Question about Coconut Oil

[kreeme]

I bought some the other day and it looks like Crisco in a jar. Is this the right stuff? and how do I use it? Anybody got any recipes or ideas on what I can do with it? I bought that and some Coconut milk...I'm clueless, but I'm anxious to try them out this weekend for some type of deep conditioner.

 

[An_Original_Copy]

yeah that's right. Coconut oil solidifies at room temperature which is why it's a solid, but once you heat it up a little, i'll melt. not too much heat though. if you were to take some and let it sit in your hand it'd melt from just body temp. alone!

 

[MiWay]

It melts on contact, so I just apply it to my hair like any other oil.

I'm dabbling with the idea of cooking with it too, but I'm still not sure about that.

 

[kreeme]

But it seems hard as heck! I opened the jar expecting it to be like a cream or something and to be honest with you, I just knew it was going to smell all fruity. I was not pleased with the smell at all.

 

[kitten73]

I bought a jar a few weeks ago with the intentions of using it to grease my daughters scalp like a grease. I figured it would be lighter and more beneficial then the majority of the scalp conditioners on the market that contain mineral oil and petroleum. Well, I wasn't to happy, I rubbed it in my hands and applied it to her scalp but it didn't do much for her hair to me. I did this for 2 weeks. It is cold her in NY and maybe I am crazy but when she would get in from school, she would have litte hard specs in her hair. I can't imagine it solidified itself in the cold but it was the strangest thing. I gave up on it. I said I may melt a little at a time and use it to press her hair, someone on the board said it is great for that. I didn't like the smell either.

 

[mermaid]

??The smell?? It smells exactly like coconut- it doesn't have any other fragrance, because it's pure.

 

[kitten73]

No it doesn't, I guess I am use to the "artifical" coconut smell but it doesn't smell like coconut I am use to. It reminded me of a flat oil, kind of like Crisco. Of course Palmers and Kuza and all those hair greases that have coconut in them have fragrance added but they have a strong coco smell, I am sorry but the pure one in the jar doesn't smell like that but that is my opinion!

 

[kreeme]

??The smell?? It smells exactly like coconut- it doesn't have any other fragrance, because it's pure.

Mine has no smell at all. I got it out of the organic section of Kroger. It just said "pure coconut oil" and it looked like Crisco...that's why I thought I picked up the wrong thing. I'm going to melt it and see how it does, but there was no fruity smell to mine at all.

 

[lmjenk67]

Thanks to Enchantmt, I bought my coconut oil from www.coconutoil-online.com (coconut oil supreme). It smells and taste wonderful. It comes in a bottle as a solid but I put the bottle in a cup of warm water for about 3-5 minutes until it melts. I put 3 tbsp in my morning protein shake and I use it occasionally on my ends after I cw.

 

[kitten73]

I guess you and I got the same thing. Mine was in a little jar and said %100 Pure Coconut oil, it looked like wax or like you said Crisco and it smelled nothing like coconut to me. My daughter even said it smells like nothing. I got mine from the BSS store and it wasn't cheap either. Next time I guess I will go to a health food store.

 

[SparklingFlame]

I got mine at WAlmart in the cooking oil section and its solid but like others said, it turns to liquid in your hand. I put mine in applicator bottles and it usually doesn't harden all the way. I can still quirt some into my palms. It has no smell whatsoever and it works wonders on my hair. Its really cheap to boot, like $2.50 for a quart jar.

 

[dlewis]

My uncle had soem coconut oil that was solid and in a large jar, and the jar read for cooking, skin and hair.

The kind I use is clear liquid and in a 4 oz. jar.

 

[MsCounsel]

I guess you and I got the same thing. Mine was in a little jar and said %100 Pure Coconut oil, it looked like wax or like you said Crisco and it smelled nothing like coconut to me. My daughter even said it smells like nothing. I got mine from the BSS store and it wasn't cheap either. Next time I guess I will go to a health food store.

