Does castor oil work as a natural remedy against hair loss?

The other day I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror, staring at the thinning spot on my crown and thinking, "Fuck it, I'm gonna try castor oil."

The reason? I was sick of it. €50+ to spend on fancy hair products that promise to have hair like Jason Momoa after 30 days. Spoiler: That never happens.

Castor oil on the other hand? Cost a tenner, sit in a bottle that looks like your grandmother bought it in 1970, and has been used for centuries by people who don't need Instagram influencers to know what works.

But let's face it: Does that stuff actually work? Or is it just another one of those natural miracle remedies that everyone browses about but actually does nothing?

I decided to take the test. Here's my unsalted truth about castor oil for your hair... which works, which doesn't, and why some people swear it saved their hair.

If Castor oil Want to try it yourself then click here. This is the best Castor oil on Bol.com

Are you wondering how I my hair Grow back? Scroll to the bottom of the blog for my personal hair loss routine!

There are all the products I use for the best results against hair loss.

You don't believe me? I'm not alone here the best Before and After photos with the same hair loss treatments!

Moreover, these are the only means that are scientifically proven to work.

What is castor oil anyway? (And why would you put it on your head?)

In this video, the boys from hairguard do an experiment with castor oil to see if it helps to prevent hair loss and hair growth.

Definitely worth a look!

Castor oil comes from the castor plant . a tropical plant that looks like it comes directly from a sci-fi film. The oil is extracted from the seeds and has been in use for centuries for all kinds of applications.

Source Wikimedia Commons. The castor plant, the **Ricinus communis**.

Let me give you a history lesson. The ancient Egyptians used it already, and even Cleopatra seems to have used it for her eyes and hair. The Indians have it in their Ayurvedic medicine, and in Jamaica, "Jamaican Black Castor Oil" is sort of a national heritage.

But what's in that stuff anyway? Castor oil is rich in:

Ricinoleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid)
Vitamin E (good for your skin and scalp)
Minerals (who can feed your hair)

In theory, castor oil would stimulate your hair growth by improving blood circulation in your scalp. More blood = more nutrients = stronger hair follicles. At least that's the reasoning.

My castor oil experiment (and fair results)

Enough scientific talk, let me tell you about my own experiences. I decided to use castor oil faithfully for two months, once a week as a hair mask.

Week 1-2: The beginning

The first time was a disaster. Nobody told me how incredibly thick and sticky that oil is. It was like rubbing syrup on my head. What about the smell? Let's just say my cat suddenly left the room.

I made the rookie mistake to use too much and put it right on my entire hair. Result: I needed three washes to get it out, and even then my hair felt a little oily.

No visible difference in my hair, except it looked like I hadn't showered in a week.

Week 3-4: Improving technology

After some online research I decided to change my approach:

Heat the oil slightly (make it less thick)
Use a small amount
Focus on your scalp, not your hair
Mix it with lighter oil (I chose coconut oil)
Let it sit under a shower cap for at least 2 hours

This worked much better. My hair was still a challenge to wash, but I noticed that my scalp was less itchy and my hair was shiny after the treatment.

Week 5-8: Results

After about six weeks faithfully doing my castor oil ritual every Sunday, I noticed Indeed some changes:

Less hair loss in the shower (this was the biggest profit)
Glosser hair (people even started to notice)
My hair seemed a little darker (which was a plus to me)
Less dandruff and a less itchy scalp

But let's be clear: I didn't get a sudden hair growth explosion.. That bald spot on my crown? He's still here, although he seems a little less conspicuous.

And yes, I feel like my hair grew a little faster than usual, but we're talking millimeters here, not centimeters.

How to use castor oil for your hair (without causing a greasy disaster)

If you still want to try castor oil after my story, you're braver than I thought. But at least let me help you not make the same mistakes I made.

The perfect castor oil hair mask

What you need:

2 tablespoons of castor oil
1 tablespoon coconut oil (make it thinner and easier to distribute)
5 drops of rosemary essential oil (optional, but helps the circulation)
Old towel or shower cap
Shampoo (you'll need it. Trust me.)

Steps:

Mix all oils in a small bowl
Heat the mixture slightly in the microwave (10-15 seconds) or au bain-marie
Divide your hair into sections and bring the mixture right on your scalp on, not on your hair
Massage it for 5-10 minutes with your fingertips (this is the most important part!)
Put on a shower cap or wrap a towel around your head
Leave it at least 2 hours (I usually left it overnight)
Wash thoroughly with shampoo, maybe twice

Pro tip: Do this the night before you schedule a laundry day. Not in the morning if you have a Zoom meeting in an hour.

For extra dry or damaged hair:

If your hair is really dehydrated (hello, bleach victims), add a tablespoon of honey to the mixture. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture.

For curly or frizzy hair works a mix of castor oil and shea butter wonders. The combination nourishes your curls without weighing them down.

Where do you buy the best castor oil?

Not all castor oil is created equal. Here are my findings after trying several brands:

Castor oil at Kruidvat

Kruidvat sells castor oil for about €7-9 per 100ml. It's fine for beginners, but I thought it was a little more refined than I wanted. It works, but it's not my favorite option.

Price quality: 7/10

Castor oil at Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett has an organic, cold pressed version around the €12-15 costs 100ml. A little more expensive, but also cleaner and thicker. The cold pressed versions retain more of the natural nutrients.

Their Jamaican Black Castor Oil (€17,99) is my personal favorite, the roasted beans give it a stronger effect on the scalp.

Price quality: 8.5/10

Online Options

If you really want to take it seriously, I recommend looking online at brands like:

Tropic Isle Living (real premium Jamaican Black Castor Oil)
Heritage Store (pure, cold pressed castor oil)
Sky Organics (100% pure hexane-free option)

These are a little more expensive, but if you find that castor oil works for you, these premium options are worth the investment.

