5 Amazing Benefits of Castor Oil

If you struggle with dry skin, Castor Oil may be your solution.

A few years ago I watched a YouTube video by Jennifer Mayers explaining how she uses castor oil daily in her simple night routine. After seeing that, I wondered whether she was right. Do we overpay for expensive eye creams year after year, and can one simple oil replace all that, save us money, and be more beneficial for our skin?

So I started using castor oil and here are some benefits I noticed after 8 months of consistent use.

What castor oil is the best?

The first thing you want to do is try to find good-quality castor oil. That means it should be cold-pressed, unrefined, organic, and packaged in a dark glass bottle.

Keep it in a dark, cold space without direct sunlight.

Second, do a patch test to determine if you are allergic and start with small amounts to test tolerance. In case you experience a skin rash or swelling discontinue use immediately.

Benefits of castor oil

Hydrated skin

Castor oil is rich in fatty acids, which help deeply hydrate the skin. This makes it great for mature skin prone to dryness.

Castor oil offers numerous advantages for skin health:

Deep hydration without clogging pores
Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
Anti-inflammatory properties that help with acne
Support for collagen and elastin production
Treatment for dry, cracked skin, especially on heels and elbows

I dab two drops of castor oil a couple of times a week under my eyes and on my eyelids. The skin is soft and hydrated, and I noticed the benefit of thicker lashes!

However, if I start using castor oil every day, I notice some irritation under my eyes. So be careful and test how much you tolerate castor oil.

In winter, I also put a drop or two of castor oil in my cream at night. I always wake up to soft, plump, and glowing skin.

But be careful if you are prone to clogged skin and acne.

Thicker hair and a healthier scalp

One of castor oil’s most celebrated benefits is its ability to promote healthy hair growth. Rich in ricinoleic acid, omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E, it:

Stimulates blood circulation to the scalp
Nourishes hair follicles
Adds shine and reduces split ends
Helps combat scalp infections and dandruff

I do not use castor oil directly on my hair or scalp as I find it too thick. Sometimes I mix castor oil with some lighter oil and then apply it to my scalp.

However, as I have androgenetic alopecia, I have a hair loss plan I have been following for years, and for my scalp, I use hair loss treatments daily, which does not leave much room for using castor oil. (If you are interested, check out my post My Hair Care Routine for Hair Loss)

Castor oil will not cure your hair loss, but it will improve the condition of your scalp and hair. Still, I would go for much stronger remedies if you are seriously losing hair.

Joint and muscle relief

The oil’s natural compounds help:

Reduce joint and muscle pain
Decrease inflammation
Ease arthritis symptoms
Relieve menstrual cramps

I have mild arthritis in my knees, and while it’s not debilitating, it’s uncomfortable enough that I’m always trying to find relief.

Every night, I massage some castor oil on my knees and elbows. It’s a very nice and calming ritual, and I really enjoy it. I also find that after regular use, I feel some relief from my knee pain, and the morning stiffness is gone.

Castor oil is very thick, so what I do is mix it with my body moisturizer or mix it with almond oil that I also use.

Thicker eyebrows and lashes

I never specifically applied castor oil on my lashes or eyebrows. However, after 8 months of consistent use around my eyes, I noticed that my eyelashes had become much thicker. Especially my lower lashes.

So I do believe that if you apply it consistently to your eyelashes and eyebrows, you will get great results. However, you need to pay attention not to get oil into your eyes, as it is very uncomfortable.

The results are also not fast; you need to wait a few months to see them.

Reducing inflammation

I find that massaging castor oil on my abdomen in a circular motion relieves bloating and improves my digestion.

It also helps calm down the old C-section scar I have.

It’s a simple and soothing ritual, and I really enjoy doing it before bed (check out my nighttime routine). Some people also use castor oil packs, but I have not tested them.

How to use castor oil

Let’s check out different ways you can apply castor oil in your skincare and hair routine.

Hair Treatment:
- Mix with coconut oil (1:1 ratio)
- Apply to the scalp and hair
- Leave for 1-2 hours
- Wash thoroughly
Skin Care:
- Apply a few drops directly to your skin or add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer.
- Gently massage in circular motions
- Best used before bedtime
Eyelashes/Eyebrows:
- Apply with a clean mascara wand
- Use a very small amount
- Apply before bed

Downsides of castor oil

I noticed a couple of downsides after consistent use. They do not prevent me from using castor oil, but it is good to know about them.

It is difficult to travel with it. It easily spills from the bottle when you pack it. I had a couple of accidents, and since then, I stopped traveling with it.
Sometimes I notice it can cause me milia or irritation under the eyes if I use it every day.
It is a thick oil, so it is not easy to apply it to your body or scalp. I often mix it with other oils or creams.
Pay attention to where you keep it in your house. It left stains on my nightstand, as I didn’t notice that the bottle got oily.

Final thoughts

From personal experience, I do believe Castor oil should be in everyone’s cabinet.

It is natural, simple to use, and can offer your skin many benefits.

However, castor oil is by no means a miracle oil, as you sometimes see online. It is very thick and difficult to apply to larger surfaces. It can also cause irritation or melia. It will not erase your fine lines and make you look much younger. But for me, it works better than many more expensive eye creams.

So be careful and first check if your skin tolerates this type of oil well.