Coconut Oil: Food or Vitamin aisle..what's the difference?

[It~Can~Grow]

I recently, well last November, noticed that the jar of "organic" coconut oil I used to purchase in the vitamin section is now smaller (12 oz) and $2+ bucks higher.

Anyway, I was purchasing peanut oil and noticed there was a 32oz jar of "Pure" Lou Anas Coconut oil for $5+.

So ladies, tell me...what's the difference? I know the one in the vitamin aisle is 1) organic and 2) dietary and the one in the food aisle is not, buuuuut if they both list ingredient(s) as: "Coconut Oil" and nothing more...what's the difference?

Hey, I'm all about saving money where it makes sense.

Any thoughts?

 

[maxineshaw]

That LouAna coconut oil has been bleached/deodorized or something. It tastes different. It used to have a very distinct flavor (I only use it to cook with) that was good, but now I can't tell the difference from plain vegetable oil.


If you're talking about for hair, I would go with the one in the vitamin isle.

 

[SelahOco]

I think the food version is "refined" so all of your food doesn't smell like coconut. It doesn't have as many of the natural properties. I know someone who uses it though - because she like CO for shine. It works the same in terms of shine, apparently.

 

[It~Can~Grow]

That LouAna coconut oil has been bleached/deodorized or something. It tastes different. It used to have a very distinct flavor (I only use it to cook with) that was good, but now I can't tell the difference from plain vegetable oil.


If you're talking about for hair, I would go with the one in the vitamin isle.

Yes. So, basically I use Coconut oil to add to my DCs and to seal, so because it's bleached has it lost it's ability to penetrate the shaft?

 

[It~Can~Grow]

I think the food version is "refined" so all of your food doesn't smell like coconut. It doesn't have as many of the natural properties. I know someone who uses it though - because she like CO for shine. It works the same in terms of shine, apparently.

I'm concerned about whatever 'natural properties' it has that allows it to penetrate the shaft for moisture.

Not so concerned about shine as it's ability to go deep into the hair and impart moisture.

Hmm ...

 

[Urban]

I'd just stick with those that are either labelled 'unrefined' or 'extra virgin'... everything else has been tempered with.

 

[TrueToHair]

.........................

 

[It~Can~Grow]

So even though this says "pure" it wont have the same results just to seal my ends and add to conditioners "only?"

 

[testimony777]

Food grade coconut oil is fine as long as it is unrefined or virgin. I purchase my coconut oil from Whole Foods and I get it from the cooking isle. They sell a coconut oil made by NOW in the beauty section but it is refined (and much more expensive). Unlike the food grade oil, it does not smell or taste like coconut and it is pure white.

 

[TeeWhyAre]

get the food grade. same as the cocoa butter. I get my cocoa butter from the food aisle and avoid the cocoa butter in the beauty section. in the beauty section it is much more 'spensive and you don't get as much as the food grade and it is 100%.

My thought is the cosmetic section plays to peoples vanity and is of lesser quality than the pure stuff (food grade)

 

[It~Can~Grow]

Thanks T777,

I normally purchase the coconut oil from the vitamin aisle and was running low and noticed that my 16oz Spring Valley jar that was $8 is now 12oz and $10.

I noticed Lou Anas says is Pure and thought why not?

Again, I use CO like everyone else...tspn in my DCs and to seal my ends...but it defeats the purpose if the cooking version does not penetrate the hair shaft.

Thanks again

 

[sharifeh]

It doesn't matter what aisle it's in. it just matters if has these two characteristics:

1) unrefined
2) virgin (some say extra virgin but that doesn't really mean much unless it's olive oil)

Because whole foods has unrefined virgin in the food aisle....some stores only have it in the beauty aisle.
You should look for unrefined and virgin on the packaging; if it doesn't have it, it's probably not...?

 

[classychic1908]

I don't think buying unrefined matters that much for hair, personally. I use the Lou Ana brand in my dc's and have had no issues. I also have a high quality organic coconut oil that I prefer to use for food purposes. In most hair products that contain coconut oil they do not list it as organic unrefined, so I think it's plain old coconut oil.

 

[Lanea87]

As long as it says EV or Unrefined your good......
Leave the cooking oil to the food.

 

[Urban]

So even though this says "pure" it wont have the same results just to seal my ends and add to conditioners "only?"

'Pure' is an arbitrary term when it comes to the food and cosmetics industry. They use it willy nilly.

But to be honest, if you try whatever you have and it works for you, then stick to it. If it doesn't work, you shouldn't give up on cocnut oil until you try an 'unrefined'/ 'extra virgin' kind.

 

[Loves Harmony]

I use Lou Ana coconut and i have no problem with the item

 

[JJamiah]

Okay mine doesn't say Unrefined or refined it just says pure Coconut oil from the food section? (WHispers, What does that mean?)

 

[Americka]

I use Lou Ana coconut and i have no problem with the item

Same here! I use it on my hair and skin. It works well for me.

 

[It~Can~Grow]

Thank you ladies for ALL of your wonder advice.

 

[PinkyD]

I use the Spectrum organic refined coconut oil. I bought unrefined coconut oi from the indian store, but I HATED the smell. It might have been the brand. If you can find the unrefined on the cooking ailse that would be even better, llok at the organic ailse of the store or whole foods. The spectrum seems to be workign just fine