3 Alternatives to Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

While extra virgin coconut oil is a favorite of many naturals, it is not quite liked by others. After all, no two heads of hair are exactly the same. That being said, what is a woman to do when she wants some of the benefits of extra virgin coconut oil but without the oil? Well, here are three alternatives that might be worth trying:

1. Vatika enriched coconut oil

Dabur Vatika enriched coconut oil is a blend of pure coconut oil, amla, henna, lemon, neem, and other natural ingredients. For those whose strands dislike coconut oil alone, you may be surprised to find that your hair loves Vatika oil. (It is somewhat analogous to how shea butter alone is disliked by some naturals but when mixed with other substances is an instant favorite.) Some ladies use Vatika oil for sealing as well as overnight pre-poos and receive the benefit of softer, more moisturized hair.

 

2. Babassu oil

Like coconut oil, babassu oil is extracted from a kernel of the palm tree family – the babassu tree, to be exact. More importantly, it has similar proportions and composition of fatty acids as coconut oil. (The fatty acids include lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic.) Some women love using babassu oil in place of coconut oil because it is less comedogenic (i.e., it does not clog the pores as much) and lacks a greasy feel after application. Some naturals also feel that babassu oil is more penetrating.

 

3. Quality refined coconut oil

Maybe you love everything about extra virgin coconut oil except the smell. Then you might want to try refined coconut oil, which is generally odorless. Beware, however, that not all refined coconut oils are of good quality. Look for those that have not undergone a chemical-based cleaning process and hydrogenation.

Originally written for BGLH. Revised.