I’ve been experimenting a lot with castor oil lately as a natural beauty remedy. I already use it in my oil cleansing blend each day, and I’m enjoying the results from using castor oil packs on my skin.
Years ago, a friend mentioned that she loved castor oil for hair and eyelashes. I was really skeptical because castor oil has a very thick and sticky consistency that I couldn’t imagine using in hair. I did some research and found out that I had been seriously missing out on a simple and really effective traditional beauty remedy…
Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair and Skin
Castor oil is an age-old beauty treatment that has been largely replaced over time by fancier beauty products with more ingredients and a bigger price tag.
Castor oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties and is high in vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and omega-6 and -9 beneficial fatty acids. Its unusually high ricinoleic acid ratio makes it beneficial to skin and hair.
In fact, castor oil has traditionally been used topically for acne and other skin conditions, as well as hair loss, rashes, and more. If you want to try it for skincare, I recommend this handcrafted castor oil cleansing blend.
What Does Castor Oil Do for the Hair?
Castor oil can be used on the scalp to help prevent and remedy hair loss and it is effective at this for several reasons. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties make it beneficial against follliculitus, dandruff, and scalp infections and its ricinoleic acid content helps increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair growth.
Ricinoleic acid is also said to help balance scalp pH which can also help replenish the scalp’s natural oils and undo some of the damage of harsh chemical hair products (and even damage from no-poo, due to over alkalinity). The antioxidants in castor oil also support the keratin in hair and help make hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy.
“Three Times the Growth!”
There are hundreds of testimonials from people who used castor oil to increase their hair growth 3-5 times the normal rate. A friend of mine was struggling with postpartum hair loss and even once her hair loss slowed, regrowing her hair was difficult.
She measured her hair growth for a month and it grew almost half an inch. The next month, after using castor oil hair treatments twice a week, her hair had grown almost 2 inches. She tested this again the following month and noticed the same result and that her hair was dramatically thicker.
What Type of Castor Oil for Hair?
There are several options for castor oil hair treatments. I prefer to make my own, but there are some pre-made options (this is a good one that I’ve tried in the past).
To make my own, I mix castor oil with another hair-healthy oil (options listed below) and herbs to help support scalp health. Unrefined and cold-pressed hexane-free castor oil is preferred.
Castor oil is extremely thick and viscous so I prefer to mix with jojoba or argan oil in a glass dropper bottle for easy application.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
There is a special type of castor oil called Jamaican black castor oil that has extremely good reviews. I tried it as well and it seemed to work about the same as regular castor oil on my hair, but it seems that it might provide additional benefit for those with thick or dry hair (my hair is fine/oily).
How to Use Castor Oil Treatments on Hair
Castor oil can be very beneficial for hair growth if used correctly. Small amounts of plain oil can be used for an all-over treatment. Like many things in life, more is not always better, and only a few drops are needed per treatment. The additional oils are completely optional.
How Often
I personally use this castor oil 1-2 times per week. It can be used more often, though I didn’t see any increased results with using it daily.
When to Use
I’ve found that this treatment works better on damp but not wet hair. I keep a spray bottle of water in the bathroom and just spritz my roots before applying.
For maximum benefit, I leave the treatment on for several hours or overnight. After applying, I use a shower cap or towel to avoid getting the oil on furniture or a pillow.
How to Remove the Oil
Removing the castor oil can be difficult, especially with natural shampoos. I’ve found that using a small amount and leaving it on overnight will result in most of the oil absorbing into the hair and scalp and make cleanup easier. In fact, I’ve been able to use dry shampoo and not wash on a few occasions. When I do shampoo, I use a natural shampoo or mud shampoo as normal.
An alternate way is to crack an egg and whisk until smooth and then massage the egg into the scalp. This helps break down the oil and adds additional nutrients to the hair. It is messy though, so I’d recommend doing this in the shower.
