When it comes to boosting your hair’s hydration and shine, incorporating an oil into your routine should be your first port of call.
You have likely heard experts waxing lyrical about argan, moringa, coconut and jojoba - but are you familiar with castor oil?
A fabulous natural oil which has moisturising and strengthening properties, add it to your bathroom cabinet and enjoy the benefits of sleek, conditioned hair, which in effect will stimulate hair growth.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is an all-natural vegetable oil which comes from castor beans, also known as the Ricinus communis plant, originating in Northeastern tropical Africa. By pressing the plant, the typically colourless or a pale yellow is created - although sometimes it is boiled with ash to create a darker black hue. Castor oil is rich in nutrients as well as nourishing Vitamin E, fatty acids and minerals, which is why it has often used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, including for lacklustre locks.
What are the benefits of using castor oil in your hair?
With antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil is a great treatment for scalp health, reducing irritation and dandruff. It will hydrate and nourish your scalp and strands, and give you lovely smooth and glossy locks. It can also help to prevent split ends and fortify your tresses.
How to use castor oil in your hair?
Apply a couple of drops of castor oil into your hands and using your fingertips massage into your scalp. You can also apply through the strands of your hair for full coverage. Leave for 15-20 minutes, up to an hour or overnight for a deep conditioning treatment and rinse out with shampoo. It is always best to do a patch test first to check it is suitable for your skin type.
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Briogeo B.Well Castor Oil
With a chic pastel bottle, this castor oil will pack a punch in your hair. The formula has been cold-pressed to preserve the highest amount of nutrients and minerals possible, creating a deep conditioning product for your scalp and hair and it’s organic and fair trade too. Massage into dry scalps and ends and let the fatty acids hydrate and rejuvenate your hair.
Buy now £24.00, Cult Beauty
Heritage Store Castor Oil
Add this castor oil into your weekly hair routine and with continual use, your hair will become strong, silky and smooth. It has been created with 100 per cent cold-pressed ingredients for top results. The nutrient-rich treatment is also vegan and hexane and cruelty-free. A cheap and cheerful option which will transform your hair from root to tip.
Buy now £5.99, Planet Organic
Kate Blanc Cosmetics Castor Oil
Moisturise your scalp with Kate Blanc Cosmetics’ oil – a high-quality treatment which will lead to stronger and healthier locks. After a few days, your hair will appear revitalised and refreshed. It will become thicker and shinier with reduced split ends. This will also encourage hair growth. The set also comes with an eyelash and eyebrow kit for nourishment from head to toe.
Buy now £23.60, Amazon
Giovanni 100% Pure Castor Oil
Replenish your hair with Giovanni’s castor oil, presented in a slim bottle to take up less space in your bathroom cabinet. The powerhouse ingredient is 100 per cent pure with refined nutrients to incorporate into your haircare, transforming dry scalps and split ends into shiny, soft manes.
Buy now £9.99, lookfantastic
Pukka Castor Oil
Say goodbye to limp, brittle hair with Amazon’s top choice castor oil, packaged in a pretty bottle with floral decoration. Pukka provide an ethically and sustainably-sourced nourishing treatment for your hair, hydrating your scalp and strengthening each strand with rich fatty acids.
Buy now £7.95, Amazon
Home Health Castor Oil
A little goes a long way with this one, so this large bottle of castor oil is a great long-lasting investment. Lather the natural emollient oil into the scalp and through your hair and wait for the results. You will see softened, glossier hair with a hydrated, less irritated scalp.
Buy now £29.55, Amazon
Superdrug Black Castor & Shea Oil Restoring Black Castor Oil
An affordable option, but this black castor oil boasts all the benefits that you’d hope for. Simply rub into your hands and distribute through the lengths and ends of your hair. The formula is enriched with Shea butter and plant keratin for an extra nourishing bonus. It is best suited for dry, coarse and frizzy hair to tame and hydrate, leaving a natural shine in its wake.
Buy now £4.49, Superdrug
Sky Organics Castor Oil
Give your hair the treatment it deserves with this natural castor oil containing the nourishing fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that your hair is craving. Use as a mask and massage into your scalp, leave for an hour and wash out – the outcome will be deeply-hydrated, luscious-looking hair.
Buy now £14.95, Amazon
Jamaican Mango & Lime Original Black Castor Oil
Recreate that enviable mirror-like shine that is often spotted on Instagram with this black castor oil. Use your fingertips to massage into your scalp and roots to replenish your hair’s moisture, encourage growth and strengthen limp and lifeless locks.
Buy now £6.95, Boots
Fushi Organic Castor Oil
Breathe new life into your locks with this organic, cold-pressed oil that is brimming with antioxidant and nourishing properties. All the ingredients are sustainble and entirely natural - no fillers or preservatives here. Glide the formula using your fingers through the hair to leave a silky, glowing shine. The nutrients also work to encourage growth. This will not disappoint.
Buy now £9.50, Naturisimo
