Written by Kate Fish
Published on September, 2023
How to use Black Castor Oil
How to use Castor Oil for slow hair growth, over-plucked brows & lashes that need rehab.
Castor Oil or Black Castor Oil has been used since antiquity to help with skin and hair issues. It is even known to help grow hair. But is it true? And if it is true, how long does it take and how do you use it to achieve the best results?
Here is pretty much the same information in video format. Watch, Share and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
Overnight Miracles are Not Common but Strong Results are!
Black Castor Oil actually does not grow hair. So what does it do and why many claim that Black Castor or Castor Oil grows hair? Castor Oil moisturizes, nourishes and protects hair follicles. This allows hair follicles to get stronger. And stronger hair follicles by default result in healthier and faster hair growth. And when hair is not dry and scalp is well conditioned, hair also grows better. So hair growth is a wonderful side effect from other incredible benefits of Castor Oil. Before we get to how to use Castor Oil, let's explore who can benefit from it - what types of hair (and skin) issues does Castor Oil address.
Brittle, dry hair: self-explanatory, do not need to waste 'ink' here. If you have dry hair you will know it. And it often comes with dry itchy scalp, dandruff and split hair ends.
Brows & Lashes in need of rehab: 20 years ago thin brows were a thing and I am as guilty as many of us for waxing and overplucking my naturally thick brows. Now that natural, thick brows are in vogue, I got none to brag about. And after two pregnancies, the brows are just not growing any more. I am happy about the mustache not coming back, but not so happy about the brows situation. Same with the lashes - mascara, fake lashes, extensions - we do a lot to the poor lashes and sometimes we just need to help them get back to looking long and beautiful again.
Slow hair growth and hair loss: Regrowing hair after medical treatments, growing hair for those with textured hair might be a lengthy process. And when hair just starts shedding, it is not fun at all for ladies or gents. For gents, we say bold is beautiful, but the migration of hair to the back can be at least slowed down. And for some of that migration you can blame hormones, even Castor Oil cannot help there.
Acne and blackheads: Shockingly I need to dedicate a fair portion of this article to talking about Castor Oil for acne and clean pores.
1. How to use Black Castor Oil for dry & brittle hair
Dry and brittle hair is a side effect of something else and the root cause of brittle hair needs to be dealt with. Here is from the hair expert, Olga Baskakov, an owner of Kudri Hair Salon in Denver. "Quote from Olga".
Olga has spent over 20 years working in esthetics and hair after graduating from a college in Europe, where esthetics and hair is a 5-year college degree, not a 6-weeks course.
Here is how we would use Black Castor Oil for a hair treatment. We love using Castor Oil on hair as an overnight treatment once a week for 2 or 3 months. All you need to do is warm up some Castor Oil in water bath (by pouring some oil 2-3 tbsps into a tall glass and putting this glass inside of a bowl of hot water for a few minutes, letting the oil to warm up). Do not microwave or use stove to heat the oil.
When oil is warm to touch but not hot, wet your hair a little bit by spraying some warm water on your hair roots. And then you can use a brush (a masque brush) to apply the oil to the roots of your hair similar to the way you would apply a hair dye. If hair dye is not your thing and this reference does not make sense, just simply apply oil on your roots and scalp with anything you have available - brush or fingers. Some help from family, friend or a partner might make things easier. Wear something you can easily take off when you are ready to rinse you hair in the morning. Have a towel around your shoulders if you want to make sure that no oil gets on the carpet or areas around you. It is easy enough to contain it all and not make a mess, but here are just some tips from experience.
We suggest keeping your hair under a shower cap for your hair to stay slightly wet and warm and for Castor Oil to continue doing its work as you rest overnight. It might be a good idea to put a towel on your pillow to protect your bedding from any oil that might escape. In the morning, rinse the oil with warm water in the shower. Shampoo and condition as usual. It could take a few shampoos to get the oil rinsed out. Lather well and condition well. You can add a dash of Henna or Hoba Oil or Pomegranate Seed Oil to seal the moisture and to add some shine and extra conditioning to your hair.
