"For the last few years, coconut oil has been all the rage, and it quickly became a staple product for everyone to have at home for DIY beauty remedies. Take one look at Pinterest and you will quickly see how coconut oil has taken over the masking, moisturizing, and hair care world, but there is one oil that is often overlooked! Castor oil is a natural seed-pressed oil that’s going viral on TikTok and beyond for improving hair and eyelash growth. Here’s what you need to know and how to use it:
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What is Castor Oil?
Obtained from the ricinus communis plant, castor seed oil primarily contains oils of fatty acids. An approximate ninety percent of the fatty acids that are found in castor oil are that of ricinoleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats are used in beauty products to help maintain moisture levels in the skin, producing plump, softened, and lubricated skin cells. Castor oil maintains its fluidity level at very high and low temperatures, making it a stable ingredient for many skin care uses.
Benefits of Castor Oil
Hair Growth
The number one reason I got so interested in castor oil to begin with was because of the way it increases circulation in the scalp to promote hair growth. I try to find any kind of new way to not only get silky shiny hair, but to also help it grow in a healthy way, and castor oil has been my holy grail! Use castor oil as a hair mask by warming it up with hands and giving yourself a concentrated scalp massage. Also make sure to run the oil through ends to also help heal split ends. Leave in for at least an hour, and for maximum growth, shine, and split end benefits, leave in overnight and wash out in the morning!
With continued use, you’ll see a huge improvement in the strength, length, and shine of your hair! Try Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Smoothie, 11 fl oz, $12.99 by applying to hair and leaving in overnight for a mask, or you can use daily as a curl defining styler leave-in treatment.
Dandruff
Since castor oil is packed with fatty acids that help nourish hair, it is the perfect remedy to relieve your scalp from the itchiness of dandruff and dry scalp. The fatty acids, specifically undecylenic acid, in castor oil are also known for their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral benefits that will help clear your scalp of any dandruff or drying skin conditions that continue to be an annoyance. Just use as a hair mask like mentioned above and watch as the dandruff snowflakes that were once hitting your shoulders disappear!
Thickens Hair
Castor oil contains omega-6 fatty acids which help stimulate hair growth and omega-9 fatty acids which help control water loss in hair and makes hair more pliable. By using a hair mask that contains castor oil on a regular basis, you can nourish your hair follicles to produce stronger, thicker hair.
Thickens Brows
Just like you can use castor oil on your scalp to help stimulate growth and condition your hair, you can also you it on your brows to do the same! Just use a disposable mascara wand (you can find these in bundles on Amazon) and load it up with castor oil. Then brush on every night to help condition and thicken the hair for fuller, healthier brows!
Prevents and Reduces The Appearance of Stretch Marks
The omega-3 fatty acids that are found in castor oil can help reduce pigmentation left from stretch marks by stimulating the growth of healthy tissue in the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids also help minimize inflammation that is associated with damage from stretch marks. You can apply castor oil straight onto the problematic area, or you can mix it in with your favorite body moisturizer!
Chapped Lips/Cracked Heels
During the winter months, dry air can wreak havoc on our bodies, leaving our skin moistureless and cracked. Chapped lips and cracked heels may not be a problem for you, but when your skin decides to curse you with these problems, it’s sometimes hard to find the right products to fix them. Rubbing castor oil on your lips and letting it soak in before applying a lip balm will give the added benefit of soothing and conditioning chapped lips. You can also rub castor oil on your feet, concentrating on your heels, before applying socks at bedtime to wake up to smooth, soft, and healed feet! Try Love + Sage’s Beach Rose Lip Balm, 0.15 oz, $12.00 for a lightly tinted lip balm that has castor oil and a natural UV protection!
Dry Hands/Cuticle Cream
Castor oil contains Vitamin E, which is known to help promote smoother, conditioned skin. Applying this to dry hands will alleviate you from tight, scaly skin. You can also concentrate it on your fingernail beds to soften cuticles! Try Maapilim’s Hand Cream, 3.7 fl oz, $27 for a hand cream that already has the additive benefit of castor oil.
Have you tried Castor Oil for any beauty DIYs? What are your favorites?
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