Does castor oil really work against hair loss?

Let's get to the heart of the matter. Can castor oil really fight hair loss? After my own experiment and some in-depth research, my conclusion is:

Castor oil can help with certain types of hair loss, but it's not a miracle cure.

Here's the nuance you need to know:

Where castor oil WELL can help:

Hair loss due to dry, irritated scalp
Breakable hair that breaks before it can grow
Rose and scaly scalp that hindered hair growth
General conditioning and strengthening of existing hair

For which castor oil does NOT work:

Genetically determined baldness (male or female pattern)
Hormonal hair loss (pregnancy, menopause, etc.)
Autoimmune related hair loss (alopecia areata)
Severe nutritional deficiencies causing hair loss

The science behind this is limited, but there is something to say for the claims. A study with only five participants discovered that there was more PG2 activity (an inflammation marker) in bald areas of the scalp. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid which may reduce this inflammation.

But let's face it, that's not exactly a breakthrough in scientific research.

How does castor oil relate to other methods?

If you're really serious about hair loss, you probably want to know how castor oil pertains to other treatments:

Castor oil vs. Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Effectiveness against hair loss: Minoxidil clearly wins
Naturality: Castor oil wins
Scientific evidence: Minoxidil has many more studies
Bijwerkingen: Castor oil has fewer
Price: Castor oil is cheaper in the long term

Castor oil vs. Finasteride

Effectiveness against male baldness: Finasteride wins with big lead
Security: Castor oil is safer (finasteride has sexual side effects)
Accessibility: Castor oil is freely available, finasteride only on prescription
Fitness for women: Castor oil is safe, finasteride is prohibited for women

In short, if you have severe hair loss, medical treatments are more effective. But castor oil can be a good addition or an alternative if you prefer to stay natural.

Myths about castor oil degrade

There's a lot of bullshit about castor oil, so let me straighten out a few myths:

Myth 1: Castor oil grows your hair 5x faster

Reality: No. Human hair grows on average 1-1.5 cm per month, and no oil on Earth can magically speed that up to 5-7.5 cm.

Myth 2: Once using castor oil gives immediate result

Reality: As with most natural treatments, consistency is key. Expect at least 6-8 weeks for visible results.

Myth 3: Castor oil is good for everyone

Reality: Some people are allergic or get rashes or fatty scalp. Always do a patch test first.

Myth 4: You have to use castor oil every day

Reality: Too much good can weigh your hair and hide your scalp. 1-2 times a week is more than enough.

My ultimate conclusion

After two months of experimenting with castor oil, I'm cautiously positive. It didn't dramatically reduce my hair loss, but my hair feels stronger, looks healthier and I notice less hair in my shower well.

Is it a miracle solution? Absolutely not.

Is it worth a try? For a tenner? Absolutely.

My advice: see castor oil as supportive treatment, not as THE solution. If you have severe hair loss, talk to a dermatologist about proven methods such as minoxidil or finasteride.

But if you're looking for a budget-friendly, natural way to strengthen your existing hair and take care of your scalp? Then castor oil is definitely worth a try.

Give it at least 8 weeks, be consistent, and don't expect miracles. But don't be surprised when, like me, you start to notice a difference.

And hey, if it doesn't work for your hair? You can always use it to make your eyebrows fuller. Or to lubricate that nasty hinge that always squeaks.

Do you have experience with castor oil for your hair? Share your results in the comments! I wonder if you had the same experiences as me, or maybe completely different.

Although this does not prevent further hair loss directly due to the Core Of addressing the problem, it can help you to keep more hair on your head and eventually maintain a fuller hairdo.

If you use only growth stimulating agents, such as Minoxidil Or castor oil for oral use, you fight a battle upstream.

The best strategy, in my opinion, is to limit your hair loss as much as possible by means that androgens tackle directly, so Finasteride and Dutasteride, possibly another Ketoconazole shampoo. And then use growth promoters like Minoxdil in combination with dermarolls.

My Routine

Curious about my personal routine against hair loss? An overview:

Pumpkin seed oil: Twice a week for a natural boost. Try it. here.
Dermapen: Essential for my scalp care and research has shown that it doubles the action of minoxidil. 1x per week 20 min. Available here.
Minoxidil: Only agent that can accelerate and double hair growth.
Daily support for hair growth. At least once every day. Find it here.
Finasteride: The only proven remedy that works against the main cause of hair loss is DHT. Supports in the fight against thinning hair. 0.5mg a day. More info on doctoronline.com.
Haircatcher: Keep track of how much hair you lose. You use this to see if the bahndelingen have any effect. Take a look here.
Pill Splitter: For easy intake and doubling your Finasteride supply. This allows you to split 1 to 5mg pills, to save money. Available here.
Ketoconazole shampoo: For a healthy scalp. 3x a week at the shower. Try it. here.

Always consult your doctor before trying new products!

I've written several articles about hair oil and whether they're really working against hair loss, are you interested in this? Then I recommend you to read on one of the blogs below!

Does rosemary oil work as a cure for hair loss?

Does pumpkin pit oil help as a natural remedy to hair loss?

Does castor oil work as a remedy against hair loss?

Does peppermint oil help to prevent hair loss?

Does mustard oil act as a natural remedy against hair loss?

Does Sesame oil work as a natural alternative to hair loss?

Lavender oil against hair loss! Is it working?

Does Jojoba oil help to prevent hair loss?

Cedar oil: A potential solution to inhibit hair loss?

Is argan oil useful for hair loss?

Is olive oil a natural alternative to hair loss?

Does Coconut Oil help to prevent hair loss?