What's So Special About the New SheaMoisture 100% Coconut Oil?

SheaMoisture is a brand that many naturally curly women trust and depend on to expand their collections to cater to their every beauty need. This year SheaMoisture launched the Zanzibar Marine Complex for color-treated hair and protection. So, what is the recent addition to the SheaMoisture arsenal? Last month the brand introduced the SheaMoisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. It is no secret that coconut oil is a staple in most women’s hair regimen but the big questions is what makes the SheaMoisture coconut oil so special compared to the coconut oil available at your local grocery store?

Founder and CEO of SheaMoisture Richelieu Dennis says: “Coconut oil is so good for the hair and scalp, and is an ingredient we use in many of our SheaMoisture products to help nourish curls. Virgin coconut oil is special because it isn’t refined. This preserves all the natural goodness of this wonder oil, including a high content of vitamin E, fatty acids and minerals, which are typically lost in processing.”

The difference between virgin coconut oil and ordinary coconut oil is in the extraction process. Refined coconut oil is produced from dried coconuts whereas virgin coconut oil is extracted from the fresh meat of the coconut. Processes like quick drying allows the fresh coconut meat to be dried promptly and then mechanically pressed. High heat is also used with refined coconut oil to remove the distinct smell and flavor and sometimes sodium hydroxide is added to prolong shelf life. If you prefer the nutty flavor and smell than virgin, unrefined coconut oil is your best choice.

As the tagline “Head to Toe Hydration” states, the SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil is also great for the body and skin. Its emollient properties not only help to penetrate the hair, but it can also absorb quickly into the skin often helping to relieve an itchy scalp and aid with eczema and psoriasis.

Cocktail suggestion

Celebrity stylist and SheaMoisture Beauty Ambassador Diane C. Bailey adds, “Coconut oil is a curly girl elixir! I recommend this all-natural pre-shampoo treatment recipe, which helps to support healthy growth, intensely moisturize, soothe scalp irritation and leave hair shiny and silky.” Below is Bailey’s cocktail suggestion:

In a small bowl mix the following:

• 5-10 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 2-4 tablespoons of SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil (depending on length of hair”>
• 1 tablespoon of manuka honey

After mixing follow these directions for to pre-poo.

1. Massage into the scalp and work evenly through hair, from roots to ends.
2. Cover hair with a plastic cap and leave on for 30 min.
3. Shampoo thoroughly.

The Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil is can be found online at Harmon Face Values or at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Will you add this product to your list?

Editor’s note: This post is not sponsored.