Evaluation of Hair Fiber and Sensory Properties following the Application of Conditioners containing Jojoba and Coconut Oils

Abstract

The use of natural ingredients, such as vegetable oils, in hair care products has gained significant attention due to their conditioning and protective properties. This study evaluates the impact of chemical treatments on hair fiber integrity and assesses the effectiveness of conditioners containing jojoba and coconut oils. The investigation employed advanced analytical techniques, including the Dia-stron^® MTT175, SAMBA^® Hair System, Attension^® tensiometer, and Olympus transmitted light microscopy. Sensory analysis was conducted using descriptive and discriminative ranking methods. Results indicated that bleaching followed by dyeing increased combing resistance and friction while reducing shine and hydrophobicity. Conditioners mitigated these effects, except for the jojoba oil formulation, which did not significantly reduce combing resistance. Shine remained unaffected by all conditioners, though formulations with vegetable oils enhanced the water contact angle of hair fibers, indicating improved hydrophobicity. Optical microscopy confirmed that conditioners smoothed the hair cuticles. Sensory evaluation revealed that participants preferred conditioners containing vegetable oils over the base formulation. These findings suggest that incorporating vegetable oils into hair conditioners can enhance hair fiber properties and consumer preference.

Keywords:
Coconut oil; Conditioner; Hair; Damage; Jojoba oil.