The best castor oils for hair have always enjoyed equal fanfare from modern-day scientists, and traditional ayurvedic and holistic medicine experts. According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, people prefer castor oils for hair treatment because of their invigorating hydrating properties and ability to act as an impregnable barrier against accelerated water loss due to extensive exposure to sunlight and environmental pollution.

Moreover, our firsthand usage of a few castor oils for hair growth from our top recommendations, has made us realize that it helps to improve hair follicle moisture retention and inhibit hair felting with regular usage. 

Castor oils are prepared by the extraction of castor seeds through the castor plants, which usually varies due to the location of the place. The extracted seeds are processed by the cold press method or any commercial method of preparation and the oil is extracted later to be manufactured. 

Types of Castor Oil 

For someone new to exploring the wide range of oils that suit all scalp types and hair textures, you might have heard of castor oil and Jamaican castor oil. Regular castor oil has a lighter consistency and is odorless, whereas Jamaican black castor oils have a nutty aroma and are darker in color. But apart from the texture of the two oils, the preparation of the two oils also varies. Jamaican oil includes premium quality castor seeds that are toasted to an exorbitant range of temperatures to activate and release its pregnant oils, whereas, in regular castor oils, the seeds are processed right after extraction without any exposure to heat. 

But, nobody would like their oil running all over their foreheads, aggravating itching and accelerating redness. Hence, after trying and testing all the popular options in the market, our team of in-house hair care experts has curated a list of the best castor oils that work wonderfully for the hair. 

Scroll away to find your most compatible option. 

• 1
  Best Overall

  KATE BLANC COSMETICS Castor Oil

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Lustrous hair, beautiful long lashes, and fuller-looking naturally chiseled eyebrow arches are now achievable with this oil by Kate Blanc cosmetics. Our in-house hair experts believe it would be an understatement to call the product the ‘best castor oil’ because it delivers magical, bewitching results right from the first day of use. The product nourishes and moisturizes parched hair shafts and softens coarse hair. Although the texture of the product may be slightly thick, our in-house skincare experts believe you will not need a moisturizer or a hair serum after using a quarter-sized amount of this magical oil. 

2

Editor’s Pick

Cliganic Organic Castor Oil

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The castor oil for hair growth by Cliganic has a simple ingredient composition devoid of artificial fragrances and colors and thus is suitable for all scalp types. Furthermore, it also helps to strengthen the keratin bonds within the hair shafts and repairs dry and damaged hair without weighing down the hair follicles. Moreover, it also helps to strengthen damaged hair and improve shine. Lastly, it helps moisturize dry and flaky skin and prevents ashy elbows, and is therefore loved by people living in frigid climates.  

3

Best for Shedding Hair

TROPIC ISLE LIVING Black Castor Oil

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Boost the intrinsic collagen in your hair shafts without ingesting supplements with the Tropic Jamaican castor oil for hair growth. It is a naturopath favorite for castor oil hair treatments because it helps to strengthen hair roots and prevents follicle fractures. Furthermore, it is best suited for chemically treated and color-treated hair as it minimizes hair loss and improves hair manageability. Lastly, it is richly invigorated with ricinoleic acid which helps to detoxify the scalp and improves blood circulation and nutritional absorption. 

4

Best for Eyelash and Eyebrow Growth

IQ Natural Jamaican Black Castor Oil

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An oil that is equally efficient as a leave-in conditioner is the IQ natural black castor oil. It helps treat flaky scalp and works great as a beard oil. It also helps to condition malnourished hair and adds strength to brittle shafts thereby improving overall hair strength. Moreover, it also helps to strengthen hair roots and encourages eyelash growth. Furthermore, it also conditions dry and flaky scalp and improves hair elasticity. Lastly, it also helps to add shine to dull and lifeless hair and prevents the aggravation of scalp acne and zits, making it a favorable choice for people with oily scalps.  

5

Best for Teens

HANDCRAFT Organic Castor Oil

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One of the best organic castor oils that can also be used as a potent aid in aromatherapy is this product by handcraft blends. The product helps to seal moisture within the hair shafts and improves hair shaft elongation thereby preventing follicular fractures and shedding. Moreover, it is full of nutrients that help to create a high-definition- lash line. It also has a lightweight, easy penetrable formula that helps to thicken and darken each hair strand. To add on, it helps combat hair thinning and prevents premature greying. Lastly, it has a compact design packaging that makes it a leak and spillage-proof option. 

6

Best for Enhancing Shine

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor

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Another widely applauded Jamaican castor oil for hair growth is this product by Sunny Isle. The product is best suited for all scalp types because it has a medium, non-greasy texture that helps to hydrate dry scalp, repair damaged hair, and treat flaky skin. Additionally, it strengthens the hair from the roots to the tips and prevents hair follicle shedding. The best part is that it conditions the infected and flaky scalps and nourishes the lost moisture due to excessive environmental stressors and thus is a naturopath favorite for treating problems like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. 

7

Best Multipurpose

HERITAGE STORE Castor Oil

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Get social media flaunt-worthy hair by implementing the Heritage store castor oil into your self-care regime. The product is a storehouse of omega and ricinoleic fatty acids that help to repair damaged hair shafts and restore hair elasticity. Moreover, it also helps treat scalp inflammation and curbs visible signs of redness. Furthermore, it provides a bold, fuller-looking appearance to thin and flimsy shafts without making them prone to residual accumulation. To add on, it is available in an eco-friendly PCR bottle which makes it one of the most environmentally available choices. 

