave any residue after application, making it ideal, especially for middle-aged people who want something odorless yet still hydrating their delicate skins around the eye area, etcetera.

Pros
  • Rich in omega 3s, 6s, and 9 essential fatty acids, plus vitamins A, D, E, and K
  • Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy feeling
  • Can be used as a cleanser on the face/body
  • Suitable for hair restoration/volume
Cons
  • Variations between different batches purchased (color-wise)
  • Unpleasant smell for some
  • Not suitable if you have very sensitive skin

Organic Jojoba Oil Pump

Cliganic Organic Jojoba Oil Pump is a luxurious, single-ingredient product that can be used to hydrate and nourish your skin, hair, and nails. With 16oz of pure cold-pressed oil in every bottle, you’ll have enough for multiple DIY projects.

Plus, with its high concentration of omegas 3, 6 & 9 essential fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, D & E, this multi-purpose moisturizer will leave your skin glowing! It helps protect from sun damage while reducing redness and irritation.

Regular use rehydrates the scalp, which improves the overall health of low porosity hair when combined with other lightweight oils like Argan or Avocado in a balanced care routine.

Grapeseed oil provides intense moisture, while Camellia seed strengthens locks to reduce frizz, making Jojoba an ideal choice for maintaining healthy tresses without residue buildup or a greasy feel.

Aunt Jackies Hair Oil

Aunt JackieView On Amazon
Experience the nourishing benefits of Aunt Jackie’s Hair Oil, enriched with Jamaican black castor oil, to help revive and condition chronically dry hair. This natural hair growth oil blend works hard to prevent and correct damage, as well as treat thinning and shedding.

It is suitable for all types of curly or wavy hair, but it is especially effective for coily, coarse, or thicker textures.

Reviews praise its pleasant scent, which helps keep your locks feeling refreshed throughout the day without greasiness or heaviness.

Pros
  • Prevents and corrects damage and breakage
  • Treats thinning and shedding
  • Softens and moisturizes effectively
  • Pleasant scent that lasts all day
Cons
  • Bottle nozzle design may cause leakage
  • Too heavy for 4c type hair
  • A little goes a long way

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Oil

Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla MoistureView On Amazon
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Oil is the perfect solution for hydrating your low porosity hair, leaving it feeling soft and silky. This luxurious oil contains natural ingredients like Aloe, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond oil, Calendula, and Chamomile Extracts, as well as Safflower Oil to provide deep conditioning with extra hydration.

The warm and sensual black vanilla scent adds an indulgent feel that will leave you relaxed after use.

For those who have experienced dandruff or an itchy scalp due to dryness in their low porosity hair prior to using this product, relief can be found by applying a few pumps of the Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Oil before shampooing or doing a hot oil treatment.

It is recommended to allow several minutes between application and washing off for maximum absorption into your strands. This oil can also help reduce frizz in biracial hairstyles while refreshing dull locks with its concentrated vanilla smell.

The results of using this hair oil are great, but it does come at quite an expense. Users should weigh up their options when considering buying this product. It is important to note that using too much of this oil on certain types of hair can create static electricity.

Pros
  • Adds moisture to dry and brittle hair
  • Replenishes and maintains natural balance
  • Improves manageability and adds shine
  • Contains nourishing ingredients such as aloe, shea butter, etc.
  • Provides deep conditioning benefits
Cons
  • Expensive price tag
  • May create static electricity in hair

Conclusion

Like a knight in shining armor, the right oils can come to the rescue of low porosity hair in need of hydration and moisturization. Coconut oil is not typically suitable for low porosity hair due to its large molecules, but fractionated coconut oil with smaller molecules is better.

Jojoba, grapeseed, argan, sweet almond, baobab, apricot, camellia, pomegranate, avocado, sesame, rosehip, and safflower oil are all better options for low porosity hair and have proven to be effective in providing the necessary hydration and nourishment.

To reap the maximum benefits, it’s important to apply the oils correctly and to use lightweight oils that can penetrate the tightly packed cuticles of low porosity hair. With the right oils and the proper application, low porosity hair can be softer, smoother, and more hydrated.

Avatar for Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and beard care expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of men make their beards look better and get fatter. His work has been mentioned in countless notable publications on men's care and style and has been cited in Seeker, Wikihow, GQ, TED, and Buzzfeed.