For years, the beauty industry has collectively touted the benefits of drenching our strands in basically every kind of oil you can think of. Coconut, olive, black seed (Kim Kardashian West's personal favorite), jojoba, and even more delicate essential oil offerings like rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood have all been praised. But there's another oil that's been raising an eyebrow for being a life-changing hair growth oil: castor oil. Show
Many people (Byrdie editors included) have experienced impressive results after applying castor oil to their brows with the goal of increasing hair growth. Naturally, this bodes the question: Shouldn't the age-old remedy work the same type of magic on the tops of our heads? Here at Byrdie, it's our job to take hair health and our never-ending quest for luminous, shiny strands seriously. So we wanted to dig a little deeper into this hair growth oil and all its glossy potential. To help us out, we turned to experts for some answers to the question: is castor oil truly effective for hair growth? Meet the Expert
Keep reading to learn more about castor oil's benefits for hair. What is Castor Oil?Castor oil is a nutrient-dense oil extracted from castor beans. It has many medicinal, household, and pharmaceutical uses, and is also widely used in skincare and cosmetics for its potential healing properties. Castor Oil
Benefits of Castor Oil for HairDora Lazarevic / EyeEm / Getty Images Castor oil has been claimed to have a slew of benefits including strengthening strands, promoting hair growth, and nourishing dry scalp. And while the oil itself likely can't make the hair grow, it's loved for its ability to create a healthier environment on the scalp that makes for way better hair growth.
Hair Type ConsiderationsCastor oil is best used on those with dry or flaky scalps and brittle hair (it is an oil, so it might be overkill for use on those who already have oily hair). There's also anecdotal evidence to suggest it can be effective on the eyelashes and eyebrows. Nazarian says that while the oil is a known irritant for many, strategically applying a very small amount to eyelashes or eyebrows may help induce regrowth through a specific, localized region. If you're concerned about getting an allergic reaction, do a test patch on a small area of your skin before applying it to these sensitive areas. How to Use Castor Oil for HairLyuba Burakova / Stocksy
How to Use Castor Oil on Eyebrows and LashesMany swear by using castor oil on brows and lashes to reap the same benefits as those outlined here.
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