I've been experimenting with some new natural products for moisturizing and conditioning. This week, I bought some pure coconut oil to give it a go. When I opened the container it was completely solid; and that was because it was -15C when I was walking home with it in my bag. It's melting point is 24C. I don't think that it will turn into pure liquid in my apartment because I don't keep it that warm. I like it a little chilly in here (yeah I'm a freak). But with a little experimentation, I've found that coconut oil is really easy to work with. It melts right underneath your fingertips if you dip your finger right into the container. It even melts faster than shea butter.
I spooned some out into a smaller container that I can use for finger-dipping because I don't want to spoil an entire container with constant handling: the dirt from your fingers, scalp and hair can make the coconut oil go rancid much faster.
So far, I really enjoy the coconut oil because it's really light, prevents breakage, makes your hair and scalp soft, and goes a long way if you use a little. I would consider it a great daily moisturizer if you moisturize your scalp every day. My only issue with it is using it in the winter. I used it to twist my hair a few days ago; and when I went outside in below freezing weather, the twists became a little bit stiff. My hair wasn't crunchy it was just a little stiff. It kind of feels like a weak gel in your hair. But as soon as I went back inside, it instantly became soft again. The drop in temperature will cause the coconut oil to thicken in your hair. It'll become soft again once you're in room temperature.
I'm not entirely sure if allowing coconut oil to thicken in your hair, in colder temperatures, is a damaging thing; I kind of wonder if it coats your hair from the temperature. I'm no biologist, so if anyone knows for sure, holler at me.
I definitely think that once the temperature is regularly above zero that coconut oil would make a great daily moisturizer for scalp and hair, since it's lightweight, in comparison to things like shea butter-- which is heavier and and needs to be applied less often, lasting longer in between washes.
A tinge of adventure struck me and I tried coconut oil as a facial moisturizer and I must say that I'm rather impressed. It's light and absorbs quickly on a freshly washed face and gives me a bit of a sheer matte glow. I have oily skin and so I've found that a lot of moisturizers make my skin look shiny after several hours; but with the coconut oil, I'm experiencing no shine I think I'm going to continue this and see if I notice any changes over a few days. Can't say if other people would experience the same thing... this is just what turned out for me.
On to Vegetable Glycerin:
So.... for people who use it on a daily basis... do you find it a little bit sticky? Not strong enough to be an adhesive but just a little bit tacky on the hair and fingers. Maybe I'm using too much. I should mess around with the portions the next time I mix up my morning spritz solution. I'm not sure if I'd buy it again; but let me see what changing the water-glycerin ratio does first. It's a little expensive, 15.99 CAD for 16oz. It's not entirely necessary and can be done without. After I finish this bottle I think I won't try it again until the summer. Since vegetable glycerin is a humectant, it draws moisture from the air into your hair. The winter months in Southern Ontario aren't very humid. So i don't know if I'm getting the most out of it.
