Castor Oil: What is it, how does it work and why should you be putting it on your hair…?

Estimated Read Time: 2.5 minutes

The beauty industry has been bowing down to Castor Oil for years. Its brilliant skin and healing benefits can even be cited back to Ancient Egypt. But, did you know that Castor Oil is also touted as one of the keys to growing long, thick and luscious hair…?

What Is Castor Oil And How Can It Help My Hair?

Castor Oil can be a wonderfully wholesome liquid to use on your hair and scalp. Castor Oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans. It’s adorned with vitamins, proteins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals – all of which can be terrific for your tresses.

As well as being incredibly popular for hair growth, its additionally thought to be excellent in treating irritated scalps, dandruff, and excess oil, due to the fact that it helps maintain moisture in the skin.

How Does Castor Oil Work For Hair?

The main fatty acid in Castor Oil is ricinoleic acid, which has powerful inflammatory properties (so, great for sensitive skin irritated by dandruff). Castor Oil increases circulation to the scalp and locks in strand and scalp moisture. It attracts dirt and oil which actually helps to cleanse the hair follicles by drawing dirt and excess oil away, and increases the absorption of other products and their ingredients!

How Do You Use Castor Oil For Hair Growth?

You can use 100% Castor Oil once to twice a week by simply massaging a dime-size amount into your scalp and letting it soak in. You can leave it anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours before washing it out.

If you have the time and want a super special weekly treatment, you could coat your entire scalp and hair all over with your Castor Oil, then wrap your hair in a shower cap or towel and sleep in it? You just have to shampoo and condition the hair the next day, and it can leave your hair looking and feeling fabulous!

What About Castor Oil For Eyelashes & Eyebrows?

Castor Oil is not only incredible for your head’s hair health but can help your eyebrows and eyelashes grow thicker and stronger too! Rest assured, Castor Oil is totally safe to use on your lashes and brows. Yes, it can help them grow but in addition, castor oil also can act as an awesome conditioner.

You can take a completely clean mascara brush to lick 100% Castor Oil onto your lashes. For your brows, take a couple of drops massaged into your fingertips and run them along the length of the brow (you can also use a brow brush here instead if you’d prefer.)

Just watch your eyes – if any oil does make contact with the eyeball, be sure to rinse with cool, clean water.

Are There Any Other Benefits Of Castor Oil?

Castor Oil is famously versatile and has multiple uses and benefits.

Pain relief: Castor Oil is a powerful natural analgesic – capable of relieving muscle tension and pain. It’s composed of 90% ricinoleic acid which is a compound renowned for being both a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory. When applied, it has been cited to be incredibly effective.

Digestion: Castor Oil can also be great for relieving a bloated belly. It’s been proven to improve circulation and the flow of the digestion by boosting your immune system. Try keeping your 100% Castor Oil in the fridge for an hour, as the coolness will help mask any unwanted taste, then mix 15 millilitres into a glass of fruit juice/flavoured water. It can bring you relief just 2 hours after taking it. A great, natural and short term fix for tantrum tummies.

Skin: Antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties make Castor Oil a super effective treatment for all sorts of skin remedies – say goodbye to dry, flaky skin! The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil help in alleviating acne and the natural ricinoleic acid can prevent the bacteria that contribute to spots from growing. Its low comedogenic score means it is unlikely to clog your pores, so reduces the risk of blackheads too. The fatty acids help maintain moisture, so it can enhance smoothness and give the face a beautiful softness. It helps promote healthy skin tissue, which can support the restoration of uneven skin tones.

Final Thoughts On Castor Oil For Hair Growth

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to absolutely guarantee hair growth (yet!) but the word-of-mouth in the entire beauty industry is a very positive indicator that Castor Oil can definitely play a role in hair growth and health.