One of the products that has become a mainstay in natural haircare is castor oil. Many believe that the product, which has been around for decades, increases moisture levels, health, and hair growth, but are any of these claims really supported by research? We felt it was time to clear up the misconceptions around castor oil and its many applications since there is so much false information out there. We called upon dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman as well as hair specialists Kim Kimble and Monique Rodriguez for assistance.
Castor Oil: What Is It?
Rich in monounsaturated and ricinoleic fatty acids, castor oil is a viscous, occlusive oil that may help hydrate and nourish hair follicles.1. Even while castor oil has these qualities that make it an excellent tool for preventing breakage and damage to hair, using it by itself is probably not going to turn you into Rapunzel overnight.
“The biggest misconception about castor oil is that it can be used alone to grow longer, thicker, fuller hair,” said Dr. Hartman. “Hair cannot grow on its own with castor oil. It is not supported by any scientific theory or evidence, therefore it is not feasible.”
Castor Oil’s Advantages for Natural Hair
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It turns out that castor oil is a fantastic substance to use on natural hair, and your mother, her mother, and everyone else who came before that were all correct. Kimble is able to confirm this. “I adore it; my grandma introduced it to me. It adds a lot of shine and moisture to your hair. I always advocate for it and even warm the castor oil to provide a hot oil therapy.”
“[Castor oil’s] rich in vitamin E and is known to help strengthen hair,” says Rodriguez. “It ultimately supports longer, stronger, healthier hair.”
For whom is it intended?
Although castor oil has several health benefits, those with coily hair will probably benefit from it the most. “These types tend to have trouble maintaining moisture and are therefore more prone to dryness and breakage,” says Dr. Hartman.
Kimble continues, “Anyone who struggles with undesired frizz can benefit greatly from using castor oil.” She states, “It helps to de-frizz hair,” and that finer hair types might benefit from adding volume. You may use hot oil treatments on straight hair as well. It gives the hair a lot of body and feels much more moisturized and conditioned when you shampoo it softly.” Rodriguez adds that in order to avoid breakage, it’s advisable to concentrate on dry ends while applying it to the hair shaft.
It’s crucial to do a patch test first, however, before immersing 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,” suggests Rodriguez.
When to Stay Away
Even though castor oil has a lot of advantages, not everyone should use it. Kimble advises against using if you have dandruff or excessive sebum production on your scalp. Dr. Hartman concurs: “Those who suffer from an oily scalp, require frequent hair washing to control oiliness, or have seborrheic dermatitis [should avoid].”
How to Apply
It really is up to you. But, since castor oil may be very thick, some individuals choose to combine it with other nourishing oils before putting it on their scalps or hair.
“It’s a carrier oil, so mixing it with lighter oils can help with application,” says Rodriguez. Additionally, you may assist hide its disagreeable smell by combining it with an essential oil. For instance, Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil contains castor oil in addition to a number of essential oils, including coconut, jojoba, tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary, to mention a few. This holy grail of hair oils smells amazing, has the ideal consistency, and is nutrient-rich.” Read more
