Coconut Oil for Hair: Pure vs. Fractionated

Regarding your questions about coconut oil for hair nourishment:

1. Type of Coconut Oil for Hair: The type of coconut oil commonly used for hair nourishment is generally the same type used for cooking.

2. Fractionated vs. Pure Coconut Oil Effectiveness: Fractionated Coconut Oil is produced by processing pure Coconut Oil to isolate certain components, primarily medium-chain triglycerides (like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride). This process removes some elements present in pure Coconut Oil.

   While Fractionated Coconut Oil may lack some components of the pure form, there is no specific research comparing the benefits of the removed parts for skin or hair. In practical cosmetic formulation, pure Coconut Oil (which is solid at room temperature, like Coconut Butter) is less commonly used due to its consistency, which requires heating and specific emulsifiers for incorporation into many product types. Heat can potentially degrade natural oils.

   Fractionated Coconut Oil, being liquid, colorless, odorless, and having a long shelf life, is much easier to work with in formulations. It is lightweight, easily absorbed, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic, making it a popular choice for various cosmetic products like massage oils, creams, and hair treatments, and it can also be used directly on the hair and skin.

   Therefore, while pure Coconut Oil has its natural properties, Fractionated Coconut Oil is often preferred in cosmetic applications due to its superior stability, ease of use, and pleasant feel, despite the fractionalization process.