Jojoba Oil vs Coconut Oil: Which Is Better for Hair and Skin?

Jojoba oil and coconut oil are two of the most popular natural oils used for hair and skin, but they are far from interchangeable.

 

One of the biggest differences is something you might not expect: jojoba oil isn't technically an oil at all. It is mostly made up of liquid wax esters, while coconut oil is a triglyceride rich in fatty acids, particularly lauric acid.

This difference in composition affects how they behave. Coconut oil has been shown to penetrate into the hair shaft and reduce protein loss, making it particularly interesting for pre-wash hair treatments. Jojoba is generally lighter and is widely used as an emollient in hair, scalp and skincare products.

So, when comparing jojoba oil vs coconut oil, there isn't one universal winner. The better choice depends on where you're using it, your hair or skin type and what you actually want the oil to do.

 

Jojoba Oil vs Coconut Oil: The Quick Answer

 

 

In simple terms: coconut oil has an advantage when you're looking for an oil that can penetrate the hair fibre, while jojoba is a versatile option when you want lighter conditioning for your hair, scalp or skin.

 

What Is the Difference Between Jojoba Oil and Coconut Oil?

 

Although they're both commonly described as natural oils, their chemical structures are quite different.

 

Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax

Jojoba comes from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant. Unlike most vegetable oils, its composition consists predominantly of wax esters, with smaller quantities of other compounds.

This unusual composition is one of the reasons jojoba is so widely used in cosmetics. It remains liquid at room temperature and has a lighter texture than many richer plant oils.

A scientific review of jojoba oil's chemistry and applications reports that waxes make up around 98% of jojoba oil, primarily in the form of wax esters.

 

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids

Coconut oil behaves very differently. It is made predominantly from triglycerides and has a high proportion of saturated fatty acids, including lauric acid.

That becomes particularly important when we're talking about hair.

Research comparing coconut oil with other oils found that its structure gives it an affinity for hair proteins and allows it to penetrate into the hair shaft. That's something we can't simply assume every plant oil does.

 

Jojoba Oil vs Coconut Oil for Hair

If you've arrived here because you're choosing an oil for your hair, this is where the distinction between jojoba and coconut becomes especially useful.

Both can condition your hair, but they don't necessarily condition it in the same way.

 

What does jojoba oil do for hair?

Jojoba oil can coat and condition the hair, helping it feel softer and smoother without necessarily giving you the same rich feeling you'd get from heavier oils.

This makes it particularly appealing if you're trying to introduce oils into your routine but don't want your hair to feel overloaded.

Jojoba is also used extensively in cosmetic formulations and scalp products. However, you'll sometimes see much bigger claims made online, including that jojoba oil can unclog follicles, regulate your scalp's oil production or directly stimulate hair growth.

We'd be cautious with those claims. There is interesting research surrounding jojoba, but that isn't the same as having strong evidence that putting jojoba oil on your scalp will make your hair grow faster.

If you want to explore this oil in more depth, we've put together a separate guide to the benefits of jojoba oil for hair.

 

What does coconut oil do for hair?

Coconut oil has one particularly interesting advantage: there is direct research showing that it can penetrate into the hair shaft.

One frequently cited study compared coconut oil, sunflower oil and mineral oil. Coconut oil was the only one of the three found to markedly reduce protein loss from both damaged and undamaged hair when it was used as a pre-wash and post-wash treatment.

The researchers linked this to coconut oil's lauric acid content, molecular structure and affinity for hair proteins. You can read the study on coconut oil and hair protein loss here.

Separate research has also demonstrated the penetration of coconut oil into human hair fibres.

This makes coconut oil an interesting option for a pre-wash treatment, particularly when your aim is to protect and condition the hair before shampooing.

 

Which is better for dry hair?

Both oils can have a place in a routine for dry hair, so the answer depends on what your hair needs.

Coconut oil may make more sense if you want a richer pre-wash treatment and are particularly interested in protecting the hair fibre.

Jojoba oil may appeal more if you're looking for something lighter that helps condition the hair without giving it as much weight.

It's also worth remembering that oil alone isn't always the solution to dryness. Shampooing habits, heat styling, chemical treatments, your environment and the products you use can all contribute. We've explored these in our guide to why hair can become so dry.

