Once you find out what castor oil can do, you’ll be obsessed. Where once it lurked at the back of your grandmother’s kitchen cupboard, now it sits on the glass countertops of celebrities like Khloé Kardashian, Charlize Theron and Huda Kattan.
There are dozens of castor oil uses when it comes to improving your skin, hair and nails. In fact, we think it’s one of the most underrated beauty powerhouse products! From luscious lashes and bushy brows to silky hair, we show you exactly why castor oil is a natural beauty must-have...
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is one of those rare natural products which has been a favourite for centuries. Even the ancient Egyptians used it! Castor oil is made by cold pressing seeds from the castor bean (Ricinus communis). You can find it in soaps, cosmetics, and a variety of other common everyday products.
Castor oil is a source of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid which is excellent at moisturising the skin. Unlike other oils, castor is a ‘humectant’, meaning it draws moisture into the skin to improve hydration.
It is anti-inflammatory and also has antifungal properties, making it a great cure-all product to keep on hand for common ailments. As with all natural beauty products, pure organic castor oil is some of the best to use due to the quality of the raw materials.
Top 5 castor oil uses
Before you delve in and begin enjoying all these castor oil uses, it’s important to do a patch test on your skin and scalp. Although castor oil is a natural product, it still may not be suitable for everyone — pregnant women are advised to steer clear and dandruff sufferers should avoid use on the hair.
Brows
Big, natural brows are en vogue and have been for a while. If you weren’t blessed with naturally plush brows, you can follow Khloé Kardashian’s lead and use castor oil to encourage regrowth. Castor oil is rich in Vitamin E, omega-6, and ricinoleic fatty acids, which contribute toward blood circulation on the skin’s surface to stimulate hair growth.
Lashes
Brows aren’t the only facial feature which can be restored and renewed by castor oil.
Many people believe that castor oil has helped increase the density and the length of their eyelashes.
Always remember to use caution when applying anything to your eye area! Dr. Nikki Hill (certified trichologist) told Elle: “There is no safety data about castor oil and eye health, so I would be cautious and speak with an ophthalmologist about applying castor oil in close proximity to the eye.”
Skin moisturising
You can use castor oil for face treatments, too. Its humectant properties help restore moisture to dry areas on your face, elbow and knees. Simply pat a few drops into skin after you’ve moisturised or mix with your favourite face cream.
Hair
Charlize Theron uses castor oil to thicken her hair and has been a fan for a while. “Someone told me about it. I put it on my brows and scalp once or twice a week. It’s definitely made my hair thicker,” she told Harper’s Bazaar U.S.
If you have medium or thick hair, you can use castor oil over your entire head as a pre-shampoo treatment. If your hair is fine, apply to the very tips to avoid weighing your hair down. You can also use castor oil on finished hairstyles to help smooth strands and prevent flyaways.
Cuticles
The fatty acids in castor oil could be what you need to nourish and strengthen your cuticles and nails. To get the full benefit, rub a generous amount of oil into your cuticles and nails before bed, then apply gloves before you go to sleep.
Do you have some castor oil uses in mind? Pick up a pure organic castor oil from our collection and start treating yourself to a purer beauty experience.