Coconut milk is one of the most used ingredients in hair care nowadays. It helps improve hair growth, promotes stronger hair, and controls dandruff. Coconut milk also moisturizes split ends, adds shine to dull hair, tames frizziness, makes hair softer and silkier. Here are some ways to use coconut milk for your hair.
Table of Contents
Here are the 22 incredible ways on how to use coconut milk for hair:
1. Hair Mask
Warm up 1 cup of coconut milk and leave it on the hair for about 10 to 15 minutes before washing your hair. Rinse with shampoo or apple cider vinegar (ACV) solution afterward. Repeat this once every week. If you don’t like that many creamy things on your head, mix some raw honey and coconut oil and leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing.
2. Hair Rinse
Coconut milk is a natural conditioner, so you can rinse your hair with coconut milk after shampoo to make them soft, shiny, and healthy-looking. You can also add a tablespoon of lemon juice into the mixture for added benefits.
3. Split End Treatment
Coconut milk is an excellent conditioner, so it can help treat split ends if applied to your hair regularly for a few months. You need to mix some warm coconut oil or regular oil with coconut milk, then apply the mixture to your hair ends. Leave it overnight, cover it with a shower cap and wash it off in the morning.
4. Clarifying Shampoo
Coconut milk can be used as a natural clarifying shampoo when diluted. Mix some coconut milk in water in the ratio of 1:4, then use it to cleanse your hair.
5. Hair Spray
Coconut milk is an excellent conditioner that can help strengthen your damaged hair. You need to mix equal amounts of coconut milk and aloe vera gel, then store it in a spray bottle. Spritz this natural hair spray on your hair after washing it to add shine, volume and maintain the moisture balance of your scalp.
6. Jojoba Oil Replacement
Suppose you have a coconut oil allergy; no need to worry because coconut milk can also be used to replace jojoba oil in many beauty recipes. You can use it as a hair serum, leave-in conditioner, or hot oil treatment just like jojoba oil.
7. Hair Styling Cream
Coconut milk is also used as a hair styling cream for curly hair. Just rub some coconut milk on your palms, then apply it to your hair for frizz-free curls.
8. Protein Treatment
Coconut milk contains protein, amino acids, and vitamin E, which help strengthen your hair. You need to mix 1/2 cup of coconut milk with egg yolk, then apply the mixture to your scalp and hair. Leave it for 20 minutes before washing off with a mild shampoo.
9. Fruit Mask
Like yogurt or sour cream, coconut milk can also substitute for a fruit mask. It makes hair softer and shinier. All you need to do is massage your scalp with an ample amount of coconut milk, then leave it overnight before rinsing in the morning.
10. Hair Detangler
You can make yourself a homemade detangling spray by mixing 1/4 cup of coconut milk with 4 tablespoons of water. Spritz the mixture on your damp hair to prevent breakage and reduce frizziness.
11. Protein Pack
Coconut milk contains vital proteins to be used as a protein pack for dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair. Mix some lemon juice with coconut milk, then apply the mixture on your hair ends. Leave it for a few minutes before rinsing with a mild shampoo.
12. Hot Oil Treatment
Coconut milk can be used as a hot oil treatment. Apply some coconut milk on your scalp and hair, cover yourself with a shower cap, and wrap a warm towel around your head, then wait for about 30 minutes before rinsing with shampoo.
13. Shampoo & Conditioner
You can also use coconut milk as a replacement for your shampoo and conditioner. Massage some coconut milk into your hair, then rinse it off afterward. It is highly recommended to follow up with ACV or lemon juice solution to strip away all the residue.
14. Deep Conditioner
You can also use coconut milk as a deep hair conditioner. Just apply some coconut milk on your dry hair, cover it with a shower cap, then wrap your head with a warm towel before leaving it for 30 minutes. Rinse off the mixture in the shower. You’ll be amazed by how soft and silky your hair will feel after the treatment.
15. Scalp Scrub
You can make a DIY scalp scrub at home by mixing 1 tablespoon of coconut milk with 2 tablespoons of baking soda then applying it on your hair and scalp before rinsing off with warm water. It imparts a nice glow to your hair, refreshes your scalp, and reduces sebum production.
16. Hand & Body Lotion
Coconut milk is not only good for your hair but also for your skin. You need to apply some coconut milk on your hands or body, then rinse it off with warm water after 15 minutes. It imparts a nice glow to your skin, softens rough skin, and protects your skin from premature aging.
17. Sunscreen
If you’re going for a sunbath, you can use coconut milk as sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. You need to apply some coconut milk in areas prone to sunlight, such as the nose, arms, legs, etc. If possible, you can combine it with some aloe vera gel for extra protection.
