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Of course, that also means it may be overstimulating for those with sensitive skin or scalp and should be used accordingly. That’s why we've created this carefully curated guide to using cedarwood oil. Here, we share intel from experts around why it may be a truly transformative ingredient when it comes to stellar scalp health and healthy hair growth. If you're using castor oil as a leave-in treatment, Dr. Clay recommends warming a small amount of the oil between your palms and smoothing it along the ends of your hair on a weekly basis. “Castor oil helps nourish hair, leaving strands feeling and looking stronger and healthier,” Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC and New Jersey, adds.
What is the best type of castor oil to use?
Sometimes you can’t beat castor oil in its purest form, which is where Nature Spell’s oil comes into play! This bargain bottle will contain all of the goodness you need in its purest form. We recommend using small amounts to reap the benefits without weighing hair down. Discovering the right kind of oil for your haircan be an absolute minefield, but if your locks are after some extra nourishment and moisture then castor oil for hair may be the answer. Despite evidence being lacking when it comes to castor oil, there are plenty of other things you can do to help your hair grow and reduce thinning.
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Castor oil for hair growth—does it work?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from castor beans that’s usually colorless, but can also be yellow or deep brown, depending on how it’s made. Jamaican black castor oil is one of the more popular variations and has a thicker consistency, due to the fact that it’s boiled with ash, giving it a warm, roasted scent. There's also anecdotal evidence to suggest it can be effective on the eyelashes and eyebrows.
Applying Castor Oil to Eyebrows and Eyelashes
The Only Things That Will Make Your Hair Grow Faster, By A Scalp Expert - Refinery29
The Only Things That Will Make Your Hair Grow Faster, By A Scalp Expert.
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Simply put, fatty acids are excellent at nourishing hair follicles. The outer layer of the hair shaft is covered in tessellating, scale-like structures called cuticles, and when the hair is damaged, those become flayed and flared, resulting in frizz and dullness. Castor oil, however, "can seal and allow the cuticle to lie flatter," according to Clay, resulting in better shine and decreased frizz. There are tons of ways to use it—Kohatsu says it can operate like a cleansing oil for hair, prevent moisture loss or color fade, and improve hair quality naturally by being antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. “When we were in the beginning stages of formulating a new haircare collection, we wanted a main ingredient that really did everything,” Terry adds. “This oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help prevent dandruff (which is so helpful in colder months) and scalp infections."
Dr Raja tells us if you do want to try using castor oil for hair, you would just need to rub a few drops into your scalp and you could try massaging a few drops into the ends of the hair to protect against breakage. “I wouldn’t recommend using it more than once a week because it can cause a build-up of oil," he says. Slowly but surely, castor oil is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Meet the Experts
Though castor-oil fans claim it can “stimulate” your hair follicles and “increase hair growth,” there are no studies or scientific evidence proving that castor oil will help your hair grow, notes Hill. TBH, no topical product alone can make your hair grow faster or prevent hair loss—only your hormones, genetics, health, and age can do that, explains Hill. Which is why “hair growth requires a comprehensive approach,” including healthy hair and scalp habits. Olive oil contains a high proportion of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids that may protect the hair moisture barrier and seal the moisture. In a study on telogenic mouse skin, topical administration of 0.4 mg olive oil resulted in anagenic hair growth (an active growth phase of hair follicles) (9).

"There is some proposed benefit of castor oil with improving penetration of topicals and even hair growth," he says. “It is thought to stimulate hair growth by maintaining hydrated hair with sealed cuticles (the outer layer of the hair follicle, which holds in moisture),” she explains. "Also, because it increases blood flow to the scalp, more nutrients are being delivered to the scalp circulation."
What can you do to help hair grow?
Therefore, it is important to perform a patch test before applying it to your scalp. “Apply a small amount behind the ear or the inner upper arm for a week,” says Dr. Hill. If split ends are a hair concern, she recommends applying it on ends as the last step of the styling process to smooth cuticles and prevent splits from continuing higher up on strands.
Pairing it with other oils, like almond oil, can help solve this issue. From one of the most beloved brands in haircare comes a wholly organic and cold-pressed castor oil to promote hair, scalp, skin, and brow health. There is no evidence that castor oil applied to the scalp or hair will directly help increase hair growth, says Kunin. Rather, castor oil can indirectly assist in hair growth, says Gaunitz.
She regularly tests and analyzes hair products for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top trichologists and hairstylists to assess new formulas and brands. Castor oil can also potentially make your hair look drier if it’s already lacking moisture, because it seals off extra hydration from penetrating your hair, explains Hill. So to prevent accidental dryness, make sure to hydrate your hair with a routine filled with other moisturizers, like shea butter, glycerin, and panthenol before you add castor oil. You can also incorporate castor oil into your routine with a deep conditioner (whether a formula made with castor oil, or by adding a few drops to your favorite) to keep your hair from looking dried out. The only potential disadvantage of using castor oil for hair growth is that it is so heavy that it can be difficult to wash out of your scalp, potentially causing buildup, acne, and overall a greasy scalp, notes Dr. Cheung. Some people claim castor oil's benefits for hair are related to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Check out the infographic below to learn how castor can improve your health. So let’s find out if this oil goes bad or not in the following section. The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service, Full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosure, and Comment Policy. Displayed ads do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by Wellness Mama.