Castor oil is a thick oil pressed from castor beans that people use on hair, brows, edges and dry skin. It comes as a pale cold-pressed oil or as dark Haitian black castor oil. There is no good evidence it makes hair grow, but it can condition and moisturize, and swallowing it acts as a strong laxative.
If you’ve spent any time in Nicholas Brooklyn, you’ve heard me talk about castor oil. People ask for it every day: for hair, for brows, for dry skin, and about castor oil packs they keep hearing about online. It isn’t a new trend. Households have used it for generations. Here is what I tell customers, and what I checked before writing it down.
Black Castor Oil vs. Regular Castor Oil
The difference is mostly how the beans are processed.
| Black castor oil (Haitian style) | Regular castor oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Beans | Roasted | Not roasted |
| Color and smell | Dark brown, a roasted scent | Pale, mild |
| What we carry | Haitian Black Castor Oil 4oz, Heritage Store Black Castor Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil Soap | Heritage Store Castor Oil (labeled 100% cold-pressed), NOW Castor Oil (labeled expeller-pressed) |
Cold-pressed and expeller-pressed both mean the oil is pressed out of the seeds rather than pulled out with a solvent. Brand details are on the label, so read it. Neither style is necessarily better, and it comes down to the feel you like. See everything we stock on our black castor oil page.
Does Castor Oil Make Hair Grow?
This is the number one reason people buy it, so I’ll be direct: there is no good evidence that it does. Dr. Kevin Hopkins, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, says there is no data to show that applying pure castor oil to your hair promotes growth. No oil makes hair grow overnight. Hair depends on genetics, nutrition, stress and overall health.
What castor oil can do is coat the hair, add shine and help with dryness, so hair may feel smoother and look fuller for a while. That is a real benefit, but it is not growth. If you are losing hair and don’t know why, see a doctor or dermatologist.
How to Use Castor Oil
- Start small. A few drops is plenty. Warm them in your hands first.
- Try a small spot first. I always suggest testing a little on your inner arm before using a new oil on your face or scalp.
- Mix it. It is very thick, so many people blend it with jojoba, sweet almond or coconut oil.
- Brows and edges. Many people apply a small amount at night with a clean brush or fingertip. Keep it out of your eyes.
- Skin. People like it on elbows, knees, heels and hands. Cleveland Clinic cautions that pure castor oil on the skin can cause irritation and allergic reactions, so use a little and dilute it.
- Don’t overdo it. Too much leaves hair and skin greasy, and heavy oil can clog pores.
Is Castor Oil Safe?
For most people a small amount on skin or hair is fine, but know these before you start:
- Irritation and breakouts. Cleveland Clinic notes castor oil on the hair can clog pores and cause scalp irritation or acne. If your skin reacts, stop.
- Hair felting. Rarely, castor oil on hair has been linked to a scalp problem called acute hair felting, where hair becomes tangled and matted.
- Swallowing it. Taken by mouth, castor oil is a strong stimulant laxative. Common effects are severe cramping and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Don’t take it by mouth without a health care provider’s guidance.
- Pregnancy. Swallowing castor oil during pregnancy may bring on contractions. If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor or midwife first.
- Medication and conditions. Cleveland Clinic lists possible interactions with antibiotics, blood thinners and diuretics. If you take medication or have a medical condition, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
What Are Castor Oil Packs?
A castor oil pack is a cloth placed over an area of the body after being saturated with castor oil. People have used packs in traditional wellness practices for generations, and many use them today for self-care and relaxation. I won’t make health promises about them, because I can’t back those up. If you have specific health concerns, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Common Castor Oil Myths
Castor oil makes hair grow overnight. No. Healthy hair takes time and consistency.
More is better. No. A little goes a long way.
All castor oil is the same. Not exactly. Roasted or not, how it’s pressed and who made it all vary. Read the label.
Natural means harmless. Not always. Castor oil can irritate skin, and it is a strong laxative if swallowed.
Visit Nicholas Brooklyn
Come see us at 1396 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and we’ll answer your questions. You can also shop hair care online and we ship nationwide. For a lighter daily oil, see my guide to how to use batana oil on locs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is castor oil? Castor oil is a thick oil pressed from the seeds of the castor bean plant. Its main fatty acid is ricinoleic acid. People have used it for generations on hair, brows and dry skin, and the FDA has approved it only as a short-term stimulant laxative.
Is castor oil thick? Yes. Castor oil is much thicker than most oils, so it feels sticky and coats the hair. A few drops go a long way. Many people thin it by blending it with a lighter oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond or coconut, before using it on the scalp or skin.
What is black castor oil? Black castor oil is made from roasted castor beans, which gives it a dark color and a roasted scent. Haitian black castor oil is the best-known style. Regular castor oil is paler and milder. Neither is necessarily better, so choose the one whose feel and smell you like.
How do you use castor oil? Start with a few drops, warm them in your hands and smooth them over dry hair, brows or skin. Because it is thick, many people blend it with a lighter oil. Test a small spot on your inner arm first, keep it out of your eyes, and follow your bottle’s directions.
Does castor oil make hair grow? There is no good evidence that it does. Cleveland Clinic physician Dr. Kevin Hopkins says there is no data showing that applying pure castor oil to your hair promotes growth. It can coat and moisturize hair, which may help it look and feel smoother.
Can I use castor oil every day? There is no standard amount, so follow your bottle’s directions and use as little as you need. It is thick and can leave hair greasy or clog pores. If your scalp or skin gets irritated or breaks out, stop. With a skin or scalp condition, ask a doctor first.
Is castor oil safe? On the skin it can cause irritation or an allergic reaction in some people, so try a small amount first. Swallowed, it acts as a strong laxative and can cause severe cramping and diarrhea. Do not take castor oil by mouth without a health care provider’s guidance.
Is castor oil safe in pregnancy? Swallowing castor oil during pregnancy may bring on contractions, so it is not recommended without your provider’s guidance. If you are pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor or midwife before using castor oil in any way, including on your skin or hair.
What does cold-pressed castor oil mean? Cold-pressed means the seeds are pressed to extract the oil without added heat. Brands that say so on the label are describing how the oil was made. It usually gives a pale, mild oil, unlike the dark, roasted-bean style of Haitian black castor oil.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, “No, Castor Oil Can’t Solve All (or Any) of Your Health Problems”; StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), Castor Oil.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for educational purposes only. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, speak with your doctor or pharmacist before using castor oil.
— Monique Nicholas, Owner