2. Castor Oil to Rehab Brows and Lashes
Michelle, the owner of Brows on Upper 15, @browsdenver, is a firm advocate for slow beauty. She shares her insights on how to effectively use Black Castor Oil as a remedy to naturally rehabilitate and grow lashes and brows. Michelle has been doing brows before brows were 'cool' and she is the guru when it comes to natural and beautiful brows and lashes. According to Michelle, "Many pharmaceutical and over-the-counter lash and brow growth products contain an active ingredient called Bimatoprost. While these products can show relatively quick results by altering the natural growth cycle, they have a downside. If you discontinue their use, the brow and lash hairs revert back to their previous state."
According to Michelle, 'Slow Beauty' creates long-lasting effects. "Castor oil has immediate cosmetic effects, providing sheen and control, especially to laminated brows. It locks in moisture, enhancing the health and strength of each hair. But its real beauty lies in its long-term effects."
This is how Michelle would use Black Castor Oil on brows: "Apply Castor Oil sparingly to the root area and distribute evenly to the ends. The oil is quite viscous and has a medium to low pH, so not much is required. It's easier to distribute over a slightly damp lash and brow area." She suggests combing through some Roseau (Katari Rose Water) first, then dabbing a tiny amount of Castor at the root area, as many of the benefits originate from skin absorption.
"Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These characteristics can help improve scalp health and promote hair growth," explains Michelle. "Ricinoleic acid is thought to reduce inflammation and increase circulation to the hair follicle, thus allowing the follicle to do its hair-building magic more effectively. Brushing the brows and lashes can physically stimulate circulation as well, doubling up the effect. The antimicrobial properties of castor oil also help prevent breakout and inflammation, making it an all-around beneficial treatment for lashes and brows."
And for lashes, the same concept as above applies, but you do not need to apply Castor Oil to your lashes directly. Only apply a thin layer on the top eyelid. Do not massage or rub it in. Just leave it on. Since Castor Oil is thick in consistency, using it at night might be a good idea. And as with all natural ingredients, please stay patient, give it time and you will see the results.
3. Slow Growth and Hair Loss
The root cause of hair loss might be more than skin deep. It can be your nutrition, stress level, hydration, internal medical conditions and so much more. While natural ingredients like Castor Oil are not suitable replacements for medical advice and professional help to tackle the actual issue that causes your hair to be unhappy, it can still provide some relief and help with re-growing stronger and healthier hair faster once you know what the culprit for the hair misadventures is.
Using Black Castor On Hair
Step 1: Assemble All Accessories, Warm up Oil, Slightly Wet Your Hair
Suggested tools and accessories: a towel, hot water bath accessories (bowls, glass), shower cap, Castor Oil, masque brush, hair brush.
Step 2: Apply Castor Oil to Roots, Scalp and Hair Lengths
Part hair and apply Castor Oil to scalp and hair roots and smooth the rest of the oil over the lengths of the hair. Cover hair with a shower cap.
Step 3: Keep Overnight & Rinse in the Morning
Rinse, shampoo, condition and repeat the treatment a few more times. Once your hair gets in much better shape, maybe repeat once a quarter.
Use Castor Oil for 6-8 weeks once or twice a week as a warm oil bath (warm oil scalp conditioning treatment) leaving oil on your hair roots overnight. We suggest spraying the hair with warm water to make it a little easier to apply the oil and massaging oil into your hair roots. Using a shower cap over your hair and a towel over your pillow will be essential to keep the oil on your hair, keep the hair slightly wet and warm and to avoid the oily mess. Rinse in the morning with warm water and your favorite shampoo and condition as usual. Remember, give your body time. Everything takes time and strong results will follow if you keep doing what is best for your body. And also consistency matters a lot!
