Castor oil — the age-old folk remedy with a famously unpleasant taste — has undergone a recent makeover. Celebrity makeup artist Jami Svay recently told us it's her go-to moisturizer for hair, skin, and even lashes. A secret passed down from her grandmother, Svay uses the product as part of her own daily routine and on her clients. Even Charlize Theron is self-admittedly a fan.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil comes from the plant Ricinus communis, also called the castor plant, naturally found in Africa, India, and South America. The castor beans (technically seeds) get pressed into a versatile, pale-yellow vegetable oil with a very distinct flavor and smell. And while modern medicine has eclipsed its historic use as cure-all, castor oil is now a trendy budget beauty buy.
Just like its popular cousin coconut oil, castor oil can provide moisturizing benefits, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab state.
"Castor oil is comprised mainly of the fatty acid ricinoleic acid," says Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. "It works as an emollient, smoothing flaky skin and making it feel softer. It can also provide a barrier on the skin and protect against moisture loss. For hair, it acts as a lubricant, coating and conditioning strands to improve smoothness and shine."
Beyond its emollient properties, "castor oil is loaded with ricinoleic acid, a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage that causes collagen damage and wrinkles," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
In a nutshell, you should definitely add this stuff to your beauty regimen.
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What are the best benefits of castor oil?
Used topically, castor oil's fatty acids can help moisturize and nurture almost every part of your body. Here's how to add castor oil to your beauty and skincare routine:
- Boost your brows and lashes. Applying a little castor oil daily can help nurture your eyelashes and eyebrows. "Because of its moisturizing benefits, castor oil can help condition and thicken the hairs themselves," says Dr. Zeichner. The best, no-mess way to do it: "I buy empty mascara bottles on Amazon and fill them with castor oil to brush it on my lashes at night," says Svay.
- Get shiny, healthy hair. As for her hair, Svay smoothes SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil onto her ends two to three times a week to prevent breakage.
- Moisturize rough skin. After applying moisturizer, Svay rubs castor oil on her knees, elbows, and other dry patches to layer up and seal in moisture. "It can be used one to two times per day as needed," says Dr. Zeichner.
- Condition your cuticles. Svay adds that castor oil also works great on your manicure too. Use a cotton swab to dab a little on your nail beds for extra nourishment.
- Tame flyaways. Smooth out your hairstyle by using a little bit of castor oil along your hairline.
How else can I use it?
Castor oil's oldest applications have nothing to do with hair, skin, or nails. You (or your grandma) might in fact know it best as a laxative or a way to induce labor. And yep, the rinconelic acid in castor oil can help relieve occasional constipation.
"It works by increasing the movement of the intestines to help stool come out," says Felice Schnoll-Sussman, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Of course there are other, less-icky ways to find relief when you're feeling backed up: Drink plenty of water (at least eight glasses per day), eat more fresh fruits and fiber-rich foods, or take a fiber supplement such as psyllium husk or Metamucil, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says. If those don't work, try using a stool softener and other over-the-counter laxatives — you won't need a spoonful of sugar to get them down.
Are there any side effects to castor oil?
"Due to its laxative properties, it can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and electrolyte disturbances," says Dr. Schnoll-Sussman. For that reason, she advises only individuals over the age of 12 use a dose of 15-60 mL (less than 4 tablespoons) and never consuming castor oil if pregnant, as it can induce premature labor. The stimulant laxative works quickly — within two to six hours — so don't take it right before bed.
In skincare, "castor oil is commonly diluted out in a carrier oil before being applied to the skin," says Dr. Zeichner. "Applying straight castor oil may lead to skin irritation, inflammation and dryness." Be sure to look for formulas diluted with carrier oils, such as grapeseed.
Blake Bakkila has been writing about everything from pop culture to lifestyle products for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com, WhattoExpect.com, Health.com, and in the print and digital versions of Real Simple and People.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
