Castor oil: the secret to super shiny, soft and well-groomed hair

But not as a grandmother's method of curing all diseases, but as a stylish and effective hair care, which is applauded by trichologists and stylists. The ELLE Beauty team decided to find out what is true and what is marketing?

What is ricin oil?

According to stylist Guy Parsons, this oil is extracted from castor seeds by cold pressing. Rich in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, it contains ricinoleic acid, a powerful ingredient that works wonders on hair and scalp.

What does castor oil do to the hair?

• Moisturises and softens, especially dry, curly and frizzy hair.

• Smoothes the cuticle, making hair shiny and manageable.

• Soothes the scalp, fights inflammation and microbes.

• Improves blood circulation, which means it helps the roots receive more nourishment.

Ideal for those who suffer from dry, brittle and "living their life" hair.

Will your hair start growing faster?

This is where it's worth pausing. According to trichologist Zoe Passam, castor oil doesn't literally speed up hair growth. But it can improve the quality and strength of your hair by preventing breakage, which indirectly helps grow length.

How to use

1. Before washing: apply to damp hair as a mask, preferably with the addition of other oils (olive, almond) - they will help absorb better and will not weigh it down.

2. Aspart of ready-made products: conditioners, masks and indelible creams with castor oil work well without excess fat.

3. On eyebrows and eyelashes: apply with a mascara brush before bed - the oil nourishes, strengthens and protects hairs from breakage.

Careful, it's greasy!

But not everything is so perfect. If you apply castor oil directly on the scalp in its pure form and do not wash off thoroughly, you can provoke dandruff. The fungus that causes flaking loves a greasy environment.

The solution? Wash your scalp twice with a cleansing shampoo - and no stickiness or unpleasant surprises.

How to use castor oil for hair at home

1. As a pre-shampoo mask (classic)

Ideal for dry, brittle, dull hair

You will need:

• 1-2 tbsp castor oil

• Optional: 1 tbsp of olive, turpoy or coconut oil (to make castor oil less thick)

What to do:

1. Heat the oil slightly (on a water bath, not in the microwave!).

2. Apply to the scalp and distribute along the length of your hair.

3. Cover your head with a towel or put on a shower cap.

4. Leave on for 1 hour.

5. Wash your hair twice with a shampoo, preferably a deep cleansing one.

⏳ Use once a week.

2. To strengthen eyebrows and eyelashes

For thickness and strengthening

What to do:

1. Clean the area of make-up.

2. Moisten a clean brush (you can use an old mascara brush) in the oil.

3. Gently apply to eyebrows and eyelashes.

4. Leave on overnight, rinse off with warm water in the morning.

⏳ Course: 1-2 months every day before going to bed.

3. Against hair loss

Stimulation of blood circulation and nourishment of the scalp

Add:

• 2 tbsp. castor oil

• 1 tsp of pepper tincture or peppermint essential oil (optional)

What to do:

1. Gently rub the mixture into your scalp.

2. Leave it on for 30-60 minutes.

3. Wash your scalp 2 times with shampoo.

‼️ Do an allergy test before use!

⚠️ Important:

• Do not apply a lot of oil - 1-2 spoonfuls is enough.

• Do not keep without washing for more than 8-10 hours.

• If you tend to have an oily scalp - use with caution or only on the lengths.

Best castor oil products according to Elle:

• Klorane with mango

• Swimcap by Philip Kingsley

• Aveda Damage Remedy

• HoliRoots by Fable & Mane.

• Bread Hair Oil