You might’ve heard people refer to coconut water as ‘Mother Nature’s Sport’s Drink’, and there’s likely a jar of coconut oil in your pantry. From this one (not so) small fruit comes so many delicious products – coconut water, coconut oil – and coconut milk. What’s the difference between coconut water and coconut milk? It depends on the age of the coconut you’re using. Young coconuts contain the liquid known as coconut water. Mature coconuts contain coconut meat, which we then use to create coconut milk.

Coconut milk has so many uses and benefits. Today we’re going to focus on the benefits it has for your hair. Ready?

Nutrients Found In Coconut Milk

Vitamin C can sometimes be a subject we can be sick of hearing about. However, there’s good reason that people make a big deal about it. Your body is made up of many processes, and certain nutrients rely on other nutrients to do their job. Vitamin C boosts Collagen, a protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails,which makes it an absolute must for healthy hair. And yup, you guessed it, coconut milk is loaded with Vitamin C.

And what’s the other main vitamin people tend to go on about besides Vitamin C? That’s right: Vitamin E, which is also found in coconut milk. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which fights off free radicals and oxidative stress, which cause hair loss. It keeps the blood flowing to your scalp and strengthens the skin on your scalp. This way your hair has a strong, healthy base to grow from.

Iron is another biggie found in coconut milk: without enough iron, your body can’t create enough Hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen through your blood and helps with cell growth and repair. Since your hair is made up of cells, getting enough iron is vital for healthy, shiny tresses.

I could be here all day describing the many nutrients found in coconut milk – B Vitamins, selenium, calcium, and magnesium, among others – and how they can benefit your hair. But I don’t have all day to write this article, and you don’t have all day to read it. So, let’s move on to how you can actually use coconut milk to improve your hair, shall we?

As A Pre-Poo Treatment

Hair mask.

Pre-‘poo’s are all the rage now, and that’s because, while shampooing is great (and necessary for a lot of us), it can sometimes be rough, especially on already-fragile or damaged hair. Pre-pooing preps your hair for the shampoo process by softening it, adding moisture and helping to detangle your hair (I’m looking at you, curly-haired girls).

Mix together 4 tablespoons coconut milk with 2 teaspoons raw honey, Massage it through your hair from your roots ‘til your tips. You can also choose to add a few drops of your favorite oils, like almond, olive or rosemary essential oil. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave in the mixture for at least a half hour. For best results, do a pre-poo treatment once every week.

As Shampoo

If the ‘no-poo’ method hasn’t worked for you, but you haven’t given up on not subjecting your hair to the harsh chemicals found in commercial shampoos, it’s time to make your own DIY COCONUT MILK SHAMPOO (yes, it deserves CAPS).

Combine equal amounts coconut milk and liquid castile soap (about ¼ cup of each) with 20 drops of essential oil of your choice in a pump bottle. If you have dry hair, you may want to add in ½ a teaspoon of a hydrating oil like olive or almond oil. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients, and you’re good to go. This shampoo should stay good for around a month.

As A Conditioner

Woman showering.

And then there’s shampoo’s right-hand man, conditioner. And guess what? Coconut milk can shine here, too (pun not intended). Instead of just using plain conditioner, which may detangle your hair but might not be making it any healthier, add 2 tablespoons each of coconut milk and an oil of your choice to your regular conditioner, and massage it through your hair. Your hair will be softer, smoother, stronger and shinier.

As A Leave-In Conditioner

If you’re a curly-haired girl who struggles with frizz, then you’re probably no stranger to leave-in conditioners. You can use leave-ins in addition to or instead of your rinse-out conditioner. They add much-needed moisture to dried out hair. Add ¼ cup distilled water, one tablespoon coconut milk (you may need two if you’re using homemade milk), 1 tablespoon Vitamin E oil, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle. Spray it over damp hair whenever you need that extra boost, and enjoy smoother, better hydrated hair.

As A Hair Mask

If your hair needs that little bit of extra TLC, why not treat it to a homemade hair mask? Blend one ripe avocado, ½ cup coconut milk, and one tablespoon each of raw honey and olive oil in a blender. When smooth, apply the mask to your dry hair. Then cover with a shower cap to allow it to work its magic. Let it sit for around half an hour, then thoroughly rinse out your hair. This hair mask includes moisturizing and nourishing ingredients, so your hair will become softer and shinier in no time.

Conclusion

Move aside, coconut oil – it’s coconut milk’s turn in the sun. And it’s not just a great substitute for dairy milk, either. It’s just as magical in the shower as it is your kitchen. Do you have a jar of coconut milk handy? Why not try treating yourself to a luxurious shampoo treatment, or nourishing hair mask? Once you start and discover how smooth and shiny your hair can become, you’re never going to want to switch back to your regular shampoo or hair products again, ever. Consider yourself warned!