 

Which is better for fine or greasy hair?

If your hair becomes weighed down easily, the amount of oil you apply can matter just as much as the oil you choose.

Jojoba's lighter texture may make it easier to use sparingly on finer hair. Coconut oil is richer, so applying too much can leave fine hair feeling heavy or greasy.

That doesn't mean people with fine hair need to avoid coconut oil altogether. Using a small amount as a pre-wash treatment and shampooing it out afterwards is very different from applying a large amount as a leave-in oil.

If excess oil is already something you struggle with, take a look at our guide to why hair gets greasy so quickly.

 

What about low and high porosity hair?

Your hair's porosity describes how readily it takes in and loses water, and it can affect how products feel on your hair.

However, you don't need to follow a rigid rule that says one oil is exclusively for low porosity hair and another is exclusively for high porosity hair.

How much you apply, whether you're using it before or after washing, the rest of your routine and the characteristics of your individual hair all matter.

If you're not sure where your own hair sits, our guide to low porosity vs high porosity hair explains the difference.

 

Jojoba Oil vs Coconut Oil for the Scalp

Your scalp and the lengths of your hair aren't the same thing, so it's useful to think about them separately.

Jojoba is often a practical scalp oil because it is relatively lightweight. Its wax esters also make it quite different from many conventional plant oils.

A review published in the dermatological literature discusses jojoba's use in cosmetic preparations, including moisturisers, as well as its potential anti-inflammatory properties. You can see the review of jojoba in dermatology here.

Coconut oil can also be used on the scalp, particularly as part of a pre-wash routine, but its richer texture means some people may prefer to keep most of it through the lengths of their hair rather than applying a large amount directly to the roots.

Whichever oil you use, scalp oiling isn't a substitute for actually keeping the scalp clean. Oil, sweat, dead skin and styling products can all accumulate over time. Our guide to cleaning your scalp naturally covers this in more detail.

If you're new to applying oils before washing, you might also want to start with our complete guide to hair oiling.

 

Jojoba Oil vs Coconut Oil for Skin

The same structural differences that make these oils behave differently on hair also matter when they're used on skin.

Both are used in skincare, but texture, application and your individual skin can determine which you prefer.

 

Jojoba oil for skin

Jojoba is widely used in moisturisers and other topical cosmetics as an emollient. Its light, spreadable texture makes it particularly useful in facial products where a very rich oil may not be desirable.

Scientific reviews have also investigated jojoba in relation to skin barrier function, inflammation and other dermatological applications.

That shouldn't be translated into the idea that jojoba is a treatment for every skin concern, but it does explain why it has become such a popular cosmetic ingredient.

 

Coconut oil for skin

Coconut oil has a richer and more occlusive feel, helping to form a layer over the surface of the skin that can reduce water loss.

That can make it appealing on areas of the body that feel particularly dry, especially if you enjoy heavier oils and balms.

A review of the topical use of plant oils discusses both coconut and jojoba oil in relation to skin barrier function, alongside a number of other cosmetic oils.

 

Is jojoba oil better than coconut oil for your face?

For facial use, jojoba will often be the more practical starting point if you prefer something light and easy to spread.

Coconut oil is considerably richer and may simply feel too heavy for some people's faces, particularly if they already use a moisturiser underneath.

However, skincare isn't universal. An ingredient that feels great on one person's skin can feel uncomfortable on somebody else's, so it is more useful to pay attention to how your own skin responds than to rely on simplistic online ratings.

If facial oils are new to you, read our guide to what face oil does for your skin. You can also compare face oil vs cream or learn whether to apply oil or moisturiser first.

 

Can You Mix Jojoba Oil and Coconut Oil?

Yes. There's no reason jojoba oil and coconut oil have to be treated as rivals.

For hair, you can combine them as part of a pre-wash treatment if you enjoy the characteristics of both. Coconut gives you the richer treatment while jojoba can alter the feel and spreadability of the blend.

The important part is not assuming that adding more oil automatically means better results.

Start with a small amount, concentrate it where your hair needs it and wash thoroughly afterwards. This is particularly important if your hair is fine or your scalp is prone to becoming greasy.

There's also no requirement to mix them. You might prefer coconut oil occasionally before washing and jojoba in smaller quantities when you want something lighter.