4. Castor Oil for Acne & Blackheads
An unlikely ingredient that not too many people know, Black Castor Oil can be used to clear skin of blackheads. It goes deep into the pores and brings up comedones, little hard particles trapped in the skin. Here is how to use Castor Oil to deeply cleanse pores and help skin rid of blackheads and minimize acneic bacteria. To take advantage of the cleansing superpowers of the Black Castor Oil, all you need to do is to slightly wet your face (it will make it a little bit easier), and apply a small amount of oil to your fingertips. Massage skin for 5-7 minutes in circular motion with your fingertips until you feel little sand-like tiny grains form under your fingertips. Those are the comedones and all the yucky stuff leaving your pores. Pretty easy, eh? Then just rinse your face with warm water and apply your favorite daily moisturizer, like Katari Hoba Oil.
You can repeat this process weekly. No need for a daily Castor Oil cleanse. If your have drier skin, you can use 100% Castor Oil. If your skin is more oily, you can mix Castor Oil with Katari Hoba Oil - it will make the application a little bit easier, as Castor Oil is very viscous and thick. But do not let the consistency of the oil deter you from using it - it is amazing!
What is Black Castor Oil?
Let's start with the magic beans of Ricinus Communisep or Ricine Noir or Black Castor Oil. Castor Oil comes from a bean that is rich in anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory Ricinoleic (fatty) acid. The pretty light brown bean has a brittle beige shell. When the bean is harvested, it is actually poisonous (if you ingest it). So, if you stumble across a lovely field of castor plants, do not eat them.
But when those beans are roasted, similar process to roasting coffee beans, and cold-pressed into a thick, viscous oil, the poison is no longer there. So don't get scared. It is safe to use externally. Still we do not recommend snacking on Black Castor Oil. I wonder though who was the first person said, let me roast this bean and see if that makes it less deadly. LOL!
We know a bit about Black Castor Oil because we source it directly from the farms in the Egypt's Nile Delta. It is one of the special places on Earth where organic farming is actually still very organic. The rich sediments from the central Africa flow north to flood the lands in Lower Egypt, keeping this soil one of the most fertile on Earth. Plants that grow there are naturally filled with vitamins and microelements that are not as powerful elsewhere. If you want to know more about what and how we source, you might want to read more of our articles and watch our videos. It is not easy, but this is the only proper way to get the full story.
What Our Customer Think About Black Castor Oil
Castor Oil
I remember my grandmother used to put caster oil on my eyelashes when I was a little girl. I thought it was something she invented because I never heard of it again until I found Katari, and now I discovered that it also helps with dark circles and puffy eyes since I started using again. Thanks Katari!
Martha C.
Verified Buyer
Love, Per Usual
Honestly, if you aren't using Katari products, you really need to reevaluate your life choices. These products will change your life.
Shelby L.
Verified Buyer
Brow Serum
We have seen great results for our clients trying to grow their brows back in using this oil-
bonus, the thicker consistency has really helped my super dry skin in this winter season.
Michelle D.
Verified Buyer
Castor Oil Benefits
Protects Hair
Stimulates Hair Follicles
Reduces Hair Dryness
Moisturizes Skin & Hair
Unconditional Guarantee | Free Shipping
Let us brag about our Black Castor Oil
Katari Beauty
Black Castor Oil
Other Brands
Cold-Pressed
Differentiation Point 1
we don't know
Organically Grown
Differentiation Point 2
Directly Sourced from Artisans
Differentiation Point 3
Small Batch Pressed
Differentiation Point 4
Always Fresh
Differentiation Point 5
Comes from Extremely Rich Soil
Differentiation Point 6
About Katari Beauty
We travel and source the purest single-ingredient Mediterranean beauty staples and handmade accessories. We are for slow beauty and more connected and sustainable world. We work with a very small number of ingredients (10 to be exact) and we know them really well.
If you like our articles, please share and subscribe to our YouTube Channel and our Instagram Channel.
We are Denver-based. Globally-sourced. Handmade and transparent!
@kataribeauty_ on Instagram
@katari_beauty on YouTube