It should have a slight scent of coconut oil. It is very hard but if you rub it between you hands and then apply, you should have great results. I've been using it for a week and as long as it works, I will not need another moisturizer, shine enhancer or oil. It's awesome.

The Vitamin Shoppe also sells it or you can purchase it in an Indian store. Look for Virgin/Organic Coconut Oil.

Good luck.

 

[Queenie]

The melting point is around 78 degrees. That's why it hardened in the little girl's hair. You really don't need that much. A little goes a looooong way and it will be absorbed by her hair. Just use a little.

 

[Country gal]

I like to use castor oil in an applicator bottle. Can I use it to oil my scalp. Would I have to warm the oil than put it in the applicator bottle and would it stay liquid enough for me to oil my scalp.

 

[Arcadian]

The coconut oil I have is from whole foods (a.k.a. whole paycheck )

Natures Way EFA Gold Coconut Oil. It says pure extra virgin on it. It was in no way cheap even at 50% off.

I bought it to cook with it, but did scoop out a little to try on my hair (didn't like it though), I still use it for cooking, and protien drinks...I made a pina colada smoothie with it this afternoon I've used it after my shower too, again, its ok but I have oils I like better for that purpose.

This one smells like coconut. Not artificial or really strong or anything, but if you were to get coconut flakes from the store, thats what it would smell like.

In most foods I can't taste it, except in protien shakes and omlets.

-A

 

[SilkyandSmooth]

I also get my Coconut Oil from Whole Foods. I can't remember the brand right now but it smells like real coconut.

 

[carameldiva]

i melt mine and mix it with pomace b olive oil. I use it on my scalp and ends. I got mine at www.thechemistrystore.com . It is the 76 degree fractionated coconut oil. I only oil at nite and do co-washes in the a.m.

 

[carameldiva]

I like to use castor oil in an applicator bottle. Can I use it to oil my scalp. Would I have to warm the oil than put it in the applicator bottle and would it stay liquid enough for me to oil my scalp.

Yes it would.

 

[kreeme]

Okay, but what about the coconut MILK? My girlfriend sent me a llittle concoction recipe with some honey and jojoba oil. Any other suggestions? I might just try this out tonight when I get home depending on how tired I am.

 

[mermaid]

Mine has no smell at all. I got it out of the organic section of Kroger. It just said "pure coconut oil" and it looked like Crisco...that's why I thought I picked up the wrong thing. I'm going to melt it and see how it does, but there was no fruity smell to mine at all.

That's weird. Is it pure, unrefined? There should be some kinda coconut smell, like you think someone has a Pina Colada around you but you can't quite pinpoint it, it's that faint but recognizable.
And yeah, it looks kinda like Crisco, solid and white but not as smooth a texture. As soon as I get it in my hand, it dissolves to liquid.

 

[Enchantmt]

That's weird. Is it pure, unrefined? There should be some kinda coconut smell, like you think someone has a Pina Colada around you but you can't quite pinpoint it, it's that faint but recognizable.
And yeah, it looks kinda like Crisco, solid and white but not as smooth a texture. As soon as I get it in my hand, it dissolves to liquid.

If it doesnt have a fragrance or taste its been refined.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

Ooooh, so that me I have the bootleg one, mine don't smell like nothing. It works great though, but I would love to have that coconut smell. I have the Clover Brand it says 100% Natural, they should have at least listed whether it was refined or unrefined, , thanks for the info, I guess I'll give this away and go get the unrefined one.

If it doesnt have a fragrance or taste its been refined.

 

[Enchantmt]

Ooooh, so that me I have the bootleg one, mine don't smell like nothing. It works great though, but I would love to have that coconut smell. I have the Clover Brand it says 100% Natural, they should have at least listed whether it was refined or unrefined, , thanks for the info, I guess I'll give this away and go get the unrefined one.