8

Best for Treating Bald Patches

home health Original Castor Oil

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This product by Home Health is one of the best castor oils for hair growth and thickness and is also efficient as a defrizzer. Moreover, it is prepared by the age-old trustworthy method of cold pressing that helps derive maximum nutrients and fatty acids. The best part is that it helps to seal split ends, moisturize and condition dry shafts, and replenish the scalp's natural oils without causing scalp acne. Furthermore, it is great for treating receding hair and bald spots as it revitalizes dry scalp and promotes better nutritional assimilation. Lastly, it is free of phthalates, DLA, and colors and hence suited for all scalp types. 

9

Best for Improving Lustre

HAIR THICKNESS MAXIMIZER Jamaican Black Castor Oil

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Made from the most premium quality castor beans and then slow boiled to obtain maximum nutritional content is the Hair thickness Jamaican black castor oil. It has an easily absorbent feathery weight texture that easily penetrates through the dry and flaky scalp and reduces dandruff. Furthermore, the product helps to revive dullness and treat brittle hair without making the hair clumpy. To add on, it helps enrich the scalp's natural oils and thus promotes better absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Lastly, it helps to curb signs of redness and inflammation without making the scalp prone to infections.

10

Best for Premature Greying

Eve Hansen Organic Castor Oil

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The Eva Hansen Organic Castor Oil is rich in powerful nutrients fatty acids, and minerals like vitamin E that help to encourage brow growth and prevent the lash follicles from combating follicular fractures. To add on, the product helps soften coarse and rough hair and conditions dehydrated shafts without making the hair look too oily. Moreover, it helps to stimulate hair growth without causing any allergies or infections. Lastly, it is devoid of parabens and sulfates and hence suited for people with sensitive scalps and underlying medical conditions. 

11

Seven Minerals Jamaican Black Castor Oil

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A product that not only conditions and repairs damaged hair but also improves blood circulation to the scalp is the Seven minerals black castor oil. The product forms a protective layer on the flimsy and brittle hair shafts and prevents free radical damage. Moreover, it helps to calm redness, irritation, and inflammation and strengthens hair shaft roots. Lastly, it promotes better scalp circulation and elongation of the hair shaft and enhances hair and scalp health. Lastly, it is prepared with the traditionally roasted cold-pressed method and has a simple ingredient composition suited for lovers of naturopathy. 

12

HAIR CHEMIST Natural Castor Hair Oil

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Restore the health of your thinning hair without any supplements with the hair chemist castor oil. The product has a potent vitamin-rich pro-growth formula that helps seal split ends, tame unruly frizz and counteract pesky flakes without leaving any greasy residue. Moreover, it helps to stimulate hair growth on bald patches and helps effectively conceal receding hair lines. Furthermore, it prevents hair follicle fractures and breakage due to excessive friction between the hair shafts and helps to resolve complex tangles. Lastly, it is available at a pocket-friendly pricing of less than 10 dollars which makes it one of the best choices for people of all ages. 

13

MAJESTIC PURE Organic Castor Oil

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Soften your rough hair shafts and give it an alluring radiance with the Majestic pure castor oil. The product is a treasure trove of nutrients that help to improve and improve scalp health and make the hair soft and shiny. Moreover, it also moisturizes dry shafts and improves hair elasticity. Furthermore, it is devoid of artificial additives like colors which makes it favorable for people with genetically inert allergies. Lastly, it is available at a pocket-friendly price of less than 20 dollars and hence loved by teens. 

The advantages of including castor oil in your haircare regime may be many, but as the requirements of an individual tend to vary as per the scalp type and hair texture, here are a few points that you can consider while looking for options. 

1. Composition of Ingredients
   Although the above-mentioned options of castor oils have a simple ingredient composition devoid of artificial fragrances, colors, and dyes. It is important on the end users' part to check the product labels for sulfates, parabens, phthalates, alcohol, and minerals as it would trigger intrinsic allergies and make the scalp susceptible to extrinsic infections, thereby leading to hair shaft shedding. 
2. Texture
   The texture of the oils should be lightweight, non-greasy, and easily absorbent so that with minimal massaging it can deeply penetrate the hair shafts of people suffering from low porosity hair. 
3. Standard Value of Saponification
   Castor oil should have a standard value of saponification that makes the removal of the hair oil easy without needing any implementation of shampoos with harsh chemicals or prolonged washing as it deprives the scalp of its natural oils. Also, if the product is too greasy, it may ruin the hair texture and make the hair look more clumpy. 
4. Underlying Medical Conditions
   As castor oil is prepared out of seed derivatives it is best advised to avoid it in case of people with contact dermatitis as it would trigger inflammation and allergies. Moreover, it is advised to try a patch test behind the ear to check whether the product causes any allergies or not. 

While social media may be flooded with tutorials on how to apply and massage oil the right way here are a few tips you can keep in mind while using castor oil. 

Here are a few ways to massage castor oil the right way. 

1. As hot oil massages have proved to be effective when compared to oils at room temperature, it is always advisable to warm the oil before application. 
2.  Start applying the oil from the scalp slowly towards the tips of your hair 
3. Leave it for 15-20 minutes 
4. Steam your hair with a steamer to facilitate enhanced moisturization 
5. Wash it with a compatible shampoo and conditioner 
6. Let it dry for a few minutes and then use a hair dryer to dry it.  

CONCLUSION 

Now that we have lovely recommendations of the best castor oils for hair, choosing the best one compatible with your scalp can be a brainstorming hustle. Hence, please go through our buying guide before making a purchase. However, for treating all major hair care concerns our experts vouch for Cliginac Organic Castor Oil as it helps to strengthen keratin bonds and improve hair porosity, whereas for treating premature greying and aging-related concerns one should not look further than the MAJESTIC PURE Organic Castor Oil. On the other hand for treating shedding hair, the TROPIC ISLE LIVING Black Castor Oil is a non-negotiable pick.