“Coconut oil acts as a sealant, as it helps trap water into the skin to keep it moist,” Patel explained. “In doing this, it does act like a moisturizer, but it is still best used over a moisturizer, or on damp skin.”
Yes, you can use coconut oil as a moisturizer depending on your skin type. It is comedogenic, meaning it can potentially clog pores, so if you have oily or combination skin it's best to avoid using pure coconut oil as a moisturizer.
There is a difference between moisturizing and sealing oils. Moisturizing oils like Coconut Oil penetrate the hair shaft to moisturize the hair. While sealing oils like Castor Oil sit on top of the hair to seal in shine. If you've been using sealing oil as a moisturizer, this may be why your hair still feels dry.
The most popular sealing oils–black castor oil, grapeseed oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and soybean oil–are the most popular ones. Shop one or all of them below.
Coconut Oil: In its unrefined extra virgin state Coconut oil is actually both a moisturizer and a sealant. Coconut oil is capable of penetrating the shaft due to its molecular structure in limited amounts. This results in the remaining oil staying on the outside of the hair shaft and acting as a sealant.
Do oils moisturize hair? The answer is yes, but only certain oils. There are two main types of oils you should know about: moisturizing oils and sealing oils. Some oils are thinner than others and can actually penetrate the hair to provide moisture, while others serve the sole purpose of sealing in moisture.
Some examples of moisturizing oil are coconut, avocado, and olive oils. Sealing oils don't penetrate your hair shaft but help seal in the moisture of your hair. Some examples of sealing oils are Black castor, grape-seed, and jojoba oils.
SPRING/SUMMER SEALANTS
If you want light, fluffy, and full, aloe vera is your go-to summer sealant. Jojoba Oil: This lightweight oil is great for all hair types; whether you're just touching up the ends, or evenly distributing on all your strands, it doesn't weigh hair down but does provide a nice, light sealant.
This innovative oil is also infused with humectants that will continuously provide moisture to your hair day after day. There are 4 main ways to use our Aloe & Almond hair oil. It is great for: Sealing in moisture.
It's Moisturizing and Healing
Shea butter acts as a sealant, too, locking in moisture and protecting cells from outside irritants and extreme weather; this provides ideal conditions for the healing of dry, cracked skin.
Battle dandruff: The antifungal and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil also help in getting rid of dandruff. It is a natural conditioner and moisturiser. It removes any agents that cause drying of scalp and its flaking. It also soothes the resulting itchiness if you do have dandruff.
The skin generally absorbs coconut oil quickly. If someone is using coconut oil for the first time, they should test it on a small area of the body before applying it to more extensive areas.
Typical curl stylers (especially gel formulas) work by creating a seal on hair. This seal prevents frizz from forming and helps lock in curl definition, but it's not meant to be left in a stiff state. To soften things up, break the cast: Coat your palms with a thin layer of a finishing product such as serum or pomade.
Aloe vera gel and coconut oil for hair growth
To use them together you first need to blend a cup of aloe vera gel, to ensure that there are no lumps. Once blended properly add coconut oil and the aloe gel to a saucepan. Heat the mixture till it stops bubbling. Once done let the oil cool down.
Using aloe vera on the face can help moisturize skin. Regularly applying a small amount of aloe vera to the face can help treat various skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and sunburn. A person can use the gel directly from an aloe vera plant or buy a bottled variety from a health store.
It all boils down to what the difference between a moisturizer and a sealant is. According to the Mayo Clinic, moisturizers prevents and treat dry skin as they hold water in the outermost layer of the skin. The sealant on the other hand does not bring the moisture to your strands, but just holds it in.
According to Curly Nikki, sweet almond oil acts as a great hair sealant, but doesn't hold the same moisturizing properties as the heartier oils like coconut oil.
Jojoba oil has soothing anti-inflammatory agents, healing properties, is moisturizing, and is a natural antimicrobial. These properties suggest that jojoba oil could help you avoid breakouts as well as promote healing for mild acne.
You should use your moisturizer daily to achieve well defined and refreshed natural curls over time. Some water-based moisturizers for natural hair you can try out include; Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Cream, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, or Cantu Shea Butter Curling Cream.
When using a moisturizing conditioner or mask, you should work the product in the ends of your hair first, and then work your way up to the middle of your strands. You don't need to apply moisturizer to your scalp unless it's extremely dry.