Castor Oil for Hair: The Pros and Cons, According to Experts

Table Of Content

• How often should you apply castor oil?
• At-Home Teeth Whitening Tricks That Work for Any Type of Stain to Make You Look Younger Fast
• Is Black Castor Oil Good for Hair?
• Can it benefit hair health in other ways?
• What hair types is castor oil best for?
• MDs Share the Best Menopause Skin Care Routine + Products for Women Over 50

“Hair oils are oil-based nourishing solutions that are applied topically to promote healthy hair growth, enhance shine, and combat common hair concerns,” says Jhin. Although hair oils vary in their ingredients, Jhin explains that they are all generally developed to deliver nutrients to the hair and promote scalp health. “A hair oil can be created as a blend of natural oils carefully formulated [together] to penetrate the hair shaft and provide deep hydration from root to tip,” she adds.

How often should you apply castor oil?

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"Castor oil is on the thicker side and can make the scalp greasy," Dr. Amin says. It should be thought of as a weekly treatment and is not meant for daily use. He suggests applying a small amount of castor oil to dry hair once per week, leaving it on for 30 minutes or longer, then washing it out with a clarifying shampoo. You can also mix it with other hair oils, such as coconut oil or almond oil, to balance the texture. "Pure castor oil is very viscous, so it can cause hair to feel oily and weighed down if too much is applied," Butler adds. Jhin also recommends sectioning hair for a targeted application method.

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Thinning hair or hair thinning refers to female or male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia. This type of hair loss is genetically predetermined and the only FDA medically approved solution is Minoxidil, 'explains Kingsley. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.

Is Black Castor Oil Good for Hair?

They used it as a natural moisturizer to keep their skin soft and supple in the harsh desert climate. Cleopatra herself was known to use castor oil as part of her beauty regimen. Castor oil has been used for centuries to treat constipation and may be a good natural moisturizer for your skin and scalp. But there's not much scientific evidence for other possible health benefits.

Can it benefit hair health in other ways?

Hair loss is a very complex condition that can be caused by a myriad of things. If you are dealing with hair loss, we recommend making an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair loss and scalp conditions. A dermatologist will help to diagnose the cause of your hair loss and come up with a treatment plan to help restore your tresses. “Castor oil tends to have a moisturizing and nourishing effect on the hair, so typically those with dry, brittle, or curly hair may benefit most from use,” Dr. Luke says. 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.

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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. As you should do with any new topical product, test a tiny amount of black castor oil on your inner arm.

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Since the condition is irreversible, cutting off the affected hair is the only solution. Castor oil hasn’t been found to do anything substantial for hair growth. And who knows, you might just discover your new favorite beauty secret.

The TL;DR is no. "Castor oil will not grow hair," says Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist and the author of Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry. "There is no evidence for it and no scientific theory supporting that it would work. So yes, it's a total myth." Diluting the castor oil can also tone down the scent, which many people find unpleasant. Mix one part of castor oil with two parts of another carrier oil to dilute it. But it does have some benefits for other parts of your body, so don’t feel like you can’t use it at all. Put it on your face or anywhere on your body to help moisturize your skin and keep bacteria and fungi off your skin surface.

Friend agrees, sharing that “a hair oil is a natural oil used to nourish, condition and improve the overall health of the hair and scalp,” she says. "Plus, it's also filled with antioxidants and has antibacterial and antifungal effects," Dr. Cheung adds, making it a perfect oil for dry scalps and even drier hair. On top of that, castor oil is rich in vitamin E and a type of fat called ricinoleic acid which has shown to tame inflammation — another cause of hair loss. Some say that fatty acids contribute to healthy hair follicles which could also help increase hair growth. A natural elixir, castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant and one of the key reasons castor oil has become a trending hair growth solution is its unique composition. It is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin E, proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, and minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

Do a patch test before you use any new product, including castor oil, on your skin. Put a little drop of the oil on your hand or face and wait a few hours to see if it causes irritation or an allergic reaction. Castor oil is heavy and very sticky, which makes it hard to remove from hair.

But be careful when you apply it, as it can irritate parts of your body if used improperly. But there’s no research that has definitively proven that any one of these oils is more beneficial than the others. Its antifungal properties help to balance the vaginal flora, preventing the overgrowth of Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for most yeast infections. Vitamin E neutralizes these harmful molecules, helping to keep your skin looking young and radiant. It also promotes cell regeneration, which can help to fade scars and dark spots over time.

One study in people found it was as effective at treating symptoms of knee arthritis as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). 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. Like many things in life, more is not always better, and only a few drops are needed per treatment. 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.

You can even mix it with other stimulating oils, like rosemary and mint, to sweeten the smell as you try to speed up your growth goals. Whether you’re looking to use the oil for its moisturizing properties or want to challenge growth claims for yourself, there are plenty of ways to incorporate castor oil into your hair care routine. The oil is best used by those with a “dry scalp and brittle, frizzy hair,” Dr. Green says. 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. There are tons of ways to use it—Kohatsu says it can operate like a cleansing oil for hair, prevent moisture loss or color fade, and improve hair quality naturally by being antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. “When we were in the beginning stages of formulating a new haircare collection, we wanted a main ingredient that really did everything,” Terry adds.

This makes it effective at balancing the bacteria on the skin and scalp, which can help to prevent acne, dandruff, and other common skin and hair issues. Castor oil is a true powerhouse when it comes to promoting healthy skin and hair. Its secret lies in its unique composition, particularly its high concentration of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid with impressive properties. In ancient China, castor oil was used to treat skin conditions like ringworm and itching. These early civilizations laid the foundation for the many uses of castor oil that we still benefit from today. From soothing skin ailments to promoting healthy hair growth, castor oil has stood the test of time as a go-to solution for various health and beauty concerns.

Because it’s so thick, it can clog pores, cause build-up, and even lead to scalp irritation. "Benefits are not going to happen overnight," says Korab, who recommends sticking with one or two weekly applications for a couple of months. As is generally recommended when trying a new skin or hair product, you may want to perform a patch test beforehand to make sure you don't have any adverse reactions.

“For example, applying hair oil to damp hair can help seal in moisture, while using hair oil on dry hair can provide a smoother finish,” she says. Every Saturday morning, my mom would sit us down to oil our scalps with a special blend of coconut oil, amla oil, almond oil, and castor oil. Now that I live on my own, I still take the time to oil my scalp once a week—but rather than make my own blend, I use one of the many hair oils on the market. And dare I say, it's the reason I constantly get compliments on my healthy, smooth, long hair. Keep reading for my product recommendations, as well as how to properly oil your hair and how often you should be hair oiling, according to experts.