Castor oil is a traditional natural hair loss remedy that dates back to ancient Egypt [1]. Along with other oils like rosemary and sweet almond, castor oil has been used to stimulate hair growth for centuries.
Today, using castor oil on your hair is still very popular, particularly in certain communities. But is there any scientific evidence to show that castor oil is good for hair? Current studies suggest that while castor oil does have some promising properties as a hair treatment, there’s limited evidence that it will help with hair loss.
Here, you’ll learn all you need to know about this natural hair treatment, including:
Castor oil is a carrier oil derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant. Famous for its unpleasant flavour and laxative effects, castor oil has also been used as a hair loss remedy.
There is some evidence that castor oil can improve the growth, quality, and condition of your hair [1-3]. But its effectiveness depends on the reason your hair is falling out, and how you apply the oil. Poor application techniques can actually worsen the condition of your hair [4].
In addition, the evidence for using castor oil on hair is mostly theoretical — no human studies have conclusively shown castor oil can stimulate hair regrowth.
In theory, castor oil might help with hair loss. Researchers suggest applying castor oil to the scalp can stimulate blood flow, feeding the follicles with oxygen and essential nutrients for hair growth [1]. In addition, it contains several ingredients that may help you grow thicker hair naturally, including:
There’s no hard evidence to show castor oil actually reduces hair loss in humans — yet. But one animal study found that topical castor oil application may improve hair regeneration and thickness [3]. A lotion containing 35% castor oil was found to make hair grow longer and thicker in more than half of the tested animals.
However, the same study found that a lotion containing 40% castor oil didn’t have the same impact. So using pure castor oil (or even higher concentrations) may not help your hair.
Rosemary oil for hair is a proven natural remedy for male pattern baldness [6-7]. One of the best essential oils for hair growth, rosemary oil blocks DHT production to promote hair regrowth.
No studies have compared rosemary oil with castor oil for hair growth, so it’s unclear which is more effective. But the good news is that rosemary oil is an essential oil, while castor oil is a carrier oil — so you can use castor oil as part of a diluted rosemary oil blend and get the benefits of both. For best results, mix with another carrier oil to reduce the castor oil concentration.
In addition to potential hair growth, castor oil may help your hair by:
Studies also suggest that castor oil is a good hair conditioner for babies with Afro textured hair [1].
In Ayurvedic healthcare, there’s a theory that putting oil in your navel can help stimulate hair growth, as well as giving you several other health benefits. This is known as the Pechoti method [8].
However, no scientific studies currently support the Pechoti method for applying castor oil for hair growth. It’s very unlikely that putting castor oil in your belly button will help your hair grow (or improve your health in any other way).
Certain hair types may respond differently to castor oil application. Let’s take a look at how well castor oil works for different hair types. (Not sure what kind of hair you have? Take our hair type quiz to find out).
Like many other carrier oils — including argan oil for hair and rosehip hair oil — castor oil can help if you have dry, brittle hair.
Castor oil is an emollient, which means it forms a protective barrier on the hair surface to prevent moisture loss. Applying oil to the hair traps moisture within the shafts, keeping your hair hydrated. This can also smooth down any lifted cuticles, making the fibres look and feel sleeker.
However, using too much of any oil can make your hair greasy. You’ll need to wash your hair regularly to remove excess oil buildup from the hair and scalp.
Curly hair is prone to dryness, so castor oil can help if your curly hair feels straw-like or damaged. It’s best to apply castor oil to wet curly hair for more defined, hydrated curls.
Castor oil is a thick oil, so applying too much may weigh down your curls and reduce volume. Start by rubbing a very small amount between your palms then running your hands through wet hair. If this doesn’t seem like enough, you can use more next time.
Yes — researchers claim castor oil is even an effective hair conditioner for babies with Black hair [1].
Many people with Black hair types use Jamaican black castor oil on their hair. This differs from standard cold-pressed castor oil as the castor beans are roasted before the oil is extracted, giving the oil a richer smell and deeper colour.
Scientifically, there doesn’t appear to be any evidence that black castor oil or cold-pressed castor oil is more beneficial for Black hair (or any hair type for that matter). So it’s down to personal preference — the video below details more differences between cold-pressed vs black castor oil:
Castor oil isn’t an ideal treatment for those with low porosity hair. That’s because castor oil is a thick, heavy substance that isn’t easily absorbed by those with lower hair porosity.
Low porosity hair retains moisture easily, so you probably don’t need a heavy-duty emollient like castor oil. Instead, try a lighter humectant like hyaluronic acid for hair to keep your hair hydrated.
Castor oil is generally well-tolerated with few side effects. However, regular or prolonged use can result in skin irritation and/or clogged scalp pores. Castor oil is very thick and builds up quickly, so make sure to wash your hair regularly to remove excess oil and reduce these risks.
While castor oil is usually safe if used in moderation, some studies have highlighted a link between castor oil and hair felting, or matting [4].
Castor oil has a thick, sticky consistency. When applied through the lengths of the hair, this viscosity can make the hair clump together. Washing the hair with warm water then seals these clumps, causing extreme matting or felting.
To avoid this, use conditioner or a clarifying shampoo to deep clean your hair after applying castor oil.
Alternatively, use a different hair growth oil with fewer risks, such as coconut oil or olive oil for hair.
Now you know the potential risks and rewards of using castor oil for hair, learn how to use it to improve hair growth and thickness:
Follow these guidelines to get the best results when applying castor oil for hair growth:
At the moment, castor oil’s hair benefits are only theoretical — many other non-surgical hair loss treatments have a far more substantial body of evidence to back up their use. These include:
With so many hair regrowth treatments available, it can be hard to know where to start. For best results, speak to a trichologist at one of the UK’s best hair transplant clinics. Our team of specialists can help you create a personalised hair loss treatment plan for women or tailored hair loss plan for men.
Book a consultation with our team to get started.
Find out more about using castor oil on your hair in these frequently asked questions.
Yes, it’s normally safe to apply castor oil directly to your hair. However, you may find it tricky to apply in this state. Consider heating the oil or mixing it with another, less sticky oil to make it easier to apply.
Yes, it can be tough to remove castor oil from your hair, especially if you’ve left it on for a while or used it several times without washing in-between.
Make castor oil easier to remove by mixing it with a thinner oil (such as argan, coconut, or olive oil) and using a good clarifying shampoo to wash your hair.
Castor oil is one of the most popular hair oils because it’s cheaper than many other carrier oils [1]. However, while it costs less, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Unless your hair is extremely dry and loses moisture easily, another carrier oil may be more appropriate.
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