Why Coconut Oil Alone Isn't Enough to Protect Your Hair in the Ocean

If you’re an ocean lover like me, you’ve probably tried to put coconut oil in your hair before paddling out. I did this — coconut oil was easy, natural, and seemed like a smart way to protect my hair from saltwater. While coconut oil moisturizes, it doesn’t help seal the cuticle the way hair really needs before ocean exposure and when used alone can contribute to frizz.

Coconut Oil Helps — But It's Missing Key Protection

Coconut oil can sometimes trap too much water in the hair shaft, leading to a condition called hygral fatigue — where hair becomes waterlogged, weak, and more prone to frizz and breakage.

Other reasons why coconut oil alone is not helpful protection from saltwater:

Not water-resistant enough on its own
It absorbs into the hair rather than sitting on top. So while it strengthens from within, it doesn’t form a strong external seal to block water from soaking the hair shaft — especially in long surf or swim sessions.

Inconsistent results based on porosity On low-porosity hair, coconut oil can sit on top and block needed moisture, leading to dryness. On high-porosity hair, it might not provide enough sealing to prevent water from rushing in and out, which still leads to swelling/contraction and eventually hygral fatigue.

It doesn’t lock out water as well as waxes or butters
Coconut oil alone lacks the film-forming power of ingredients like beeswax, lecithin, or butters that coat the hair and act as a true barrier against water penetration.

In the ocean, your hair needs:

A physical barrier against salt crystals and UV rays

Protection from dehydration as seawater strips natural oils

Strengthening support to minimize breakage and frizz

Lightweight coverage that stays put without rinsing away easily

Coconut oil alone is heavy and once it's melted, it has almost no cling or resistance to water flow, unlike a thicker butter or mixed in a structured balm. So basically if it's warm enough to stick to your hair, it's warm enough to wash off.  Plus, it doesn’t offer any built-in UV protection, which leaves hair vulnerable to sun damage on top of salt damage.

What Your Hair Really Needs Before You Hit the Water

When I set out to create a better solution, I looked for ingredients that each brought something essential to the table — ingredients that not only hydrate, but defend, nourish, and stay put in ocean conditions.

Here’s what we use (and why):

Beeswax adds natural hold and structure to the balm, helping it stay in place even in warm temperatures. It forms a breathable barrier over the hair that helps lock in moisture, smooth the cuticle, and resist rinsing off easily in the water.

Mango Butter Rich in fatty acids, it creates a soft, protective coating without feeling heavy or greasy. It locks in moisture and helps defend against salt and sun exposure.

Kokum Butter Known for its firm texture, Kokum Butter provides structure to the formula so it doesn’t melt away easily. It forms a lightweight shield that keeps hair from drying out.

Jojoba Oil Structurally similar to your scalp’s natural oils, jojoba offers hydration without clogging and helps balance the scalp, reducing the risk of dryness and irritation after ocean exposure.

Coconut Oil (yes, still!) We include coconut oil, but it's blended with other ingredients so it provides strength without overwhelming the hair or rinsing off too easily — and it's balanced with ingredients that help seal and protect the hair cuticle.

Sunflower Lecithin This ingredient improves spreadability and helps the formula coat hair more evenly, giving a silky feel while reinforcing the hair barrier.

Red Raspberry Seed Oil Packed with antioxidants and offering natural UV protection, it helps defend against sun damage — something coconut oil simply can’t do on its own.

Vitamin E A powerhouse antioxidant that protects against environmental stressors and helps nourish hair after sun and salt exposure.

Essential Oils (Rosemary and Sweet Orange) Beyond smelling incredible, these oils support scalp health and offer a touch of natural antibacterial and soothing benefits.

Coconut oil is on the right track, but your hair needs a full spectrum of protection when you’re in the waves. It took me a while to get here but after going through significant hair loss and knowing that I won't stop surfing, I had to figure this one out. And as always, forever reef safe. xxoo