Natural hair care products are all the rage these days, and more and more people are singing the praises of castor oil, a popular home remedy that can be a fantastic treatment for dull, breakage-prone hair.
Castor oil is made by crushing and pressing castor seeds. The oil is rich in both omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, and it also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why it used to be a go-to treatment when kids were feeling sick—but today, you’re more likely to find it in someone’s beauty collection than the medicine cabinet.
So, how does castor oil work? This oil traps moisture in each strand of hair, which makes it especially useful for people with frizzy hair that has been damaged due to heat treatments. No matter what your hair texture is like, it will give you a little more shine because of the extra moisture. Massaging it into your scalp can also help increase blood flow to the area, which promotes healthy hair growth.
While castor oil doesn’t technically make hair grow faster, it does prevent breakage and split ends. So if you find yourself running to the salon every couple of months to get a trim because your split ends are too noticeable, but you wish you could let your hair grow out longer, castor oil might just be a miracle cure for your hair woes.
How can you use castor oil properly to get the best results? Only use a small amount each time, and combine it with another oil like almond or olive—it can be tough to get it out if you use it by itself! Apply the mixture from the mid-length of your hair to the ends if you want to prevent splitting and breakage. If you don’t want to make your own hair mask, you can find shampoos, conditioners, creams, and serums at your local drugstore or salon that already contain castor oil. And if you’re looking to plump up your eyelashes or brows, you can use a mascara brush to apply a bit of castor oil while you sleep, or choose a mascara and brow gel that contain castor oil.
Do you use any other amazing DIY hair care recipes? Have you ever tried using castor oil for shinier hair? Let us know in the comments!
Jane is a freelance writer who loves blogging about health, wellness, and sustainability. When she's not writing, you can find her with her nose in a book or volunteering at her local animal shelter. You can also check her out on Twitter at @jharknesswrites.