 

Jojoba Oil or Coconut Oil: Which Should You Choose?

If you're still deciding, think about the result you're looking for rather than trying to crown one oil the winner.

Jojoba oil may suit you better if you want:

• A lighter-feeling oil.
• Lightweight conditioning for your hair or scalp.
• An oil that can also fit easily into a facial skincare routine.
• Something you can apply sparingly without the richness of coconut oil.

Coconut oil may suit you better if you want:

• A richer pre-wash hair treatment.
• An oil with evidence showing penetration into the hair fibre.
• To help reduce protein loss from hair.
• A heavier oil for particularly dry areas of body skin.

And, of course, you don't actually have to choose one forever. Your hair and skin can have different needs, and those needs can change with the season, your routine and how you're using the product.

 

What About Other Oils for Hair?

One of the reasons we don't think there is a single "best oil for hair" is that plant oils have different compositions and characteristics.

For example, you might also come across argan oil, avocado oil or black seed oil when building an oiling routine.

We've also compared argan oil vs jojoba oil and castor oil vs jojoba oil if you're deciding between different options.

This is also why blended hair oils can be useful: rather than expecting one ingredient to provide everything, different oils can be combined to create the overall texture and conditioning profile you're looking for.

 

Our Approach to Hair Oiling at Flux Natural

At Flux Natural, we take that blended approach with our Pre-Wash Hair Oil.

Rather than building the formula around a single hero ingredient, it combines plant oils including pumpkin seed, avocado, argan, castor, black cumin seed, rice bran and wheatgerm oils, alongside vitamin E.

It's designed to be applied before washing, giving the oils time on the hair before they're shampooed out rather than leaving you with a heavy coating throughout the day.

You can explore our Rosemary & Peppermint Pre-Wash Hair Oil or shop all of our pre-wash hair oils.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is jojoba oil better than coconut oil for hair?

Not necessarily. Coconut oil has particularly good evidence for penetrating the hair shaft and reducing protein loss, making it a strong option for pre-wash treatments. Jojoba is lighter and can be useful when you want to condition the hair or scalp without using such a rich oil. The better choice depends on your hair and how you intend to use it.

Can I use jojoba oil and coconut oil together?

Yes. Jojoba and coconut oil can be blended and used as a pre-wash hair treatment. You don't need a large amount, and people with fine or easily weighed-down hair may want to begin with a particularly small quantity.

Is jojoba or coconut oil better for dry hair?

Coconut oil can be particularly useful as a richer pre-wash treatment because it can penetrate the hair fibre and has been shown to reduce protein loss. Jojoba can be a good alternative when you want lightweight softness and conditioning. Some people may find a combination of oils works best.

Is jojoba oil better than coconut oil for your face?

Jojoba's lighter texture often makes it a more practical facial oil, particularly if you don't enjoy heavy products. Coconut oil is considerably richer and may be better suited to dry areas of the body for some people. Individual skin responses vary, so introduce any new facial product gradually.

Does coconut oil penetrate hair better than jojoba oil?

There is direct scientific evidence demonstrating that coconut oil can penetrate human hair fibres. Its lauric-acid-rich structure also gives it an affinity for hair proteins. We don't have equivalent evidence showing that jojoba behaves in exactly the same way inside the hair shaft, so the two shouldn't be treated as interchangeable.

Can you leave jojoba oil in your hair overnight?

You can leave a small amount of jojoba oil on the hair for an extended period if your hair and scalp tolerate it, but leaving an oil on overnight isn't automatically more beneficial than using it for a shorter pre-wash treatment. Start conservatively and pay attention to how easily your hair washes clean afterwards.

 

The Bottom Line

The biggest difference between jojoba oil and coconut oil isn't that one is "good" and the other is "bad". It's that they're fundamentally different substances.

Jojoba is predominantly a liquid wax and works well when you want lightweight conditioning across hair, scalp and skin. Coconut oil is a triglyceride rich in lauric acid, with particularly interesting evidence showing that it can enter the hair shaft and reduce protein loss.

For a deep pre-wash hair treatment, coconut oil has a compelling case. For lighter hair, scalp or facial use, jojoba may be easier to work into your routine.

Ultimately, the best choice comes down to what you're using the oil for, how much you apply and, most importantly, how your own hair or skin responds.