Reach into your grandmother’s bathroom cabinet and you might find a bottle of castor oil tucked in the back corner. She’d probably tell you that she’s used it as a ‘cure’ for just about everything, from dandruff to indigestion, depending on the day. Now, you’re
seeing this vintage product everywhere on your social feeds, with influencers raving about its benefits for hair and skin. So, does it actually work?
What is castor oil?
There’s no shortage of old wives’ tales about castor oil, ranging from mediocre to miraculous. Hailing from the castor bean, the oil is made from a vegetable (
Ricinus communis) that grows throughout warm areas of the world, though it’s mainly cultivated in India, China, Greece and Brazil. Interestingly, the plant’s oil-rich seeds contain a toxic compound called
ricin, which happens to be a lethal substance. The toxin, however, is rendered inert during the extraction process (so no need to worry about safety!).
Castor oil is well known to be rich in antioxidants and other healthy compounds, including a powerful omega-9 fatty acid called
ricinoleic acid, which
research shows is anti-inflammatory and pain relieving. It also supplies another health-boosting omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, and is an excellent source of vitamin E. Together, these nutrients are responsible for the wide range of
castor oil benefits that have brought castor oil back into the beauty spotlight.
How to use castor oil
If you’re interested in giving castor oil a try, read on to learn more about its benefits and some clever ways to add it to your routine.
1. Hydration
Castor oil is incredibly hydrating and known to stay on skin longer than other oils or lotions. It permeates deep into the skin’s layers, working to support healthy collagen and elastin while softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to use castor oil for facial care: Due to its thick, viscous texture, you might consider thinning out castor oil by mixing it with other skin-friendly oils such as
almond,
olive or
coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your face and gently rub in for an ultra-hydrating daily moisturizer.
How to use castor oil for hand care: For an intensely hydrating overnight hand treatment, mix castor oil with
shea butter, coat hands well and slip on a pair of soft cotton gloves (
Earth Therapeutic’s Moisturizing Hand Gloves are perfect for this).
How to use castor oil for lip care: Apply a thin layer of castor oil directly to your lips to keep them moisturized and protected during the colder, dryer seasons of the year (or anytime, really!).
Pro tip: Castor oil is best suited for very dry or mature skin types. It may not be ideal for those with acne-prone skin (despite having antibacterial properties). Before applying castor oil on large areas of your skin, do a patch test. If any irritation occurs, discontinue use.
2. Scalp moisturizing & hair growth
Well known as a powerful scalp moisturizer, castor oil is also being
studied for its potential to improve hair growth. Its fatty acids, along with vitamin E, serve as humectants – which means they trap water well. The act of massaging the oil into your scalp also increases blood flow to hair follicles, promoting healthy hair growth naturally.
How to use castor oil as a scalp/hair moisturizer: Again, because of its thickness, you might consider mixing castor oil with other, lighter oils when using it as a scalp or hair treatment. Simply apply a small amount directly to your scalp and/or hair, gently massage in, let sit for 30 minutes (or longer, if desired), then shampoo and rinse.
How to use castor oil to support hair growth: One popular folk remedy involves combining castor oil with fenugreek seeds, which are rich in iron and proteins specific to strengthening hair. To prepare the mixture, in a pan over low-medium heat, combine 1 teaspoon each of castor oil, coconut oil, almond oil and sesame oil with 2 teaspoons of
fenugreek seeds. Heat until frothy (about 2-4 minutes), then remove from heat and let cool. Apply to hair, let sit and shampoo/rinse in the same way as noted above.
Pro tip: A castor oil deep treatment for hair/scalp is ideal once a week for most people. More frequent use can leave hair feeling greasy. For an overnight treatment, simply apply a small amount of castor oil, cover with a shower cap and wash out in the morning.
3. Eyelash volumizing
Though there isn’t solid science to back claims that castor oil helps eyelashes to grow thicker or longer, plenty of people swear by it for these benefits. Certainly, castor oil
does create a healthier environment for lashes by keeping them well hydrated. And some
studies have shown show that applying it topically may help manage conditions like blepharitis, an inflammatory eyelid issue that can make eyelashes fall out.
How to use castor oil for eyelashes: Use a clean mascara wand to apply the oil to your top and bottom lashes once a day. Take care to avoid getting oil directly in your eyes. (Note: Consider doing a patch test, or using very small amounts at first, when using castor oil around your eyes. Stop using immediately if any signs of irritation occur.)
Pro tip: Try
Baebody’s Castor Oil Eyelash Serum kit which includes pure castor oil, eyelash wands and eyeliner brushes that make it easy to apply castor oil to lashes and brows every day.
4. Wound care and scar prevention
Due to castor oil’s ricinoleic acid content, as well as its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, it may promote wound healing. Some research suggests ricinoleic acid can serve as an alternative to
capsaicin, a natural compound found in cayenne peppers, which is also known to speed up wound healing but can irritate sensitive wound sites. More research is needed to confirm these benefits.
Note that it’s not recommended to apply castor oil directly to open wounds; but massaging it into scar tissue may help soften the dense, knotted texture, loosening it and potentially diminishing it over time.
How to use castor oil for wound care: Create a ‘castor oil pack’ by soaking a
square of cloth in castor oil and wrapping around the affected area. Secure in place by placing a towel over the cloth, then wrapping in plastic wrap. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top and leave on for 45 minutes. Remove dressings and wipe away oil with a warm, damp cloth when finished.
Ingesting castor oil
You may think that since castor oil gives you such a great glow topically, it will do the same when taken internally – like taking fish oil or flaxseed oil. But, a word to the wise: Castor oil may have a long history of being consumed for wellness purposes, but take caution (and talk to your healthcare provider) if you decide to do so. For example, Egyptians are said to have used it for laxative purposes and inducing labor – due to its cleansing, purgative effects. Castor oil is used in Ayurvedic health practices, as well, for these same purposes.
So, Grandma may tell you about the wide-ranging uses of castor oil, but it’s mostly a safe bet for deeply moisturizing your skin, scalp and hair. Plus, it’s an affordable addition to add to hair and skincare routines. You’ll be able to reap the benefits without spending a fortune on specialty products.
