You can easily remove coconut oil from your hair in a variety of ways, from basic or dry shampoos to baking soda, eggs, aloe vera, lemon juice or baby powder. These are all simple remedies that have been anecdotally proven to prevent your hair from looking and feeling oily after applying a healthy dose of coconut oil.
Coconut Oil for the Hair
As per the USDA, coconut oil is rich in nutrients that improve hair health. Using coconut oil to improve the health of the hair is a popular and effective method, given that it can strengthen your hair, prevent hair loss, moisturize the scalp, eliminate dandruff, improve the appearance and luster of your locks, protect against lice, and is a deep conditioner. You can find coconut oil in many different hair products on the market, and it is a popular at-home method for those with split ends, unexplained hair loss, constantly knotty hair and irritation of the scalp. [1] [2]
This is why the question of removing coconut oil from the hair is such an important one. As a rather viscous oil, it can be difficult to remove from the hair with warm water alone. However, it seems counterintuitive to use a harsh or abrasive product to remove the oil from your hair, since the use of such products is why you turned to coconut oil in the first place!
Most at-home remedies and recipes are quite specific as to how much of the oil to use as a shampoo, hair mask, conditioner, moisturizer or hair tonic, but its “sticking” power in the hair will also be different with every person. You want to be sure you use enough so that it delivers its nutrients and serves its purpose, but you don’t want to overdo it, or else your hair will look oily and unwashed. Finding the right balance is key, but if you don’t manage it, there are a number of ways to simply and naturally remove the excess oil. [3]
Hi! I am a lemon. I add tanginess to your salads and cocktails. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
How to Remove Coconut Oil From Hair?
Some of the best ways to remove coconut oil from your hair include lemon juice, baking soda, aloe vera, eggs, baby powder, cornstarch, dry shampoo, black tea, and vinegar. It is important to note than some coconut oil treatments for the hair require the oil to stay in for a few hours – or even overnight – so if your hair looks oily mid-treatment, that might be completely normal. Don’t use any of these oil removal remedies until you’re sure that the initial purpose of the coconut oil is served!
Below are a number of simply recipes if you’re struggling to remove the excess oil from your hair after a healthy treatment.
Dry Shampoo
While many people use dry shampoo as a quick replacement for a shower or a wet shampoo, it is also an excellent tool for soaking up excess coconut oil in the hair. Use about a tablespoon of dry shampoo and sprinkle it near the crown of your head, close to the roots. Then, with a comb, simply pull through your hair slowly, bringing some of the dry shampoo with on every pass. The majority of coconut oil will likely be near the roots, with less near the ends of your hair. Continue combing through with the dry shampoo until you have achieved the hair shine you were looking for! [4]
Baking Soda
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste and then apply it to your entire scalp, or the areas that are particularly oily. The baking soda will react with the oil and bond with it, but won’t stick as firmly to your hair. Once the excessively oily areas are covered, simply rinse out the baking soda mixed with warm water. It will easily wash out of the hair and will bring the excess coconut oil with it. [5]
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is high in citric acid, which can quickly cut through the oily mixture on your hair and make it far easier to remove. Freshly squeeze two lemons into a small bowl and mix it with 2 cups of water. You can also add a few tablespoons of honey to make this even more effective. Apply this mixture to the hair, as well as the scalp, and then rinse it out a few minutes later with warm water. This will not only eliminate the excess coconut oil but also give you another dose of antibacterial and antiseptic power to keep your hair healthy and looking fresh. [6]
Aloe Vera
This versatile remedy is well known for reducing the oil in your hair – even beneficial oil from coconuts – making it an ideal home remedy. Add a single teaspoon of aloe vera gel to a mild shampoo and apply it to the scalp, running it through the rest of your hair like a normal lather. Leave it on your hair for 10-15 minutes. When you rinse off this shampoo mixture, the excess coconut oil will come with it. [7]
Black Tea
Aside from being a healthy beverage internally, black tea also has astringent properties when applied topically, which can prevent oil from building up on the scalp and hair. Steep a handful of black tea leaves, as though you were brewing tea, and then allow the mixture to cool for 5-10 minutes. Rub this black tea on the hair thoroughly, allow it to soak in and cut through the oils for another 5-10 minutes. Then, simply rinse your hair with warm water.
Egg Wash
Eggs are not only known to eliminate oil and grease from the hair, but they are also rich in proteins, which can further prevent protein loss on the strands of your hair, boosting whatever treatment you were previously using the coconut oil for. Beat 2-3 eggs and then add 4 cups of water to the mixture. Rub this egg wash all over your hair and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. When you wash it off with lukewarm water, the coconut oil will be gone, [8]
