Benefits of Castor Oil

There's been a lot of buzz about castor oil in the beauty world, and it seems to be everywhere. But what does it actually do for you? Read on for the benefits of castor oil for hair, skin, and nails.

What is castor oil?

First off, what is castor oil? Castor oil is made from the Ricinus communis plant’s seeds and has been used for thousands of years, dating back to Ancient Egypt. Castor oil was used for fuel, inducing labor in pregnancy, and to treat eye irritations. Castor oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can help your hair, skin, and nails.

Hair:

• Healthy scalp: Castor oil's antimicrobial and antifungal qualities help maintain a healthy and infection-free scalp. If you have a flaky, itchy, or dry scalp, or your scalp feels tight, inflamed, or congested, these conditions can block hair growth. Castor oil can help soothe irritated scalps and rebalance the skin's microbiome. (See how a scalp facial can help here.)

• Hydration: Castor oil is thick and deeply moisturizing, making it ideal for dry, brittle, or damaged hair. It will deeply nourish and repair your strands. Castor oil also creates a natural seal along the hair shaft.

• Thicker, stronger hair: Castor oil is nutrient-rich, which helps promote healthy hair growth. (Castor oil can't "grow" new hair, but it can help create a supportive environment for healthy hair.) It can help with protein loss, minimize breakage during brushing or styling, and protect your hair from environmental stressors.

• Detangling: If your hair tends to tangle easily or snap when it's brushed, that's a sign that the cuticle isn't sealing properly. Castor oil coats the hair shaft and seals the cuticle, protecting your hair from damage.

How to use castor oil in your daily routine:

• As a scalp treatment: For a dry, itchy scalp, apply castor oil directly to your scalp with your hands or a dropper (or dilute with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba if desired) and massage into your scalp for 5-10 minutes. Leave the castor oil on your scalp for at least 20-30 minutes or overnight and wash out in the morning (sometimes two washes are necessary). Do this once or twice a week, depending on your scalp's needs.

• For hydration: Mix castor oil with other oils like argan, coconut, olive, or jojoba. Apply the oils on your hair mid-shaft to the ends and let it sit for at least 20 minutes or overnight. Rinse out or wash your hair, and repeat once or twice per week.

• To minimize frizz: Rub a few drops of castor oil into your palms and apply to the area(s) of your hair to tame frizz and add shine. A little bit goes a long way, so don't overdo it.

Castor oil is not an overnight miracle, and instead works best when used over time. Don't give up if you don't see dramatic changes right away; look for little signs like less shedding or breakage and softer hair.

Skin:

• Anti-aging: Castor oil's antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles.

• Acne: Castor oil's antimicrobial properties help fight the bacteria that cause acne and lead to breakouts.

• Anti-inflammatory: Castor oil can help reduce redness, swelling, and puffiness. It can also help reduce inflamed pimples and puffy under eyes. Castor oil also reduces the appearance of sunburn and can help stop the skin from peeling.

• Hydration: Castor oil is deeply moisturizing, which helps the skin look young and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Castor oil's fatty acids help maintain good skin health and protect the skin barrier. It's also a common ingredient in many lipsticks and glosses, so if you have dry lips, skip the color and pop some castor oil on before bed to hydrate the delicate skin around your lips.

Castor oil is thick, so dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, olive, or jojoba. Apply it as a face mask and leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse, or leave it on overnight for maximum benefits.

Nails:

• Hydration: Just like with hair and skin, castor oil deeply moisturizes the skin around the nail bed. If you have rough skin, castor oil can soften the skin and improve nail flexibility.

• Hangnail prevention: Using castor oil as a cuticle oil keeps the skin around the nail well hydrated, so you will experience fewer hangnails, tears, and cracks in your nails.

• Antimicrobial: Castor oil is naturally antifungal and antimicrobial, so using it regularly on your nails can help keep them healthy.

• Manicure protection: Help your manicure last with castor oil! Massaging castor oil into your painted (or artificial) nails helps deter dryness and chipping, and can help repair damage from harsh nail polish removers and acrylics. (Want more tips to help your manicure last? Find them here.)

Add castor oil to your daily nail care routine by massaging a drop into your cuticles at least once a day, preferably before bed, but more often if you feel your nails need it. Use it in place of your nightly hand lotion, too, and put some gloves on before bed for extra hydration!

Find a list of Salon Patrice's hair, facial, and nail services here, or call (815) 223-8643 for more information.