Argan oil, coconut oil, kukui seed oil... We're pretty much spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing between the perfect hair oil to keep our lengths soft, nourished and manageable. Frizz and flyaways? No thanks.
But it looks like more of us (40% more according to Google Trends) are being swayed by the benefits of castor oil - and with heaps of claims that it has the ability to strengthen, glossify and make hair grow faster, it sounds pretty ideal, right?
Here's what you need to know about the benefits of castor oil for hair.
What Is Castor Oil And Where Does It Come From?
Before we get to the good bit, it pays to know your stuff.
'Castor oil is obtained by the crushing and pressing of castor seeds,' explains stylist and founder of My Hair Doctor, Guy Parsons. 'It is an essential amino acid (Ricinoleic Acid, to be exact) and is rich in Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids. Years ago, kids growing up would have probably had a spoonful or two of castor oil when they didn't feel well,' he laughs, 'but it actually has many amazing properties for hair.'
Try... Pukka Castor Oil, £9.99 SHOP NOW
What Are The Benefits Of Using Castor Oil For Hair?
Shampoo-ad shine? Tick. Parched ends? See ya.
'Castor, like many other natural oils, will act to trap moisture in the hair, smoothing the cuticle,' explains Zoë Passam, Trichologist at Philip Kingsley, which makes it the perfect ingredient for those with excessively frizzy, coarse or curly hair, as it typically lacks moisture.
'It's moisturising properties will also significantly help surface shine,' adds Zoë, but that's not all.
'Castor oil also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties,' says Guy, 'so it's good for scalp maintenance and balance. As well as this, it could play a part in improving blood flow and blood circulation in and at the scalp,' he adds, and a healthy scalp = healthy hair.
Will Castor Oil Make Hair Grow Faster?
'If you have difficulty growing your hair long due to the hair breaking when it reaches a certain length, applying something like castor oil to improve the condition may allow the hair to grow longer without snapping,' says Zoë, but what's the catch?
'Castor oil cannot, however, make hair grow she adds. 'It doesn't really have any effect on the actual growth in the follicle.'
Got it.
How To Use Castor Oil For Hair
Still intrigued? Here's how to incorporate castor oil into your hair-care regime for strong, smooth and glossy lengths.
'I'd suggest using castor oil in minute quantities,' says Guy, 'and if you use it neat beware, as it is very difficult to rinse out of the hair and remove from the scalp.'
Instead of applying castor oil all over, massage it into the mid lengths to ends, where hair tends to be drier and more prone to breakage and split ends.
'To avoid making your hair feel coated and weighed down, fuse castor oil with other ingredients,' adds Zoë. 'Castor oil would be more suitable combined into an emulsion, in combination with oils that are more penetrating, such as olive oil and almond oil.'
But remember - 'With hair masks like these, it is important to wet the hair first, as the mask will help trap the moisture within the hair,' she advises.
Don't fancy applying it neat? Here are 5 of the best hair products that harness castor oil:
- Klorane Mango Leave In Creme, £12 SHOP NOW
Applied to towel-dried strands, this banishes frizzy bits, smooths fuzzy ends and makes hair insanely soft. It's brilliant for thick hair types.
- Philip Kingsley Swimcap, £19 SHOP NOW
Compatible with all hair types, Philip Kingsley's Swimcap harnesses castor oil, olive oil and vitamin E to shield hair against the drying effects of chlorine, salt and UV without ever making it feel greasy.
- Briogeo B.Well Organic + Cold Pressed 100% Castor Oil - £26 SHOP NOW
This luxe oil can be applied on damaged ends to replenish and hydrate, and even applied to eyebrows or eyelashes for the ultimate reviving treatment.
- My Hair Doctor Volume-ise Growth Boost, £22 SHOP NOW
Active ingredients like niacinamide and creatine fortify fragile hair from the inside out, while castor oil provides a surge of moisture to banish brittleness.
- Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment, £30 SHOP NOW
Combining castor, jojoba and meadow foam seed oils, this strengthening hair mask hydrates even the driest of hair types whilst smoothing its surface.
How To Use Castor Oil On Your Eyelashes And Eyebrows
Castor oil isn't just great for keeping the hair on your head in tip top condition. It's also beneficial for your eyelashes and eyebrows, keeping them soft and conditioned, which means they'll be less prone to brittleness and inevitably breakage.
'Castor Oil is very nutritious and packed full of ingredients that nourish the lashes and promote natural lash growth including fatty acids, antioxidants and proteins to strengthen and create a naturally full lash line,' explains bareMinerals' International Education Director Lee Etheridge.
So, how do you apply it?
'To fully coat the lash, I would recommend to apply the castor oil with a mascara wand,' says The Eyelash Emporium’s Lead Lash Technician, Joanne McGovern. 'Sweep through the brows and lashes before you go to sleep. This will help to nourish the eyes, lashes and brow hairs.'
Or you could always try...
- bareMinerals' Lashtopia Mega-Volume Mineral Based Mascara, £21 SHOP NOW
This brand spanking new mascara is formulated with castor seed oil to stop lashes from feeling dry, crispy and uncomfortable, even after hours of wear. It thickens and lengthens in one swipe. We love.
- Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows, £18.50 SHOP NOW
Super-fine pigments suspended in this nourishing brow gel cling to existing hairs and beef up scant-looking brows, while the added castor oil grooms and softens without stickiness.
ELLE Edit: 15 Of The Best Dry Shampoos For The Warm Days Of Summer
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo
A transparent formula loaded with rice protein to strengthen damaged hair while vitamin E brings extra nourishment. It adds extra body and undone, beachy texture to limp locks, too.
Drybar Detox Clear Invisible Dry Shampoo
This perfectly clear dry shampoo refreshes greasy hair with minimal product build-up on the scalp. It doesn't weigh down fine hair and you'll find no tell-tale signs of white powder thanks to the invisible formula. The coconutty, vanilla scent is delicious, too.
Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
Everything Olaplex does is designed to be kind on very damaged strands, and this dry shampoo is no exception. Along with rice starch to absorb excess sebum, it also contains the brand's patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate to leave hair feeling healthier. We love how it creates just enough texture for that tousled, French-girl look.
Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Dry Shampoo Powder
Aside from taking care of greasy roots and zhooshing flat-looking hair, this lightweight Oribe powder also contains mango leaf extracts to help maintain a healthy scalp microbiome along with glycerin and olive oil to restore hydration. Plus, the petite packaging is great for throwing into your handbag.
Amika Perk Up Plus Dry Shampoo
Lazy gals, listen up. This hard-hitting dry shampoo promises to refresh not just second and third day hair, but even fifth day locks and beyond. The clever formula, which contains mandelic acid and antioxidants to tackle unwanted odour and the effects of pollution respectively, revives unwashed hair without making the scalp feel heavy with product and it leaves no dusty residue behind. One to pack for all your summer festivals.
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Length No Wash Air Volume Cleansing Dry Shampoo
Yes, this dry shampoo ticks all the boxes when it comes to sorting out greasy hair. But more than that, it works as a 'style extender' to make sure your blowout stays bouncy fresh for days on end.
Arkive The Reset
Trust hairstylist Adam Reed to formulate a dry shampoo that not only effectively takes care of excess oils, but does so without completely stripping away essential moisture and imparts an uplifting green scent of tomato leaves and bright rhubarb.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
Can you improve on perfection? Living Proof certainly did. We loved the brand's original dry shampoo, but this latest version exceeds expectations by eliminating excess oils, sweat and grime all while promising noticeably softer strands. Our gym bags are never without one.
Violette_FR Frange Puff - £39
NGL, make-up artist Violette Serrat (better known as @violette_fr) has graced many of our beauty moodboards. She created this handy dry shampoo with a removable, washable brush to refresh her perfectly-imperfect French Girl hair on the go. Dust gently on the roots for a quick refresh or to perk up a lacklustre fringe. It's refillable too.
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Dry Shampoo
If your scalp's feeling itchy, flaky, or just generally unhappy, a spritz of this skin-caring formula will help calm things down. It's packed with aloe vera to soothe itching and zinc to target dandruff-causing bacteria.
Ouai Super Dry Shampoo
This volcanic mineral and rice starch-infused dry shampoo is a dream for oily hair as it absorbs excess sebum without leaving your hair dusty and white. Formulated by A-list hair stylist Jen Atkin, you know you're in good hands.
Bouclème Root Refresh
Specially formulated for locs, protective braids, curls and coils, this gentle formula not only keeps your style feeling fresh, it also boosts hydration thanks to aloe juice, honey and plant extracts. There are probiotics in here to calm any scalp irritation too.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
This classic French pharmacy staple absorbs excess oils and product build up whilst moisturising parched hair with oat milk extract.
Hair by Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo
When backstage legend and hair maestro Sam McKnight creates a dry shampoo, you know it's going to be good. An ultra lightweight spray, this gives any lank looking 'do a second day overhaul.
Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
The first and (still) the best, you can't go wrong with Batiste's Original dry shampoo, and less than a fiver a pop, it's a bargain.
