I’ve been playing around with castor oil lately as a natural beauty remedy. I’ve already been using it in my daily oil cleansing routine, and I’m loving the results from using castor oil packs on my skin.
Years ago, a friend of mine mentioned that she swore by castor oil for her hair and eyelashes. Honestly, I was doubtful at first because castor oil is really thick and sticky—so I couldn’t imagine using it on hair. After some research, I discovered that I had been missing out on a simple and effective beauty treatment.
Castor oil is a classic beauty solution that’s been somewhat forgotten due to the rise of newer, pricier products with long ingredient lists. It has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties and is packed with vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and omega-6 and -9 fatty acids. Thanks to its high ricinoleic acid content, it’s great for both skin and hair.
Traditionally, castor oil has been used for treating acne, skin conditions, hair loss, rashes, and more. If you’re interested in trying it for skincare, I suggest using a handcrafted castor oil.
Using castor oil on the scalp can help combat hair loss for several reasons. Its antibacterial and antifungal traits make it beneficial against folliculitis, dandruff, and scalp infections. Ricinoleic acid helps boost circulation to the scalp, promoting hair growth. It also seems to balance the scalp’s pH, helping restore natural oils and repair damage from harsh hair products or overly alkaline “no-poo” methods. The antioxidants in castor oil support keratin, making hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy.
There are countless stories of people who used castor oil to boost their hair growth by 3 to 5 times the usual rate. A friend of mine experienced significant postpartum hair loss, and even though it eventually slowed, regrowing her hair was tough. She measured her hair growth for a month, finding it grew about half an inch. Then, after using castor oil treaments twice a week, it grew almost 2 inches in the following month. She repeated this experiment and saw the same results, noticing thicker hair.
For castor oil hair treatments, I like to make my own. I mix castor oil with another hair-friendly oil and herbs to nourish the scalp, using unrefined, cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil. Since castor oil is quite dense, I prefer blending it with jojoba or argan oil in a glass dropper bottle for easier application.
There’s a type called Jamaican black castor oil that gets great reviews. I tried it, and while it worked similarly to regular castor oil for my hair, it seems to offer extra benefits for thick or dry hair. My hair is fine and oily, though.
Castor oil can really help with hair growth if you use it right. Just a small amount can work wonders, and you only need a few drops per treatment. Adding other oils is completely optional.
I personally apply castor oil 1 to 2 times a week. It’s fine to use more often, but I didn’t notice any extra benefits when I used it daily. It seems to work better on slightly damp hair, so I keep a spray bottle in the bathroom to spritz my roots before applying it.
For best results, I leave it on for several hours or overnight, using a shower cap or towel to keep the oil off furniture and pillows. Washing out castor oil can be tricky, especially with natural shampoos. Using a small amount of oil and letting it absorb overnight makes cleanup easier. I’ve even used dry shampoo without washing my hair sometimes. When I do wash, I use a natural or mud shampoo.
Another method is cracking an egg, whisking it smooth, and massaging it into the scalp. It helps break down the oil and adds nutrients, although it’s messy, so I suggest doing this in the shower. A less messy alternative is to condition your hair before showering. Massage conditioner into your scalp to help remove the oil, then wash with shampoo as usual.
Always test a small amount of any new oil or product on your inner arm to check for reactions. While rare, some people might experience irritation from castor oil.
I’ve also had great results using it with my hair growth serum. I apply the serum first to dampen my hair, then add castor oil. It’s equally important to support your body nutritionally and hormonally in cases of hair loss, as it might be a sign of an internal issue.
Bonus tip: I apply a tiny bit of castor oil on my eyelids at night for eyelash growth. It’s also part of my eyelash growth serum recipe.
Last year, during a particularly stressful period while finishing my book, I saw an increase in hair loss. My condition, Hashimoto’s, makes me more prone to hair loss under stress—a vicious cycle. To deal with it, I tried natural castor oil treatments on their own and with other oils. I noticed my hair felt stronger, and there was less hair in my brush after a few weeks. I also started seeing new hairs along my hairline.
A random observation: I have a scar on my scalp from childhood that caused a patch of tightly curled hair, unlike the rest of my wavy/straight hair. Castor oil seemed to smooth this patch and helped it grow faster than the rest of my hair.
Now, these castor oil treatments are a regular part of my weekly routine. I often do them at night while relaxing with my husband.
Have you ever tried castor oil? What oil blend worked best for you?
