Try This Moisturizing Coconut Milk Cocktail The Next Time You Deep Condition

Many hair care enthusiasts will tell you how beneficial the humble coconut has been in their hair journeys. Along with anecdotal evidence, the benefits of coconut oil* have also been documented in studies which show that it prevents hair damage during combing.

Deep conditioning* with coconut milk, honey, olive, and rosemary oils can help maintain moisture balance in your hair until the next wash day. If coconut oil* is drying to your hair or you are just not getting the benefits that you expect to get when using coconut oil, then this coconut milk cocktail might be the way to go the next time you deep condition.

Why Coconut Milk?

Coconut milk comes from mature coconuts and is high in fatty acids, iron, and proteins that strengthens hair and helps reduce shedding and breakage.

It also contains Vitamin E*, which is beneficial to the hair. Since coconut milk contains protein, it’s best to add your choice of oils and honey to give the mix more balance. If you’re being plagued with hair problems such as slow growth or thinning coconut milk can definitely help.

You could grate your own coconuts, use cheesecloth and squeeze the milk into a bowl. However, this route isn’t for me, perhaps one day. Until then I prefer to use the Thai brand that only contains coconut, water, and Guar Gum. Just make sure you don’t pick up a brand with additional additives.

Coconut Milk Cocktail Using Honey, Olive Oil, And Rosemary

Let’s make coconut milk a little more interesting. If you’re a DIY kind of gal, then you will enjoy enhancing your mixtures.

Honey isn’t just for adding to your tea and other delicious items prepared in the kitchen. If you can eat it, you can definitely use it for health and beauty. It is a natural humectant that attracts moisture from the air and provides sheen to dull, lifeless hair.

Another appealing quality of adding honey are the nutrients and antioxidants it contains that nourishes hair follicles while encouraging growth, as it helps to prevent hair fall by stimulating hair follicles. Honey is also an antibacterial, so it aids in keeping our scalp free of infections and bacteria.

Olive Oil*

There are so many wonderful oils to use for hair care, but just remember less is more. There’s no need to run out and purchase every oil in existence. I like to keep my oil use to four or five and switch things up every few months. Any carrier oil like sunflower, castor, sweet almond*, or jojoba can be used for this DIY mixture.

Olive oil* promotes hair growth and can make your hair fuller and thicker. It also helps to aid in deep conditioning* when heated. Besides growth, it can make your hair soft and luxurious while fighting dandruff, bacteria, and other kinds of infections.

Olive oil also boosts scalp circulation, especially when paired with scalp massages. This oil halts the DTH hormone, which can sometimes be the reason behind hair loss. This hormone can actually cause hair follicle shafts to narrow.

Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Rosemary Oil* is an essential oil that encourages growth and strengthens hair by stimulating the follicles as well. Great for aiding in thinning temples, or alopecia, this oil can be mixed with carrier oils, and/or conditioners to help relieve flaky, dry scalps.

We must warn you that pregnant or women who breast feed should not use this oil, as it can possibly cause disabilities of the fetus or miscarriage.

As with any essential oil you are using for the first time to ensure you aren’t allergic, perform a patch test on the inside of your wrist or upper arm.

Reap the rewards of deep conditioning*

To gain the full benefits of deep conditioning* with your coconut* milk cocktail, sit beneath the dryer or steam your hair for 10-20 minutes or longer, if preferred.

To gain the most benefits, make sure to deep condition according to your hair’s needs. This might me doing it weekly, bi-weekly, or once a month. That way your hair will reap the benefits of each combined ingredient at a time when it really needs it.

Remember to refrigerate or freeze

If you’re using cans of coconut* milk, you’ll probably have some left over for many weeks to come. You’ll want to refrigerate the mix that evening. If you don’t plan to use it until a few weeks later, you will want to freeze your mix in a large Ziploc baggy or an ice cube tray.

Application and additional ingredients

Having an application bottle comes in handy on wash day since this mixture tends to be a little watery, even with the added oils and honey or, you can simply put the concoction into an old conditioner bottle. Just make sure the bottle is thoroughly cleansed before you do this.

If you prefer thicker hair products, you may want to try Guar or Xanthan Gum. Both gums are thickening agents commonly used in foods and cosmetics and can be found on Amazon, Bulk Apothecary, or any of your local vitamin shops.

If you choose to use either thickening agent, you should know that you that these gums will swell and are prone to becoming lumpy. This process takes a little time and patience to completely dissolve into your mixture. Since castor oil* is highly viscous, you may want to add about a tablespoon or two in your recipe.

The sky’s the limit with this concoction; feel free to substitute carrier and essential oils* you already have in your beauty arsenal.

Happy conditioning!