18. Body Scrub
If you don’t like using chemical-laden body scrubs, try this DIY coconut milk and sugar scrub. Combine 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of melted virgin coconut oil, then add in 2 teaspoons of raw honey and 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. Apply the mixture on damp skin, then gently rub it in a circular motion to exfoliate dead skin cells before rinsing it off with warm water
19. After-Sun Lotion
If you like sunbathing, make sure to avoid exposing yourself to the scorching sun too long because excessive exposure to sunlight can cause skin problems such as wrinkles, sunburn, etc. Once you get back home, soothe your skin with this DIY coconut milk after-sun lotion. Just combine 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 1/2 cup of coconut milk, then refrigerate the mixture before applying it to your sunburnt skin. You’ll be amazed by how fast it can heal your sunburned skin.
20. Body Wash
You can also use coconut milk as a body wash to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated all day long. Apply some coconut milk on your loofah, then scrub it all over your skin. Rinse it off after lathering. You’ll notice how soft and supple your skin will become after the treatment.
21. Lip Balm
If you have dry lips, make sure to use a lip balm that contains shea butter and coconut oil because they’re known to be effective in locking in moisture. They’re also great for softening chapped lips and getting rid of dead skin cells accumulated on the lip area.
22. Skin Repairing Mask
Coconut milk is also a good skin-repairing mask that can be applied to your face. Just mix 3 tablespoons of unhydrogenated virgin coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of raw honey, then apply it all over your face and neck before rinsing it off after 15 minutes. It helps tighten pores, reduces inflammation and redness caused by pimples, soothes irritated skin, nourishes dry skin, and prevents premature aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you leave coconut milk in your hair all day?
The great thing about coconut milk is that it doesn’t dry out, unlike other commercial conditioners. It has a pH level of 4.4 that’s almost similar to the natural pH level of our hair and scalp, which makes it safe for daily use. However, I still recommend you wash your hair after 30 minutes of application because the lauric acid contained in coconut milk may cause your scalp to become dry.
What are some of the things you can make using coconut milk?
Aside from these wonderful benefits, I’ve also noticed that coconut milk is also great in making various DIY beauty products, including body scrub, lip balm, face masks, and even toothpaste, .because leaving coconut milk in your hair overnight may cause bacterial growth.
How does coconut milk prevent hair loss?
Coconut milk has antioxidant properties that effectively reduce inflammation and provide nutrients to the scalp, which prevents hair fall out or breakage. It improves blood circulation and strengthens each strand of your hair by providing protein to make it healthy and lustrous. It also nourishes your hair follicles with a healthy dose of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E. That’s why you’ll notice less hair fallout after using this DIY hair mask.
How can I make my homemade coconut milk?
Here is a simple recipe on how to make your coconut milk at home.
- For the first method, soak 8 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut in clean filtered water for two hours, then blend it at high speed with 3 cups of the same water you used to soak the shredded coconut before straining it through a cheesecloth or muslin cloth. Repeat the above steps using 3 cups of fresh, clean water, then blend the mixture at high speed for 3 minutes. Strain through a cheesecloth or muslin cloth, then store it in an airtight container and refrigerate.
- For the second method, place 8 cups of shredded coconut in clean water, then bring to a boil before simmering on low heat for 30 minutes. Let it cool down completely, then squeeze the shredded coconut to extract its milk. Strain it through a cheesecloth or muslin cloth, then store the milk in an airtight container and refrigerate.
How do you use coconut milk for dry hair?
Coconut milk is very effective in hydrating dry hair and scalp. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to deep condition your hair because it locks in moisture and makes your strands stronger and healthier. It’s also a good idea to use this DIY treatment once or twice a week, especially during the cold winter months when the humidity level drops significantly.
What can we mix with coconut milk for hair growth?
You can mix one cup of organic aloe vera juice with half a cup of coconut milk for deep conditioning hair treatment. This wonderful hair mask has detoxifying properties that help remove build-up on your scalp and improve overall hair health. Just apply this mixture all over your hair before covering it with a shower cap, then rinse it off after 30 minutes.
Does coconut milk thicken hair?
Coconut milk makes your hair soft, shiny, and smooth without drying it out. It doesn’t only protect your strands from breakage but also thickens lustrous locks into beautiful manes. Its high levels of proteins nourish your hair follicles as well as promote hair growth naturally.
How does coconut milk make hair grow faster?
The essential fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins found in coconut milk make your hair grow faster without causing it to become flimsy or weak. It’s a great idea to use this DIY treatment at least once a month, but if you have dry hair, I suggest using it every week for the best results.
Does coconut milk improve hair elasticity?
Yes, it does. Coconut milk helps prevent damage from salt and chlorine water as well as the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Its essential fatty acids nourish your hair follicles and improve blood circulation to make your hair grow healthier and stronger.
Conclusion
Coconut milk is very effective in hydrating dry hair and scalp. It doesn’t only cleanse your locks without stripping them of their natural oils but also keeps dandruff at bay. This DIY treatment makes your mane stronger, thicker, and healthier and improves blood circulation to promote hair growth naturally.
I hope you found this article informative and useful. If you have any questions or want to share your personal experience, just leave a comment below. Thanks!