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Castor Oil: Is It Really a Miracle Oil?
Castor oil, also called castor oil, is such an ingredient that you will come across a lot in your search for the right care and hair products for your curls. It supports natural hair growth and ensures that your hair retains its shine and volume for longer. Ideal, isn’t it? Yet opinions about castor oil differ considerably. It is loved and hated, but why? And what does it do and how do you use it? You can read it in this article!
Also read: This is how to treat frizzy hair
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What is castor oil?
Castor oil is also called castor oil or castor oil. That is promising!
Castor oil is a vegetable oil, which is obtained from the fruit of the so-called miracle tree. Why the tree is called a miracle tree?
Because he’s known for growing bizarrely fast. Castor oil is a rich oil with a light to spicy aroma and a thick, viscous substance.
Depending on the type, it has a pale, yellowish to dark brown color. The best-known types of castor oil are cold-pressed castor oil and Jamaican black castor oil.
Castor oil is often an ingredient in products, such as PEG castor oil, but it can also be used and purchased pure.
Castor oil is rich in nutrients, as it consists of over 90% Ricinoleic Acid and contains omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E.
This keeps your scalp clean and balanced, prevents your scalp from drying out, moisturizes your hair, and it aids in hair growth and repair of damaged hair.
The result? Smooth, shiny, voluminous curls that are less likely to break or be damaged. Perfect for people who want long and full hair!
Bonus tip: Because castor oil stimulates hair growth, many women use castor oil before going to sleep to coat their eyelashes.
The result is long, voluminous lashes!
Castor oil and the Curly Girl Method
As a Curly Girl you often suffer from dry or frizzy hair. Of course, you can buy a special hair oil that promises to make your hair less frizzy and shine more.
But these oils often contain ingredients that are harmful to your hair. They therefore do not fit the guidelines of the Curly Girl Method.
An alternative is pure oil, which you can buy in the supermarket or organic store, such as castor oil.
Remember, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. For example, one person calls castor oil a panacea, and the other advises against it completely.
It is therefore wise to first check what your curl and hair type is, and what needs your curls have, such as more shine or less frizz.
How do you use castor oil for your hair?
Castor oil is probably the most used product in the natural hair community next to shea butter. It helps hair that has been through a lot to get back to its original state.
In addition, the oil is quickly and easily absorbed into the skin and scalp cells, making it a popular ingredient in many skin and hair care products.
Sealing oil
We can distinguish two types of oil: oils that can penetrate the scalp and hair (moisturising oil), and oils that remain on the hair (sealing oil).
Due to the thick, viscous substance of castor oil, it stays on the hair faster. So it is a sealing oil.
That layer not only ensures that hydration remains in your hair, but also that your hair starts to shine.
So always apply moisturising leave-in conditioner before applying castor oil, as this is less likely to “leak” moisture from your hair. Especially if you have very dry hair.
Use in your hair
You only need to use castor oil 1 to 2 times a week. Preferably do this on damp hair, working from the scalp towards the ends.
Massage the oil well into your scalp. It works best if you use the castor oil as an overnight hair treatment.
Don’t forget to put something on your head when you go to sleep, such as a shower cap or bonet, because castor oil is not a nice stuff for your pillowcase.
Then rinse your hair with a mild cleanser.
Another option is to put a very thin layer of oil on your wet hair ends, before or after applying gel to your curls. The castor oil does not dry up grease and that way your hair is hydrated all day long.
Lovers and haters of castor oil
Online you will find just as many lovers and haters of castor oil. Some say castor oil isn’t even Curly Girl proof.
Why is that? The haters will tell you that castor oil is way too thick and sticky and their hair hates castor oil.
This could be because the oil is difficult to rinse out of the hair, which will eventually make your curls feel oily and heavy.
We therefore recommend gradually building up the use of castor oil.
Try it first in your wet ends or on a small part of your hair, to prevent that with a fully smeared head and intensely greasy head of curls you will find out that castor oil is not really suitable for your hair.
Would you rather use it on dry hair? Then the lovers recommend mixing castor oil with a lighter oil. Then you could apply the mixture to dry hair as a pre-poo treatment.
Try out different variants before classifying yourself under the category of lovers or haters. So there are different types of castor oil and castor oil also has different appearances: pure or as PEG castor oil.
To be fair, castor oil doesn’t work wonders for every Curly Girl. Are you a lover or a hater? And do you have any questions about it? Feel free to ask them via Instagram!
1 Comment
Castor oil is a good sealing oil because it is thick and viscous. It stays on the hair and does not penetrate the scalp or hair shaft. This means that it helps to keep moisture in the hair and makes it look shiny.