For years, castor oil has been marketed to make your hair grow. But is there any scientific truth to this infamous marketing claim?

I’ve been using castor oil in my hair for years. Most of the time, it is listed as an ingredient in my hair grease, hair oils, conditioners, and some leave-in conditioners.

However, using organic castor oil is way different from using hair products that claim to have it in the ingredient list.

With that being said, let’s explore what castor oil is, and how it can help support hair growth and keep our hair moisturized. 

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What Is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is an oil made from a vegetable plant named Ricinus communis. The oil is pressed from the castor beans and creates a thick pale yellow liquid.

According to Wikipedia, “It includes a mixture of triglycerides in which about 90% of fatty acids are ricinoleated. Oleic acid and linoleic acid are the other significant components”.

In other words, castor oil is made of many fatty acids that can help in hair growth, hair thickness, and moisture. 

Believe it or not, back in the day, my grandparents would drink castor oil to relieve constipation, make homemade soaps, and help induce labor for pregnant women.

I can’t imagine drinking this thick oil, but that was the hear say when my mother would speak about my grandparents and castor oil. 

But now that I think about it, my mother never spoke of using castor oil in our hair.

Maybe because hair grease was so popular and claimed to already have it listed in the ingredients. So I never thought to question this theory. 

Some known benefits of using castor oil for your hair remain that it can help it grow long, make your hair feel and appear thicker, and moisturize your hair and scalp.

However, I want to explore the natural acids that make castor oil and break down what each actually does for the hair and scalp. 

RELATED POST: Here’s Why Your Dry Scalp is Driving You Crazy

Organic Castor Oil & It’s Fatty Acids

Ricinoleic Acid

Castor oil contains a high amount of Ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory benefits.

This unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid will help keep your scalp and hair follicles healthy. It helps fight hair thinning and alopecia.

Also, this can help ease an itchy scalp, only if you don’t have any allergies to the oil.

Oleic Acid

Oleic Acid is the next acid that makes up castor oil, made of monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid.

This acid has emulsifying properties that help hydrate your hair and scalp. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help fight inflammation on the scalp.

After further research, there are claims that this acid actually aids in hair growth. 

Linoleic Acid

Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid that helps hair growth and scalp reconstruction.

It also helps improve dryness in hair and scalp and fights against hair loss. 

Stearic Acid

Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid that is mostly a lubricant and emulsifier.

This acid helps castor give your hair moisture and a natural shine. It will also coat, condition, and help thicken your hair. 

What Are The Benefits Of Castor Oil And Hair?

Aids in Hair Growth

Though there is no scientific proof that castor oil will help your hair grow, the fatty acids it contains say otherwise.

I have to admit that when I started using organic castor oil on my hair and scalp, I noticed a healthier head of hair.

I think the oil helped in hair growth by keeping my scalp healthy, and my hair strands coated, moisturized, and protected. 

Nourish & Moisturize Hair

Castor oil helps keep your hair nourished, hydrated and moisturized when you apply it on top of a water-based moisturizer.

As a result, your hair will feel soft and manageable.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties For Scalp

If you have an itchy scalp that is inflamed or troublesome, you can apply organic castor oil on your scalp to help relieve your symptoms.

It will help soothe your scalp without the tingling sensation while keeping it hydrated and protected. 

Best Organic Castor Oils To Try

When buying castor oil, you want to purchase the organic, cold-pressed castor oil to reap all the benefits we talked about before.

This is important, because commercial-made castor oil is artificial, and the results of using it are unknown and will vary.

However, it is also important to note that some people have an allergy to organic castor oil.

So always do a skin test on your arm or behind your ear, and wait 24 hours to see if you have any allergic reaction to the oil. 

This company claims this product has a big popularity among Instagram and its influencers.

Rejuve Naturals Organic Castor Oil is certified organic.

It says this oil will help thicken your hair and eyelashes while repairing damaged hair. Something I must see for myself!

If you are looking for a castor oil that only has one ingredient, here it is! Heritage Organic Castor Oil is one of the OGs when it comes to producing quality, organic products.

Their oil has a high amount of ricinoleic acid that will help with hair growth, nourishing your scalp, joint pain, and skin hydration.

What makes this oil different from the others is that this one is digestible.
You will reap all the benefits, plus it helps with digestion and constipation issues.

GreenIVe Castor Oil is 100% Pure Virgin Cold Pressed. 0 Fillers, 0 Additives. This product is only found on Amazon.

One of my personal favorites, I use this oil for my locs. I retwist with this oil, and I use it after hydrating my hair with water when needed.

Home Health Cold Pressed Castor Oil produces this pure, cold-pressed, non-GMO, hexane-free, solvent-free, paraben-free, vegan castor oil that penetrates deep into your skin and scalp. 

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Do you add other natural oils and herbs to your castor oil? My favorite essential oils to mix with my castor oil are peppermint oil and lemon.