5 Castor Oil Benefits for Hair

What hair problems can this oil help you deal with? Read on to find out.

Plant oils are popular among those who seek natural additions to their hair care arsenal. Each of these oils has its known benefits. For instance, DIY coconut oil treatments can help make your hair silky and smooth. Meanwhile, sunflower oil can help treat flaking, redness, and irritation on your scalp. To get healthier-looking hair, you can also try castor oil. It has medicinal and cosmetic uses. We’ve listed down castor oil benefits for hair, because who knows? This oil might be just what you need to help you deal with your hair concerns.

1. Castor oil is moisturizing.

A 2022 review article in the International Journal of Trichology says that ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has a moisturizing effect on the hair. The study adds that the oil’s fatty acids can help nourish your hair follicles. It aligns with a 2019 review article in the American Journal of Applied Chemistry which says castor oil traps moisture in your hair and keeps it from getting dry.

2. It can help make your hair shiny.

Because castor oil helps seal moisture in your strands, it can also help make your hair shiny. So, if you have dull hair, you might want to include shampoos and conditioners with castor oil in your hair care regimen.

Bottle of castor oil and a bowl of castor fruit on a wooden table
Castor oil can help make your hair shiny and stimulate hair growth. Credit: Shutterstock

3. It can help reduce breakage.

Well-moisturized hair is less likely to get brittle and prone to breakage. It’s also less prone to getting split ends, so you wouldn’t have to cut your hair often to get rid of these frayed tips.

4. Castor oil stimulates hair growth.

No, it doesn’t add a few inches to your hair. But rather, it helps improve blood circulation, according to the Journal of Applied Chemistry. Good blood circulation aids in the delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth.

Editor’s tip:Looking for shampoos with castor oil? Try Sunsilk Strong & Long Shampoo. It has the new Activ-Infusion, a blend of oils, vitamins, and proteins that help protect hair against damaging factors like UV rays, heat, dust, humidity, and pollution. Aside from castor oil, it also has vitamin B7 or biotin which can help treat hair loss. It also has aloe vera for hair nourishment. 

5. Castor oil has anti-microbial properties.

“Ricin and ricinoleic acid present in the oil protect the scalp and the shaft of the hair from fungal and microbial infections,” says a review article in the International Journal of Trichology. Meanwhile, a 2021 study in the journal Plant Archives says that the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and other organic compounds in castor oil helps the extract hinder the growth of certain strains of bacteria.

There you have it! Now, check if castor oil is listed among the ingredients of your favorite shampoo. It might be the key to getting healthy hair.

 

 

 

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