Castor oil is a beauty staple. Renowned for caring for our hair, it also hides other qualities if you know how to use it well.

When it comes to beauty, vegetable oils promise wonders. From hair care to skin and nail care, Mother Nature has done what's necessary to ensure that we lack for nothing! In the top 5 of the most effective and most popular vegetable oils for hair care. Castor oil shares the podium with black cumin oil, also particularly appreciated for its moisturizing and invigorating properties.

Castor oil, a natural treasure for hair and beyond

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the common castor (Ricinus Communis by its Latin name), a shrub that grows in tropical regions of the world and also produces a poison called ricin, also found in castor oil seeds. Castor oil, which is used in cosmetics, can be recognized by its light yellow color and viscous texture. It's ideal for hair, when applied to the lengths (never to the scalp, as the oil is very difficult to remove when washed and could grease the hair) and even the skin, but you must absolutely avoid ingesting it as it is toxic... For the record, it was used under Mussolini's dictatorship as a torture agent, causing severe diarrhoea that could lead to death...

How to choose castor oil? 

Choosing castor oil depends on how you want to use it. This oil has many applications, including hair care, skin care, nail care and even general health. Here are a few tips to consider when choosing castor oil:

Castor oil is not only inedible, it is also extremely beneficial for our hair and skin. For 100% effectiveness, it should be used pure and always cold-pressed... It's its composition of ricinoleic acid (omega 9) that gives it its viscous appearance and all its cosmetic benefits.

The benefits of castor oil for hair

It's castor oil's number 1 trump card: it's THE star when it comes to hair beauty. Regardless of hair type, castor oil is prescribed to boost hair, eyelash and eyebrow growth. It's also recommended for brittle hair, to restore shine, strength and softness. It is ideal for dry hair that is totally devitalized, thinned and dull.

But why is this viscous oil (which is also toxic) so good for our hair? It's precisely its unique viscosity that makes castor oil the ideal candidate for caring for our strands! Its fatty-acid-rich texture has the power to penetrate the scales of the hair fiber, locking in and providing deep hydration. Hydration is the basis of healthy hair. A castor oil bath not only prevents and slows hair loss, it also stimulates hair regrowth. This vegetable oil is particularly recommended in cases of alopecia or seasonal hair loss. The great thing is that castor oil is suitable for all hair types!

When preparing your daily skin care routine, you can also combine castor oil with a suitable essential oil, such as rosemary, to increase its effects tenfold. And if you're wondering what to choose between castor oil and an eyelash regrowth serumThe two are complementary.

The benefits of castor oil for the skin

We don't hear it often, but castor oil is also a good friend for the skin! Once again, thanks to its viscous texture, it works miracles on the damaged epidermis of dry skin. In winter, castor oil is an excellent moisturizer and protector from external aggression for hands dried out by the cold. In fact, in addition to its moisturizing properties, the yellow oil is also purifying and healing. A perfect combo that penetrates the smallest interstice of the skin's surface layer to repair and limit the spread of germs. Castor oil is also a good acne-fighting agent. Apply a small amount to the affected areas. 

The benefits of castor oil for nails

Like our hair, our nails are largely made up of Keratin. They generally benefit from the same care as our hair. Castor oil is therefore one of the most effective oils for caring for our nails! Its rich texture impregnates the nail, helping it to grow back and, above all, to strengthen. Say goodbye to brittle or limp nails.

As with hair and eyelashes, you can also choose to alternate castor oil with a fortifying nail serum !

How to apply castor oil

Castor oil may be miraculous, but it can also be toxic. So use it wisely and always choose cold-pressed, ORGANIC castor oil.

Lash application

Although it is toxic when ingested, castor oil is harmless to the eye mucosa and can be used on eyelashes to promote their regrowth and fortification.

How do you apply it? There are several ways to apply castor oil. The first is to slip a clean brush into your castor oil bottle and apply the viscous substance to your lashes like a mascara! Be careful not to apply too much, and remove any excess before applying. Ideally, you should do this before going to bed, so that the oil acts as a mask all night long.

The second effective way to apply castor oil to your lashes is to mix it with your rimmel! One or two drops of oil in your tube of mascara will do the trick. If you overdose, the mascara will become too viscous and no longer pleasant to wear.

With regular application, you're sure to see results within three weeks. There's no evidence to suggest that prolonged use of castor oil is harmful, but always listen to your body and make sure you're not allergic. If in doubt, test it on the hollow of your elbow before applying it to your eyes!

Application to nails and hands

For soft, moisturized hands and strong nails, nothing beats castor oil. This magical oil kills two birds with one stone. For the oil to be fully effective, apply it like a mask (once or twice a week, depending on the condition of your hands). You coat your hands well with pure castor oil, then leave the mask on with your hands in gloves. It can take from 20 minutes to an entire night if you're looking for a deep-down treatment.

If you're just looking for a nail treatment, you can apply castor oil to nails and cuticles in small circular massages. Repeat as often as necessary. This step is particularly recommended in winter, when nails are at their most brittle.

Eyebrow application

As with eyelashes and hair, castor oil works wonders on even the baldest eyebrows, helping to restore a fuller line! Just like for eyelashes, just slip a clean brush into your castor oil bottle and brush it over your lashes. There's no need to remove the excess, as castor oil can be applied as a generous mask to the eyebrows without the risk of entering the eye. Ideally, repeat the operation every night before bedtime for a month. The first results should be visible after three weeks. Make it an annual ritual to keep your eyebrows full, shiny and soft for as long as possible!

For men, application to the beard

Castor oil also helps men to look after themselves! As well as being excellent for hair, it's also great for beard care. It not only promotes hair growth and a fuller beard, but also protects the skin beneath the beard thanks to its antibacterial properties. It can be used as a beard oil or as a complement to your usual skin care product.

What not to do with castor oil

As explained above, castor oil should never be ingested! Although it may be present in very small doses in certain medicines, pure oil should not be consumed... This is the only known contraindication, since even pregnant and breast-feeding women can safely apply castor oil to their skin, hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and nails.