Avocado oil and coconut oil are popular in the haircare and beauty industry. This is mainly due to their moisturizing and smoothing properties – but which is better for hair and why?
Both of these popular products strengthen the hair and give the hair a healthier look. However, they differ when it comes to their texture, as well as their compositions – more on this later.
Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between avocado oil and coconut oil, and ultimately our verdict on which product is better for hair.
Similarities and differences between avocado oil and coconut oil
Here are the main similarities and differences between avocado oil and coconut oil – I’ll go through these in some more detail later on.
| Similarities | Differences |
| Moisturizing benefits | Coconut oil is heavy while avocado oil is more lightweight |
| Good for scalp health | Avocado oil contains more antioxidants |
| Hair growth | Coconut oil has a sweet, nutty taste, while avocado oil has a more neutral aroma |
| Composed of vitamins and lipids | Avocado contains more healthy fats, while coconut oil contains higher levels of protein |
Similarities
There are many similarities between avocado oil and coconut oil. One of the main ways these products are similar is that they both offer moisturizing properties for the hair, as they are highly rich and nourishing. They contain a considerable amount of vitamins and lipids which are beneficial for repairing hair and providing a healthier appearance upon application.
Another similarity is that both avocado oil and coconut oil are beneficial for scalp health. If you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp, both of these products will help to soothe the scalp by increasing sebum production and ultimately moisture. (You might also consider a salt scrub for scalp health.)
For different reasons, both oils are also useful for hair growth. Coconut oil is made up of a considerable amount of fatty acids, which can help to nourish the hair and promote healthy growth. Avocado oil also promotes hair growth as it contains vitamin D, which is beneficial for hair growth and promoting hair follicle regeneration.
I’ve also carried out a comparison of olive oil with avocado oil and coconut oil if you’re interested in comparing these oils with olive oil too!
Differences
While avocado oil and coconut oil are similar in some ways, there are also many ways that they differ. They are quite different in texture, with coconut oil being much heavier and potentially greasy, while avocado oil is more lightweight.
Another difference is the composition of the two oils. Avocado oil contains a higher level of healthy fats such as monounsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids, as well as antioxidants, while coconut oil is mainly made up of saturated fats. This is why coconut oil is more likely to be greasy, while avocado oil is lighter on the hair.
These two oils also differ in scent, with avocado oil having a very subtle, neutral scent while coconut oil has a distinctive sweet, nutty aroma.
Best hair types for avocado oil and coconut oil
Avocado oil and coconut oil are beneficial for different types of hair – I’ve gone into some more depth on this below to help you better understand which type of oil would be best for you.
Avocado oil pros and cons
The great news about avocado oil is that it’s suitable for all hair types. Its lightweight consistency make it perfect for both dry and oily hair types, but it’s great for those with a sensitive scalp as it helps to stimulate blood flow and unclog hair follicles.
Avocado oil is beneficial for those of you with a mane of curly hair, as it contains Vitamin E which is useful in defining curls and adding shine to the hair. This also makes it great for straight hair, as it adds sheen and sleekness.
Coconut oil pros and cons
Coconut oil is best if you have fine to medium hair, as it will provide shine as well as a little extra volume.
However, while coconut oil can be beneficial for hair it’s not suitable for all hair types. This is because it contains low amounts of protein which can cause those with coarse or dry hair types to suffer from brittleness after using coconut oil. It is also fairly heavy in texture, which can weigh down hair if your hair is particularly fine.
Ultimately you should use it in moderation, and build up to an amount that works for your hair type instead of going straight in with large amounts. Take a look at this definitive guide to coconut oil for more top tips.
The verdict
While both avocado oil and coconut oil are popular products in the haircare industry, I have a firm favorite… Avocado oil!
There are a few reasons for this. It’s suitable for virtually all hair types, making it versatile and easy to use, plus its super light in texture making it hard to use too much of this great product. It also contains higher levels of healthy fats and antioxidants, plus it has a subtle scent which many people prefer in their hair care products.
Coconut oil is still a great product, but it’s not a patch on avocado oil in my opinion.
FAQ
Avocado does help hair in several ways. It helps to moisturize hair, as well as repairing and strengthening it. It’s also good for a sensitive scalp, helping to reduce itchiness and dandruff.
It’s thought that avocado oil is better for hair growth than coconut oil as it contains nourishing fatty acids that can penetrate the hair, helping to add moisture deep into the hair shaft. Coconut oil however cannot penetrate the hair, which makes it less successful in promoting hair growth.
You can mix avocado oil and coconut oil, however, you may find that this makes the resulting product very heavy and greasy. If you were to try this, I suggest using a little less coconut oil than avocado oil to avoid a heavy consistency.
If coconut oil or avocado oil is left on the hair for too long, you may be left with a greasy finish to your hair. I recommend leaving these types of oil on your hair for no longer than one hour – even using them as overnight hair masks can make your hair quite greasy, particularly coconut oil due to its heavier texture.
Here’s a DIY hair detox recipe you can try if your hair is feeling weighed down with products and oils.
Leave a Comment