Another less-messy way is to condition your hair before getting in the shower, massaging conditioner into the scalp to help remove the castor oil. Then, shampoo as usual.
Important Notes:
With any new oil, herb, or product, test a tiny amount on your inner arm to make sure you don’t have a reaction. While reactions are rare, some people will notice irritation from castor oil.
I’ve also used this in combination with my hair growth serum with great results. (I use the serum first to dampen hair, then apply the castor oil.)
It is also important to support the body nutritionally and hormonally with hair loss, as this can often be a sign of an internal problem.
BONUS TIP: I rub a tiny amount of castor oil on my eyelids at night to help eyelash growth as well. It is also part of my eyelash growth serum recipe.
Castor Oil Hair Serum Recipe
Materials
- 3 TBSP castor oil
- 1 TBSP jojoba oil (or argan oil)
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a dark-colored dropper bottle.
- Shake to mix.
- Use the dropper to apply to the scalp. I part my hair right above the ear on one side, add a few drops of castor oil, part again about ½ inch from that part, add more castor oil, and so on until I’ve coated my whole scalp.
- Then, I massage for 5 minutes to make sure entire scalp is coated and to help increase circulation.
Notes
My Own Results with Castor Oil…
Last year, when I was under extreme stress for a short period of time (finishing my book *ahem*), I noticed increased hair loss. My Hashimoto’s makes me more susceptible to hair loss when I’m under stress, and I was stressed about my hair loss (vicious cycle).
To combat this, I experimented with natural castor oil treatments both alone and mixed with other oils. I too noticed that my hair seemed stronger and that there was definitely less hair in my brush each day after a few weeks of castor oil treatments. Additionally, I started seeing tiny new hairs all around my hair line.
Random observation:
I split my head open when I was younger, requiring 8 staples in my scalp. Where the scar is, I have a patch of super-curly hair that falls in a perfect ringlet, even though the rest of my hair is wavy/straight. The castor oil seemed to help make this hair patch smoother, though it grew at a faster rate than the rest of my hair.
Now, I’ve made these castor oil hair treatments a regular part of my weekly routine and often do them at night, while wearing my blue blocker glasses and reading or watching a movie with my hubby.
This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Ever used castor oil? What was your best oil blend?
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Thanks Katie! I can’t wait to try this. Is there a certain brand of jojoba and coconut oil that you recommend?
Hello~I am wondering if you just massage this into your scalp or if you also apply it to your ends. I’m not really having hair loss- but rather hair breakage around my face. Im thinking it’s from taking DHEA for a few months. I had read that DHEA can cause hair breakage, thanks in advance for your answer about the application 🙂
I have been using castor oil on my eyelashes at night and definitely notice a difference. I just apply a small amount with a q tip.
Would you recommend this for a child? My 3.5 year old daughter has rather thin hair, frizzy due to our very dry air, and it grows very slowly. (I’ve nver cut it and it’s only an inch past her shoulders, if that). I’d love for her to have long, thick hair (like mine, so I can’t figure where she gets her thin hair from!)
Much of hair growth is genetic. It’s kind of how some people are predisposed to low muscle tone bodies and others can gain or maintain muscle easily. You can find healthy habits to support your goal, but I wouldn’t expect someone who struggles with thin hair to become a Garnier girl — even with good habits. Castor oil is great for scalp dandruff. If your air is dry and she has scalp issues, this may be of help to her.
I have medium thick hair with a few spots that are sensitive to thinning. My mother and two of my sisters have locks thick as you’d ever dream.
Not sure how willing you would be to do this, but, my kids (twins) had VERY fine hair up until age 2.5 yrs. My son had hardly any hair actually. I was so distressed that he looked bald all the time, even other people commented on his lack of hair. What i ended up doing was what my mum did to me when i was around 3 – i shaved their hair off, twice. It wasnt really an issue even for my daughter, as she’s very confident anyway, but i have to say, it absolutely worked. Their hair is soooo thick now, esp my son’s. It’s beautiful. I look at it now in wonder and think of all the times i stressed because it was super fine and wispy. Its an old ethnic tale, but ive always been told that, if a young child has fine hair, shave it off (buzz cut), and it will grow back thicker (like it does when you start shaving your legs).
