Castor Oil for Hair: Benefits, Side Effects and How to Use It

Table Of Content

• Castor Oil for Hair Growth: Does It Actually Work?
• How to Tweeze Eyebrows: Experts Share Top Tricks + Why It’s Best for Women Over 50
• The benefits of hair oiling:
• The 10 Best Body Lotions for Mature Skin That Hydrate, Firm and Smooth Skin Fast
• Kreyòl Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil: Organic Rosemary Peppermint Oil
• Act + Acre Cold Processed Vitamin E Scalp Detox Oil

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Castor Oil for Hair Growth: Does It Actually Work?

'It's an ingredient that is well loved and used widely by those with afro-textured hair, where the coil is quite tight in appearance. There are many products on the market which contains this ingredient, including one of my favourites which I’ve been using recently by Cantu called Protective Styles Daily Oil Drops. Over time it works to aid growth and soothes the scalp,' adds Hair Stylist Adjoa Obeng.

How to Tweeze Eyebrows: Experts Share Top Tricks + Why It’s Best for Women Over 50

However, little evidence supports the anecdotes that say it improves hair health and growth. For a quick and simple hair mask recipe, try mixing one tablespoon melted coconut oil, one tablespoon castor oil, and 10 drops rosemary essential oil. Allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes, then wash as usual.

The benefits of hair oiling:

In fact, I’ve been able to use dry shampoo and not wash on a few occasions. According to the product developer, the largest difference between the two types of castor oil is just how they’re processed. Yates says that creating an at-home natural castor oil treatment is also an easy option, and it can be used in various ways.

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

When you use castor oil for constipation, take it several hours before or after you take any other medications. Derived from the seeds of the castor bean (Ricinus communis), castor oil has industrial applications as a lubricant as well as use as an additive in cosmetics and foods. Both Dr. Green and Emmanuel agree that less is more when it comes to using the oil.

Kreyòl Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil: Organic Rosemary Peppermint Oil

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While castor oil is often touted as a remedy for thinning hair, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support this claim. 'Its moisturising properties may benefit the hair, but its effectiveness for hair regrowth is uncertain,' explains Paul Windle, Founder of Windle London salon and Windle Lab haircare range. It has a rich history, dating back thousands of years, and it has been utilised for various medicinal purposes. Fun fact; it was mentioned in ancient Egyptian medical texts as a cure for eye irritation. However, its potential benefits for hair growth have gained significant traction in recent times, leading to its rise in popularity and recognition within the beauty community. “With careful application, the oil can provide improved growth to hairs with shorter growth phases such as lashes and brows, which tend to fall out naturally at about 100 days,” says Dr. Thosani.

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From helping hair grow to increasing its density, it seems there’s nothing castor oil can’t do, but what does the science say? Antioxidants like vitamin E help protect against a process called oxidative stress in which healthy cells are damaged by free radicals. Oxidative stress contributes to hair loss as well as various chronic health conditions. Both Ruggeri and Dr. Clay agree that it’s a good idea to wash the oil out—not doing this can make your strands feel excessively greasy and heavy, and it can also make styling your hair more challenging.

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. "Castor oil can help to condition hair strands and increase shine and hydration," explains Dr. Rebecca Marcus, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MaeiMD. When shopping for castor oil, you might see some products that say "cold-pressed" on their labels. Cold-pressed means the castor seeds were pressed into the oil without heat or harsh chemicals.

The best castor oil hair products to try

Castor oil may also worsen scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (a form of eczema on the scalp), Dr. Garshick warns. Some people claim castor oil's benefits for hair are related to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants keep free radicals from damaging the body's healthy cells. This destructive process is called oxidative stress, and it's linked to many health effects, including hair loss. Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with nearly four years of experience writing beauty stories that range from curling irons to collagen for hair growth.

Its rich history is a testament to its effectiveness and the wisdom of our ancestors. “Fatty acids provide essential proteins and nutrients to hair follicles and prevent hair follicle inflammation,” says Bridgette Hill. The only potential disadvantage of using castor oil for hair growth is that it is so heavy that it can be difficult to wash out of your scalp, potentially causing buildup, acne, and overall a greasy scalp, notes Dr. Cheung. "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. When using castor oil, “some people may experience an allergic reaction or skin irritation,” says Dr. Rodney. For this reason, experts recommend a patch test before applying castor oil to the hair or scalp.

She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more. To prevent thinning and damage from everyday styling, Korab also recommends using a heat protectant.

Because of hair oil’s low molecular weight, it’s one of the few types of formulas that can truly penetrate the hair shaft. Studies suggest that castor oil benefits the hair due to its high content of ricinoleic acid and other fatty acids, amino acids, flavonoids, vitamin E and minerals. While castor oil has long been touted as being beneficial for hair, it’s important to know if it’s right for your specific hair and scalp and the best way to incorporate it into your hair-care routine. 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.

Dr. Nikki Hill is a board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration expert. "It changes from person to person depending on hair texture and density. Use enough to make sure to coat the hair so you can see the shine," says Korab. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

We ask three experts about the benefits of castor oil and exactly how to use it. Castor oil is safe to use for most people, specifically those with medium, thick, and coarse hair types. According to Gregorio Ruggeri, trichologist and owner of Salon Ruggeri in New York City, the oil can weigh down thin and/or straight hair since it's thicker than most other oils. While there's no real research to suggest that castor oil can directly cause hair growth, Phillip B. Says it's possible that castor oil can contribute to the overall health of your hair, which can, in turn, help you retain length. 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.