I use unrefined for health reasons, taking by the table spoon and in my tea, on toast etc. The refined I use to fry stuff in that the coconut flavor wont mix well with. Using it on your skin or hair it really doesnt matter which one, but I prefer the unrefined. As far as refined goes tho, you want something that was refined w/o chemicals. Wilderness family naturals is said to have a good refined one, its processed w/o chemicals http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/expeller-pressed-coconut-oil.htm
but their shipping and handling is sort of high. I havent tried their other oils as I use the coconut oil supreme. http://www.coconutoil-online.com/PRODUCTS.html
I might order a sample from them just to compare tho.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

Sometimes I take one avacodo and 1cup of coconut milk blend it in a blender and use it as a DC under the dryer for 15 min. very very moisturizing and the shine is excellent also. If there is some left I just refrigerat it until next wash day and warm it a little before using. HTH's

Okay, but what about the coconut MILK? My girlfriend sent me a llittle concoction recipe with some honey and jojoba oil. Any other suggestions? I might just try this out tonight when I get home depending on how tired I am.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

Thanks, I think I'm going to go to the Indian Grocery tomorrow, God willing, and get the Parachute brand coconut oil, I've heard good things about this one but didn't see until after I bought the one I have, I just didn't know I had refined, I thought I had unrefined. Maybe I'll cook w/this one and see how that goes I've heard about the benefits of cooking in it, now I need some recipes, lol.

I use unrefined for health reasons, taking by the table spoon and in my tea, on toast etc. The refined I use to fry stuff in that the coconut flavor wont mix well with. Using it on your skin or hair it really doesnt matter which one, but I prefer the unrefined. As far as refined goes tho, you want something that was refined w/o chemicals. Wilderness family naturals is said to have a good refined one, its processed w/o chemicals http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/expeller-pressed-coconut-oil.htm
but their shipping and handling is sort of high. I havent tried their other oils as I use the coconut oil supreme. http://www.coconutoil-online.com/PRODUCTS.html
I might order a sample from them just to compare tho.

 

[BerrySweet]

Okay, but what about the coconut MILK? My girlfriend sent me a llittle concoction recipe with some honey and jojoba oil. Any other suggestions? I might just try this out tonight when I get home depending on how tired I am.

I use coconut milk/honey/evoo and a thick conditioner as a pre poo. It's great. Check out the "natural hair straightner" thread. It has more info about coconut milk.

 

[cocoberry10]

I bought some the other day and it looks like Crisco in a jar. Is this the right stuff? and how do I use it? Anybody got any recipes or ideas on what I can do with it? I bought that and some Coconut milk...I'm clueless, but I'm anxious to try them out this weekend for some type of deep conditioner.

Kreeme:

I use my coconut oil in my creme moisturizer. I melt a little and mix it in, and it works wonders. I also use it (a little) when I flat iron. Last, I mix it with glycerin and water (again, not too much, it's runny) when I want to wear my hair curly. Glycerin creates perfect curls for my hair, the water keeps it moist, and the oil keeps it moisturized/shiny (I put it in an empty S-Curl bottle). You can also mix essential oils to add a nice scent!

Cocoberry

 

[Enchantmt]

I know a lot of ladies like the parachute brand but that was the first coconut oil I ever bought and it scared me. I even made a thread about it because I thought it would smell different and it had a sort of roasted/burnt smell to it. I ended up throwing it out after someone recommended the Virgin Oil de Coco-Crème from natureswildchild.com. Wonderful stuff. I don't know if its food grade or not but it smells great and is wonderful on your skin and hair. I never thought to use it to cook in, as I didnt know the benefits of coconut oil at the time.

 

[kitten73]

I guess I got dupped then. I checked the jar before left for work this morning and it says %100 Refined Coconut Oil. I practically put my nose in the jar and sniffed as hard as I could and nothing, had Deja do it too and she said "are we using the invisible smell grease again?" I laughed and tooks some and rubbed it in my hands and smeared it on her face. She shined a little but not too much. She said she liked that it didn't make her face smelly. We normally use Palmers coco butter on her face. I think I will use it on her skin for a while since I have it.