It’s actually impossible for hair to grow back thicker from shaving. It’s a myth. The number of follicles you have is set at birth. What happens when you shave is you cut the hair in the middle of the shaft, where it’s thickest. Therefore when it grows, it appears thicker.
“(like it does when you start shaving your legs).” aka nothing, if that’s the equivalence, thanks ;).
My husband and I both had no hair as children it took us a long time to grow it but his hair is sooo thick and curly and mine has always been very long. Thinner now but it grows well and is probably 4 inches from reaching my rear.. So dont despair 😉
Just to clarify- you are putting it on your scalp only not necessarily coating all of your hair down to the tips?
Yes, I apply to the scalp, although some does get into my hair. It’s not harmful to the hair.
This is very helpful! Question… I’ve heard that you should never use coconut oil in your hair if you don’t use a commercial grade shampoo. Is that true? Because I have very oily hair and I use your homemade coconut milk/castile soap shampoo and I’m afraid it won’t be tough enough to remove extra oils. You use the branch basics cleaner in your hair as well? Thanks so much!!
I do use branch basics, but regular shampoo will take it out (at least it does for me).
Coconut oil is the only oil with molecules small enough to actually be absorbed by your hair. Studies have proven the hair actually absorbs virgin coconut oil. So no, that is not true. It can be removed quite easily without a commercial shampoo, and it absorbs readily into skin and hair. This, coming from a user of coconut oil in hair for over 10 years. It is edible so it is non-comedogenic and non-toxic. It won’t clog the pores on your scalp.
will the coconut oil return back to it original stage after it cool off and mixing with the Castrol or shall I only use coconut oil alone and not mix it any other oil
This is great! Just wondering if jojoba oil will stain blonde hair? Also, can this be used on ends too? I know hair grows from the root, but I find I get a lot of end breakage too which doesn’t help.
Jojoba oil will not stain your hair.
Would this work on eyebrows too? Eyelashes?
I read about castor oil on eyebrows and eyelashes, so every night i put a drop of oil on tip- of index finger rub together with the other and first i go over my eyebrows then with the rest i rub my eyelids getting it all over my eyelashes. I have gotten tremendous results! its pretty amazing because eyelashes had gotten so thin because of age and i kid you not now they look like when i was 20 years old again! It really does work. Now i will try adding the rosemary oil for better results. I cant even imagine what they’ll look like if i add the rosemary oil. 🙂
I haven’t used castor oil in my hair but have had great success with eyelashes! Just massage a bit into the roots (from the top) and then use whatever is left on your finger to sweep it through the length from the underside. It really works.
Also, if you’re experiencing hair loss I HIGHLY recommend a boar bristle brush. I really want a Mason Pearson but it’s a lot of moola. There is a Sonia Kashuk knockoff at Target that is around $15 and it has drastically reduced my hair loss in a couple of months. I am talking my hair is at least 50% thicker. Hope this helps 🙂
What was your technique for using the brush to help with hair loss? (some people say lean over and brush hair from back to front….)
Whatever you do start brushing your hair from the ends and work up, this way you can get any knots out without ripping strands whole strands.
How often do you recommend using this treatment?
Once or twice per week is what I do.
Is it any castor oil bcos dey sell at d drugs centre is it d one dat stimulate labor or there is a special one for it
That’s the same castor oil she is referring to. There is no such thing as “food grade” or “medical grade” castor oil. It is all the same unless it has added oils like rosemary, which some are sold that way. Pure, cold pressed, hexane-free castor oil can be consumed to start labor, and it is used for skin and hair care.
Do the chickens have large talons?