Olive oil vs coconut oil?

joseybird · 02-27-2013, 04:54 PM

So I hear that coconut oil is the "best" oil that penetrates the hair shaft, but olive oil seems to be more popular, at least when it comes to "cocktailing."

Can anyone who's tried both explain how these two oils differ? Thanks!!

Jas76 · 02-27-2013, 04:59 PM

Actually, both penetrate the hair shaft.

Some people who are protein sensitive say they have problems with EVCO, tho other protein sensitives have no problem with it.

EVCO is a solid under a certain temp, though it should melt in your palm with no problem.

It's mostly a matter of preference, I think. I use each for different things!

joseybird · 02-27-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jas76

Actually, both penetrate the hair shaft.

Oh, I know

I'd just heard that coconut oil is "better" somehow and don't know why if it's less popular than olive oil.

Jas76 · 02-27-2013, 05:02 PM

Sorry! I added more to my post - my cold decided to send it before I was done! Lol!!

I haven't found one to be better than the other, just different!

dusalocks · 02-27-2013, 08:04 PM

After going on a hair research bender the past three months I'd say they're equally popular. And I like them both. Coconut smells better though. . . also coconut is really nice to rub into your skin when it gets dry. I sleep with it on my face now. And try grapeseed oil. It penetrates the hair shaft too but is way-y-y lighter than the others and doesn't smell like much. I'm using it to seal and I also throw it in for deep treatments along with EVCO and EVOO. I still need to buy some pure argan oil to add my arsenal.

Ericachristina · 02-27-2013, 09:28 PM

I prefer coconut oil I find it makes my hair feel softer. The olive oil is just way too heavy and greasy for my hair and its difficult for me to get out.

LoveInBetween · 02-27-2013, 09:57 PM

I like both. I like olive oil for sealing and adding to my DTs BUT I like coconut oil as a prepoo. I use it detangle my hair before I cowash or cleanse. Although I use jojoba for sealing now, I still use oilve in my DT.

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hambo02 · 02-28-2013, 12:44 AM

olive oil. coconut dries my hair out ;/

LoveInBetween · 02-28-2013, 04:15 AM

+1

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Jessiebanana · 02-28-2013, 07:58 AM

Olive oil is too heavy to be as effective for me. It's okay in a DC, but I prefer coconut.

Jas76 · 02-28-2013, 08:25 AM

I use EVOO in my DT's, and sometimes as a pre-poo.

I use EVCO as a pre-poo way more commonly than EVOO, especially overnight (when I know I'm washing in the morning). I use it as an additive to LI once in a while, and as an additive to PT's, in that it's suppose to aid in protein retention.

EVCO has some natural SPF qualities.

I find EVCO can be co-washed out where EVOO cannot. (At least for me).

I have put EVCO on dry hair (mainly in the summer when it will stay liquidy - otherwise it makes my hair feel dry when it solidifies in it), but find EVOO on dry hair can be tragic for me!

Jessiebanana · 02-28-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jas76

I find EVCO can be co-washed out where EVOO cannot. (At least for me).

I think this is it for me. Because it doesn't co-wash out I don't use it. I try to only shampoo when I'm experimenting with new products or when my hair gets really gross during the rugby season. My hair is naturally really dry, but it's not porous either.

Jas76 · 02-28-2013, 10:20 AM

You know... If I just use some in my DT it seems to rinse out just fine, tho. Thought I should add that!!

dusalocks · 02-28-2013, 11:13 AM

I think both olive and coconut are too heavy to seal with but I may be wrong. I haven't tested them out yet and I only seal with a few drops of oil so maybe they'd work and I'm just being a chicken. However I've reevaluated my answer. I'm going to agree with Jas and Jessie and say I like coconut more because it's a little lighter and more practical for day to day use. The only time I put olive in my hair is when I DT. It does cowash out for me, but then I mix it with other things when I DT. I don't use it alone. Maybe if I was using it alone it'd stick around.

Jas76 · 02-28-2013, 11:20 AM

Same here! It rinses fine when in a DT, on it's own I would take me 2 poos to get it out!

I don't seal with either. It's been pointed out to me that since both these oils penetrate the hair shaft so well they aren't suitable for sealing. That being said, some seal with them and love them. My hair, however, will get limp and stringy, and then will dry out later bc it doesn't have an effective long-lasting seal.

Again - that can just be me and my hair properties. If you are a coarse, low-porous girl you may have the opposite results!

dusalocks · 02-28-2013, 11:27 AM

That too! Forgot to mention it. Yes, if the oils are penetrating the hair shaft they might not be so great for sealing. Grapeseed oil penetrates too, but it seems to work the same as jojoba for me when it comes to sealing. But maybe I'll do a 50/50 mix and put it in a little bottle. Usually on second or third day hair I'll add in a product to refresh that's rich in oils anyways (like Shea Moisture) and that acts as a double sealer.

P.S. And if you're a coarse, porous curly you're in a pickle!

P.P.S. I got some gelatin, Jas. My hair seems to be liking/craving protein this week so I thought I'd give it a go.

earthnuts · 02-28-2013, 03:43 PM

Coconut oil is one of the most penetrating oils for the hair. It's high in saturated fats, which are small molecules that can easily penetrate the hair. It also helps to retain hair protein (though it contains no actual protein, like any other oil) so hair that doesn't like protein may not like it. I find it best used as a pre-treatment or deep treatment. Any very or semi penetrating oil can work for that.

Olive oil is semi-penetrating because it's high in monounsaturated fats. I like it for sealing. Any semi or low penetrating oil can work for sealing. Because olive oil is semi penetrating it can also be a good deep treatment. It's easy to find so it's popular for all kinds of uses.

Grapeseed oil is a low penetrating oil. It's high in polyunsaturated fats, which don't penetrate the hair well. Jojoba oil is a liquid wax, which also penetrates the hair poorly. Both are good for sealing.

I have a huge list of oils here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...yUzVURXc#gid=3 that can help you determine whether a fat is penetrating or not.

Jessiebanana · 02-28-2013, 04:51 PM

I thought grape seed was a non penetrating sealing oil, thanks for clearing that up.

dusalocks · 02-28-2013, 05:05 PM

You rock, Earthnuts!

Jas76 · 02-28-2013, 07:49 PM

Great post and link, earthnuts!

Hope you like the gelatin, Dusalocks!