Whether you’re a skincare junkie or just a beginner, chances are you’ve probably heard about castor oil at least once during your research. Castor oil is one of the most widely used oils around the world due to the long list of benefits it can provide.

If you’re still on the fence about castor oil, we got you! Keep reading to learn more about this miracle oil, how to use it, and who it’s for.

What is castor oil?

Did you know that people have been using castor oil for literally centuries? It was actually a staple used in Egypt for everything from lamp fuel to inducing labor in pregnant women!

Castor oil is a vegetable oil that is used for medicine, skin, haircare, and more. It’s mainly made of fatty acids that help to moisturize the skin and hair.

What are the benefits of castor oil?

It is one of those products that can be used for dozens of things which is why it’s been such an essential in many cultures dating back thousands and thousands of years. It’s considered a do-it-all oil that has a ton of benefits, some you may not even know of.

It is a natural moisturizer

 It’s rich in ricinoleic acid which acts as a humectant to draw moisture to the skin and prevent water loss. Castor oil is also packed with vitamin E to help hydrate the skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

So long injections, this magic oil can help prevent wrinkles! 

Okay so it may not be as effective as injections, but castor oil can actually protect your skin from wrinkles because it stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin. And since our collagen and elastin production start to slow down as we age, we need all the help we can get.

It can help soothe acne, rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema

 This oil is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, so it helps problematic skin by fighting bacteria and hydrating the skin. If you’re dealing with skin problems and are unsure if this oil is for you, talk to your dermatologist! They’ll be able to better assess whether castor oil will work for your skin and if not, they can give you alternative options.

Castor oil can smooth dead ends

 

Unfortunately, nothing can repair split ends or damaged hair permanently, but applying a bit of castor oil can temporarily smooth any frizz to make your hair appear shiny and healthy. Just an FYI, if you’re looking to repair dead ends, it’s time for a trim. Sorry long hair lovers!

With that being said, it can actually decrease the chances of your hair breaking because it lubricates the hair shaft to promote flexibility.

If you deal with dry scalp and flaking, castor oil should be your new best friend

 

Because of it’s moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil can help with a dry, itchy, flakey scalp. It’s the perfect addition to your deep conditioning routine, especially as the cold weather starts to roll around!

It may help with hair growth

 

While there haven’t been extensive studies on if castor actually helps your hair grow, it is known to nourish and increase the blood flow to your scalp to promote healthy hair growth. There have also been a few studies that show castor inhibits the hormones that cause hair loss and balding. Many people praise using this oil on their scalps, eyebrows, and eyelashes to encourage growth! It doesn’t hurt to try, right?

Is castor oil for me?

Whether you’re using castor oil for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, or medicinal properties—it’s pretty much for everyone. It’s great if you have dry skin because it helps hydrate and it’s also ideal to use on acne-prone skin as an anti-inflammatory. If you’re pregnant, you may want to stay away from castor oil as it is known to induce labor.

Keep in mind like with any other skincare ingredient, some people can be allergic to this oil. To avoid any irritation, do a skin test before applying it to your face or scalp.

How do I use it?

There are a few different ways to apply castor oil depending on what you’re using it for:

  • If you’re looking to help moisturize, fight acne, or prevent wrinkles, you should apply a little bit of oil to your clean face and neck before going to bed.
  • Trying to grow out your hair? Gently massage the oil onto your scalp for 4-5 minutes. Not only does the castor oil help inhibit the hormones known to cause hair loss, but scalp massages actually get the blood flowing to the surface of your skin and stimulate the hair follicles. Let the castor oil sit on your scalp for 10-30 minutes before cleansing and conditioning your hair. To speed up lash and brow growth, simply dip a spoolie in castor oil and apply to your lashes and brows before bed.
  • To help fight split ends, warm a small drop of the oil in your hands before smoothing it through the ends of your hair.
  • If you’re having trouble, well, going to the bathroom, you can actually take castor oil orally. It has been used as a natural laxative for years and it’s great if you’re dealing with digestion issues.

Best castor oils for the skin and hair

You may see a ton of products on the market that feature castor oil as one of their star ingredients but if you really want to get the most out of this do-it-all oil, your best bet is to find one that’s cold-pressed and natural.

You also want to steer clear of the oils that have a ton of added ingredients like fragrances. This can cause irritation for some people. Try sticking to oil that only has ‘castor oil’ listed as an ingredient. Here are a few of our faves: