Dive into the tropics with me! Coconut water is all the rage right now as a natural hair tonic, helping soothe the scalp and moisturize dry ends better than anything.

Rubbing coconut water throughout my hair strands.

Coconut is getting enormous press right now for its fantastic uses as a natural haircare product.

But therein lies the question. Do you opt for coconut oil or coconut water? Both have hydrating properties which work wonders on tired locks.

The answer is: What type of hair do you currently have?

If you’re in the dry or split-ends realm, you’d perhaps like to try coconut oil. Use it as a hair mask once or twice a week. It’s fantastic on baby heads, too, to help with cradle cap.

Yet, if you’re after a lighter, more regular coconut treatment, why not give coconut water a go?

I’ll explain everything I know about coconut water in this post, from sourcing the best coconut water to applying it in different ways and storing it so it lasts as long as possible.

Holding out my clean hair to apply coconut water to hydrate it.

Table of Contents

How to use coconut water for hair

Is it just me who thinks of Moana when it comes to coconuts? (Please say it’s not.) Just look at the condition of her hair in that cartoon! Granted, I know it’s a cartoon, but still…

…this is what I hope you experience when you use coconut water on your hair.

Note: I’m sharing two ways here to use coconut water on your hair. One is a rinse after shampooing, and the other is a leave-in hair spray. I’d suggest trying both methods on different occasions to see which suits your hair type best.

To use coconut water as a hair rinse, you need:

Ingredients:

Coconut water (one bottle should be enough)

How to use:

Shampoo your hair and rinse thoroughly.
Towel dry your hair well.
Apply a generous dose of coconut water to the ends of your hair and then work it up to the roots, massaging as you go. Get some on your scalp, too.
Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly before drying and styling your hair as you wish.

To use coconut water as a leave-in conditioner:

Follow steps 1-2 of the above method.
Mix 1 cup of water with ¼ cup of coconut water in a spray bottle. Screw the lid on tight.
Shake well to mix.
Apply to towel dry hair, comb through, and then dry and style your hair as usual.

Spraying coconut water for the hair into my clean strands before conditioning.

Coconut water hair benefits

I know that using coconut water on your hair might not be a part of your current routine.

I mean, come on, it’s not every day you get to apply this gorgeously tropical stuff to your hair, right? But you’d be wise to consider doing so because coconut water has tremendous benefits for the hair – and body, too!

Benefits include:

Hydration: Coconut water is packed full of potassium, which is amazing for hair strength and vitality, as well as hydrating properties that are readily absorbed by thirsty hair ends. Coconut water is a great hair conditioner alternative (in my opinion) for moisturizing the hair.
Reduced hair loss: Finding clumps of hair in your brush? Thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut water is incredibly soothing, which helps prevent damage to hair follicles at the root.
No more dandruff: Coconut water is a wonderful scalp moisturizer, making it equally excellent for removing the white stuff and cleansing the scalp of bacteria build-up, reducing the likelihood of dandruff forming.
Stronger hair: Coconut water contains many vitamins, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium, all of which help hair grow stronger and thicker overall from the root.
Less breakage: The proteins in coconut water enhance hair elasticity, meaning it won’t break as easily during brushing or styling.
Shine and gloss: Healthy, moisturized hair brings out that glossy look! Thanks to the coconuts…

Working the coconut water into the hair.

Picking the right coconut water

It’s always best to use high-quality, organic coconut water with no toxins, preservatives, or fragrances added, as this means you’ll get maximum hydration benefits.

Look out for ‘cold pressed’ coconut water if you can, as these tend to retain the vitamins and proteins better than heavily processed versions.

Here are some of the coconut waters that I recommend using.

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Why coconut water works

Coconuts take me to a paradise island in my mind, where the glorious, lush greenery and warm weather match the radiant fitness of the inhabitants living there.

And it’s almost the same with the actual science behind coconut water and why it works so well on the hair.

If you think about where and how coconuts grow, they get a lot of natural sunlight, warmth, and goodness from mother nature, making them rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats.

And it’s those incredible properties that help improve the condition and strength of your hair while adding glorious moisture and nourishment in just one application.

Using my hands to work the coconut water into the strands.

Are there any side effects

The only things to be aware of when using coconut water on your hair are possible allergic reactions – if you’re allergic to coconut, avoid using it to be ultra-safe.

The other thing is that residue may build up in your hair if you use coconut water too often.

If you’re finding residue in your hair, with hair feeling greasy and weighed down, consider using the coconut water rinse instead of the leave-in conditioner option, and remember to rinse thoroughly after every use.

Other uses for coconut water

Here are some ideas for you!

A refreshing drink. It’s great after a gym session to replace lost electrolytes!
In cooking. It adds a delicious coconut taste to soups and stews.
A facial toner. Dab some coconut water on your face after cleansing using a cotton pad.
A mouthwash. Many people swear by coconut water to keep their mouths fresh and clean after brushing.
For your plants. House plants adore coconut water as a natural fertilizer!
In smoothies. It’s hard to beat as the liquid base in a smoothie. Beach anyone?

How to store coconut water

Keep it in your fridge with the lid on tight. Be sure to check the best-before date so it doesn’t spoil, too. It should last a week or so, but you’ll probably use it up by then, anyhow!

Spraying coconut water into the hair for hydration.

Summary

I’m sure you can see the benefits coconut water has for your hair and that it’s just such an easy thing to use.

I mean, it’s all about unscrewing the bottle lid and applying it straight to your hair. That’s it!

If you do try coconut water on your hair and love it, consider leaving a 5-star review below!

You might also like to try these natural hair rinses for some extra variety in your DIY haircare routine:

Coconut Water For Hair

Laura Ascher

Transform your hair with nature's elixir! Discover the magic of coconut water for hair—nourishment, hydration, and radiance in every drop.

4.84 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Project Type Hair Care

Prep Time 2

Active Time 20

Total Time 22

Yield 10 ounces

Equipment

▢
A towel
▢
A spray bottle (if you’re making the leave in conditioner)

Ingredients

▢ Coconut water

Instructions

Shampoo your hair and rinse thoroughly as usual.
Towel dry your hair well.
Apply a generous dose of coconut water to the ends of your hair and then work it up to the roots, massaging as you go so you get some on your scalp, too.
Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry/style your hair as you wish.
To make a leave-in conditioner: Follow steps 1-2, and then mix 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of coconut water. Pour into a spray bottle, mix well, then spritz onto towel-dried hair. Style as normal.

Notes

Use high-quality, organic coconut water with no toxins, preservatives, or fragrances added.