Castor Oil for Hair: Benefits and How to Use According to Experts

Table Of Content

• Best for added relaxation: Love Beauty and Planet Hemp Seed Oil Shampoo
• A quick look at hemp seed oil products for hair
• Best Castor Oils for Hair Growth, According to Dermatologists
• Best Castor Oil Hair Products
• What’s the best way to use castor oil for hair and can it be applied daily?
• Best for preventing damage: Urban Hydration Rose & Hemp Bundle

You can also use it in its natural form, which is free of perfumes and dyes. Because it can be irritating to skin, try diluting it with another neutral oil. For a more customized treatment, you can mix castor oil with other carrier oils, like jojoba oil or coconut oil, to help dilute it and thin the consistency, suggests Burrell, which will make it easier to use, even on fine hair.

Best for added relaxation: Love Beauty and Planet Hemp Seed Oil Shampoo

A person should always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on how to use a product. Hemp and CBD oil seem to be fairly well-tolerated, but 2020 research advises that scientists conduct further safety studies to back this up. This 33.8-fl oz shampoo and conditioner bundle is available to purchase online for about $22. The website describes the product as vegan-friendly, paraben- and gluten-free, and safe to use on color-treated hair. A 13-fl oz bottle of this product is available to purchase online for about $12.

A quick look at hemp seed oil products for hair

If you have oily hair, consider this triangular-shaped bar, which uses ingredients like charcoal to detoxify the scalp, reduce excess oil, strengthen hair and maintain scalp health, according to Superzero. It also comes with its own bag for any broken pieces (continued use will eventually cause it to break), so you don’t waste any product, according to the brand. This bar is also highly rated, with a 4.8-star average rating from over 270 reviews at Superzero. Some of the alleged benefits of hemp seed oil for hair may be due to its positive effects on the skin, including the scalp. If you don’t have the patience to leave it overnight—or your scalp tends to be oil-prone—try hair oiling as a pre-shampoo treatment. Simply leave your hair oil on for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour, before shampooing and conditioning your hair as usual.

Best Castor Oils for Hair Growth, According to Dermatologists

Once opened, castor oil will start to go rancid after about one year. Castor oil coats the hair shaft and keeps external moisture out, which is key to reducing frizz. At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

But if your hair is a medium-to-thick texture, you can massage castor oil into your roots and smooth it through your ends, leaving it on for up to an hour (or overnight) before rinsing. Hill also suggests sitting under a bonnet hair-dryer to help the oil better penetrate your hair. To set the record we straight– and manage expectations of the alleged miracle worker– we spoke to three experts about its hair growth potential and what we should be wary of. Below, find insights from a hair expert, cosmetic chemist, and board-certified dermatologist, and learn everything there is to know about using castor oil for your hair.

How to Use Castor Oil to Promote Healthy Hair

Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties make it a natural remedy for arthritis, rheumatism, and other inflammatory conditions. When applied topically, castor oil can help to reduce pain and swelling, providing relief for aching joints and muscles. 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.

Castor Oil Side Effects

“The oil should be delicately applied to dry hair and scalp using gentle, circular motions,” she says. You can also use a silicone scalp massager to really get in there if you're averse to digging your fingers into your scalp (and it helps me prevent from scratching with my long, gel-X nails). Then, gently massage into the scalp for 10 to 15 minutes in circular motions before smoothing through the lengths of your hair. 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.

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. If you’re considering applying pure castor oil to your eyebrows and eyelashes, Dr. Green advises using caution when applying it to delicate areas such as your eyes. If you’re set on using the oil in any of these areas, a cotton swab is an easy way to control the amount. Hair loss is a very complex condition that can be caused by a myriad of things.

Castor Oil Benefits: Does It Work For Skin, Hair or Digestion? - TODAY

Castor Oil Benefits: Does It Work For Skin, Hair or Digestion?.

Posted: Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Best for preventing damage: Urban Hydration Rose & Hemp Bundle

Applying a solid shampoo isn’t much different from using a regular shampoo, according to our experts. First, ensure your hair is very wet before applying the product, and you’ll need to wet the bar as well. Then, either rub the bar directly onto your hair or lather it in your hands. Make sure the shampoo is really well distributed, and then rinse thoroughly, says Jordan. Their intensive moisturizing capability also allows them to repair damaged hair. The manufacturer designed this conditioner to prevent breakage in dry hair.

For this reason, experts recommend a patch test before applying castor oil to the hair or scalp. Castor oil may also worsen scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (a form of eczema on the scalp), Dr. Garshick warns. According to the product developer, the largest difference between the two types of castor oil is just how they’re processed. “There are differences in color and composition that result from the different processing methods (weight, color, scent), but in terms of benefits for the hair and scalp, the nutritional factors do not differ greatly,” she says.

Castor oil should not cause these side effects when applied to your hair. However, you'll want to ensure you or others in your home do not accidentally swallow the castor oil. If the skin around your eyes and brows gets irritated, wash the castor oil off right away.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, Dr. Clay recommends avoiding the scalp because “it may lead to occlusion of the scalp pores and hair follicles which could lead to inflammation, dandruff, and itching,” she says. “I’d suggest using it on washed and conditioned hair that is still damp; you want to seal that moisture in before styling and apply heat,” Dr. Clay notes. Then, apply a small amount of castor oil to your hair by rubbing it together in your hands and distributing it evenly over the ends of your hair. Adding it to your ends will help lock in hydration and shine that you might otherwise be missing.