Castor Oil for Hair: Benefits, Hair Growth, How to Use

Table Of Content

• Is castor oil good for afro hair types?
• What’s the best way to use castor oil for hair and can it be applied daily?
• How do you apply castor oil to hair?
• What hair types can use castor oil?
• The 10 Best Body Lotions for Mature Skin That Hydrate, Firm and Smooth Skin Fast
• Leave a Reply Cancel reply
• We Asked Stylists If You Should Really Use Castor Oil for Hair Growth

Castor oil may be a good moisturizer for the skin, including the face, though no research suggests it can help reduce symptoms of any skin conditions like acne. However, always test a small skin area first to make sure you’re not allergic, and always dilute it in a carrier oil like olive oil. Castor oil's high content of fatty acids also effectively lightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation. These fatty acids help to inhibit excess melanin production, the pigment responsible for dark spots and uneven skin tone. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties make it a natural remedy for arthritis, rheumatism, and other inflammatory conditions.

Is castor oil good for afro hair types?

But while some studies have shown it might help, others have not found it to be effective. If you’re pregnant, don't try castor oil without talking to your doctor. The only FDA-approved health use for castor oil is as a natural laxative to relieve temporary constipation. Therefore, it is important to perform a patch test before applying it to your scalp. “Apply a small amount behind the ear or the inner upper arm for a week,” says Dr. Hill. Ongoing use is required to maintain the benefits of castor oil, Gaunitz adds.

What’s the best way to use castor oil for hair and can it be applied daily?

“This oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help prevent dandruff (which is so helpful in colder months) and scalp infections." If you're interested in growing longer, stronger hair, chances are you've come across castor oil in your search. The ingredient dates back to Ancient Egypt, and is still prized for its beauty benefits. Castor oil’s claim to fame may be anecdotal evidence of hair growth, but there are plenty of other reasons to add this oil to your hair care routine. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than five years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from hair-growth devices to hair botox.

How do you apply castor oil to hair?

The research says no — but it may be helpful when used with other strategies to stimulate hair growth, like your diet and lifestyle. It should not be used to treat any medical condition unless advised by a physician, and misusing it can be dangerous. Consult a healthcare professional before using it for any health condition or symptom. Castor oil can help promote wound healing by creating a moist environment and preventing drying out.

Types of castor oil

Though many people use castor oil as a treatment for dry or thinning hair, there’s no evidence that castor oil is effective for improving hair health or stimulating hair growth when used on its own. If you’re looking to add pure castor oil to your hair care routine, Dr. Green suggests using it as a pre-shampoo treatment. But because castor oil is so thick, Dr. Green suggests diluting the castor oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil. You can also swap your regular shampoo for a clarifying formula, to ensure you thoroughly wash the castor oil from your scalp and strands. Despite it not being a reliable hair growth treatment, castor oil can be a worthwhile ingredient for scalp and hair health. With all of its proven benefits, “castor oil may promote a healthy environment for hair regrowth,” Dr. Garshick adds.

What hair types can use castor oil?

That’s why we asked a range of hair experts—ranging from dermatologists, hairstylists, and trichologists—to take a deep dive into the pros (and any cons, of course) of castor oil for hair. Read on to find out more about castor oil, how it can benefit both hair and scalp, the absolute best application methods, products to try, DIY treatments, and more. Some people use castor oil to grow longer hair or to treat hair loss, also known as alopecia.

The 10 Best Body Lotions for Mature Skin That Hydrate, Firm and Smooth Skin Fast

In fact, using castor oil in your hair could cause a rare condition called felting, which is when your hair becomes so tangled it has to be cut off. Popular posts on TikTok show people smearing castor oil over their eyelids in the hopes of sharpening their vision, reducing eye floaters or even improving cataracts or glaucoma. If you are using it on your eyebrows, start with a very small amount, and be extra careful not to get the oil into your eyes. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. Cold pressed castor oil is always best to use because it ensures that none of the precious nutrients are lost during the manufacturing process.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Castor oil also improves blood circulation to your follicles, helping your hair grow. For this reason, the oil can also be applied to your eyebrows for hair growth. While you can technically leave castor oil in your hair overnight, leaving any oil on overnight or for longer than four hours should only be done intermittently, says Gaunitz. "After four to six hours the oil will break down and begin to collect dead skin cells and debris leading to possible inflammation." To create a natural heat protector, “apply a castor oil mixture on semi-dry ends, then heat style as normal to protect against high heat appliances and prevent frizzy results and split ends,” Yates adds. Just remember that the skin around your eyes is thin and prone to clogging, so “using castor oil around your eyes can exacerbate milia, blackheads, and acne,” says Dr. Talakoub.

It can be difficult to decipher which are viral but baseless trends versus those that can truly deliver stellar hydrating, soothing, and strengthening results for your strands. If you have fine-to-medium hair that’s prone to greasiness, smooth castor oil through your mid-lengths to ends and let it sit for 10 minutes before shampooing. But if your hair is a medium-to-thick texture, you can massage castor oil into your roots and smooth it through your ends, leaving it on for up to an hour (or overnight) before rinsing.

We ask three experts about the benefits of castor oil and exactly how to use it. It’s possible to experience an allergic reaction to castor oil used topically, which could result in redness, irritation and swelling. If this occurs, discontinue use immediately, and consult your health care provider if the symptoms don’t improve within a few hours. Studies indicate that the ricinoleic acid in castor oil protects the scalp and shaft of the hair from fungal and microbial infections. Ricinoleic acid is thought to promote blood circulation, which plays a vital role in stimulating hair growth. Antioxidants like vitamin E help protect against a process called oxidative stress in which healthy cells are damaged by free radicals.

Lisa Vann, a hairstylist and owner of Vann Studio Salon Spa in Seattle, Washington explains that it’s jojoba oil’s oily composition in particular that allows it to highly hydrate hair (as well as skin). “Because of this, it can be added to hair conditioners to provide added protection against dryness, breakage, and split ends,” she explains. Regarding jojoba oil in particular, experts agree that this naturally derived oil can have amazing benefits for hair (as well as skin, FYI). “Jojoba oil has been used for centuries for its various skin-care and hair-care benefits due to its similarity to the natural oils produced by the skin and scalp,” says Camille Friend, celebrity hairstylist for Prose. Castor oil is a true powerhouse when it comes to promoting healthy skin and hair.

It's also best to avoid castor oil extracted using hexane, a chemical solvent that can leave harmful residues in the oil. Opt for organic, hexane-free castor oil whenever possible to ensure you're getting the purest, most effective product. While a heated pad might feel soothing, there’s not much research to support the benefits of castor oil packs. In fact, a survey from 1999 found that 93% of midwives in the U.S. used it to induce labor.

While castor oil is best known for its skin and hair benefits, its uses extend far beyond beauty. This versatile oil has been used to treat various health conditions, from joint pain to digestive issues. One of the most notable benefits of castor oil is its ability to moisturize and nourish the skin and hair deeply. Its thick, viscous texture creates a protective barrier that locks in hydration, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin and hair soft and supple.

That goes for all skin types, btw, not just folks who are oily or acne-prone, so it’s best to approach this DIY with caution if you’re especially prone to clogged pores and bumps. I love the brand As I Am for both its effective, deeply conditioning hair products and for its humanitarian edge. This refugee-founded company is particularly popular among women with curly hair, several of whom write that this conditioner keeps their curls defined, bouncy, and healthy.

15 Best Hair Growth Oils of 2024, According to Experts - Town & Country

15 Best Hair Growth Oils of 2024, According to Experts.

Posted: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If split ends are a hair concern, she recommends applying it on ends as the last step of the styling process to smooth cuticles and prevent splits from continuing higher up on strands. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.

"Castor oil is rich in anti-inflammatory fatty acids which increase circulation and may potentially speed up the hair growth cycle," says dermatologist Jessie Cheung, MD. Castor oil also contains omega-6 fatty acids—a type of essential fatty acid that may promote hair growth and reduce inflammation in the hair follicle. The use of castor oil for hair dates back to 4000 BC in ancient Egypt. Castor oil has been claimed to have a slew of benefits, including strengthening strands, promoting hair growth, and nourishing dry scalp. And while the oil itself likely can't make the hair grow, it's loved for its ability to create a healthier environment on the scalp that makes for way better hair growth. Castor oil is sometimes marketed as a treatment for dry scalp, hair growth, and dandruff.