So what’s the truth about castor oil? Well, we looked into what it actually does for your hair. It is especially high in ricinoleic acid1 (around 85 to 95% content), as well as oleic acid and linoleic acid. It’s also rich in vitamin E, unsaturated fatty acids including omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, minerals, and other antioxidants. Thanks to these properties, “castor oil has documented1 anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial2, immune-boosting, and analgesic properties,” Gandhi says. It’s a medium-weight, odorless oil that acts as both an emollient and an occlusive. (Emollients are essentially conditioners, while occlusives act as a seal.) Its emollient properties help it penetrate strands and the scalp to hydrate, imparting nutrients and softening agents. The occlusive nature wraps around the strand providing a coating to keep moisture in as well as protecting the strand from physical damage and environmental aggressors. So research says that it’s not actually growing or regrowing your hair—but is it doing anything? Well, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Antioxidants (like vitamin E) have been shown to fight free radicals in hair as well as minimizing inflammation at the scalp. Free radical damage has been linked to graying and aging of the hair3. Inflammation has been linked to flaking, dryness, redness, tenderness, and even alarmingly, hair loss. So maybe castor oil isn’t helping your hair grow, but it is likely helping you keep the hair you have. The fatty acid content provides moisture to both the strand and skin, and research has drawn a connection to staving off hair loss4 as well. (So, again, this is not helping your hair grow but is perhaps preventing thinning in the future.)
