Castor oil is one of those ingredients that has become a staple in natural haircare. The product has been used for decades and people swear that it promotes hair’s growth, health, and moisture levels — but have any of these claims been proven? With so much misinformation out there, we thought it was about time to set the record straight on castor oil and its many uses. To help us out, we tapped dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman and hair experts Kim Kimble and Monique Rodriguez.
From its purported benefits to potential side effects, keep reading for our complete guide to castor oil for natural hair.
What Is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is a thick, occlusive oil, rich in both ricinoleic and monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help moisturize the hair follicle and promote hydration. But while these properties make castor oil a great tool for preventing hair damage and breakage, when used on its own, the ingredient probably won’t transform you into Rapunzel overnight.
“The biggest misconception about castor oil is that it can be used alone to grow longer, thicker, fuller hair,” says Dr. Hartman. “Castor oil alone will not grow hair. There is no evidence for it and no scientific theory supporting that it would work.”
The Benefits of Castor Oil for Natural Hair
Turns out your mother, her mother, and anyone else who came before that was right: Castor oil is a great ingredient to use on natural hair. And Kimble can attest to this. “My grandmother started it on me — I love it. It’s highly moisturizing and gives your hair a lot of shine. I always recommend it and even heat up the castor oil to make it a hot oil treatment.”
“[Castor oil’s] rich in vitamin E and is known to help strengthen hair,” adds Rodriguez. “It ultimately supports longer, stronger, healthier hair.”
Who It’s For
While castor oil is an ingredient that is universally beneficial, those with coily hair will likely reap the most rewards. “These types tend to have trouble maintaining moisture and are therefore more prone to dryness and breakage,” explains Dr. Hartman.
Kimble adds that castor oil is also great for anyone struggling with unwanted frizz. “It helps to de-frizz hair,” she says, adding that it can also add volume to finer hair types. “Hot oil treatments will even work on straight hair. Shampoo it lightly and it gives the hair a lot of body and feels much more hydrated and conditioned.” Rodriguez also shares that when using it on the hair shaft, it’s best to focus on dry ends to prevent breakage.
However, it’s important to do a patch test before soaking your whole head of hair in castor oil. “As with any product you apply to your hair, you should test it to make sure it’s suitable for your hair’s density and strand size,” advises Rodriguez.
When to Avoid
Despite castor oil’s many benefits, it’s not exactly a fit for everyone. Kimble notes that anyone with certain scalp conditions like dandruff or excessive sebum production should avoid use. Dr. Hartman agrees: “Those who suffer from an oily scalp, require frequent hair washing to control oiliness, or have seborrheic dermatitis [should avoid].”
How to Use
Honestly, it’s up to you. However, seeing as it can be quite thick, some people prefer to mix castor oil with other nourishing oils before applying it to the hair or scalp.
“It’s a carrier oil, so mixing it with lighter oils can help with application,” explains Rodriguez. “Plus, using it with an essential oil can help mask its unpleasant scent. For example, Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil has castor oil but also includes several essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, jojoba, and coconut, to name a few. This holy grail of hair oils is power-packed with nutrients, has the perfect consistency, and smells awesome.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it safe to apply castor oil to the scalp?
Yes. “It can and should be applied to the scalp,” Dr. Hartman shares. “[Castor oil] increases blood flow to the scalp, which promotes healthier hair. It can also moisturize a dry, irritated scalp.”
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How often should you apply castor oil to natural hair?
The consensus here is once a week, because more than that may cause too much build up — which can be bad for scalp health.
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How long should you leave castor oil in your hair?
Most experts agree that you need to leave castor oil in your hair for at least 20 minutes so that you can see results. That said, you don’t want to leave it in your hair for too long so as to prevent oil or sebum buildup. Ideally, you want to wash it about 30 minutes after you apply it.
