Most beauty bloggers recommend castor oil to get thicker brows and lashes. However, let us find out if this claim has any scientific merit. Keep reading!
Does Castor Oil Help Your Eyebrows And Eyelashes Grow?
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor or Ricinus communis plant. The seeds, also called castor beans, contain ricin, which is a toxic enzyme. However, after processing, this toxin is deactivated, and the oil is safe to use. Over the years, castor oil has gained the reputation of being the panacea for hair loss. Does it really work? There hasn’t been enough research on the effectiveness of castor oil in promoting hair growth and preventing hair fall or loss. However, ricinoleic acid, a chemical compound that constitutes about 90% of the oil, may help you deal with hair loss (from your eyebrows, lashes, and scalp) (1). A study involving men with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) found that they had high levels of prostaglandin D2 or PGD2 in the scalp. This enzyme inhibits hair growth (2). In another study, researchers found that ricinoleic acid could inhibit PGD2 and help in hair loss treatment (3). Anecdotal evidence has mixed reviews. For some people, castor oil works like magic and promotes hair growth, while a few others don’t notice any dramatic changes. If you want to go ahead and give it a try, here are a few ways you can use it to get thick eyebrows and great eyelashes. But before we get to the remedies, let’s first understand what type of castor oil can help you in this process.
Which Type Of Castor Oil Is Best For The Eyebrows And Eyelashes?
It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices the market has to offer. However, picking just any castor oil will not give you the desired results. Most of the commercially available castor oils contain additives and other oils, which might cause irritation and may not give you the desired results. Hence, pick only:
Cold-pressed castor oil, and Jamaican black castor oil (extracted from roasted castor seeds)
These two types of oils have similar properties and can promote hair growth. Now, let’s see how you can use castor oil for eyebrows and eyelashes.
How To Use Castor Oil For Your Eyebrows And Eyelashes
You may apply pure castor oil to your eyebrows and eyelashes. However, pure castor oil is too thick. If you do not like the sticky consistency, you may mix it with other ingredients (as described in the recipes) and use it.
Castor Oil for Eyebrows
1. Castor Oil And Vaseline
1 teaspoon castor oil ½ teaspoon Vaseline 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip 1 bowl
Every night.
2. Castor Oil And Aloe Vera For Eyebrows
1 tablespoon castor oil 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip 1 bowl
Every night.
3. Castor Oil And Glycerin For Eyebrows
1 tablespoon castor oil ½ teaspoon glycerin 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip 1 glass jar
Every night.
Castor Oil for the Eyelashes
1. Pure Castor Oil
Castor oil (enough for the lashes) 1 spoolie brush or mascara wand
Every night.
2. Castor Oil And Almond Oil
1 tablespoon almond oil 1 tablespoon castor oil 1 spoolie brush 1 glass jar
Every night.
3. Castor Oil And Olive Oil
1 tablespoon castor oil 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 spoolie brush 1 glass jar
Every night. While using castor oil may sound promising, it is also important to note that it has some side effects. Since the efficacy of castor is mostly anecdotal, you need to be careful while using it on your skin. Here are a few points to consider.
Castor Oil: Possible Side Effects And Things To Remember Before Using
Castor oil may cause an allergic reaction. It may result in:
Itching Swelling Skin rashes Redness
These are the commonly reported issues. If you experience any skin reactions, discontinue using castor oil and consult a dermatologist. To avoid these side effects, make sure you:
Do a patch test before using castor oil. Start slowly. Use a small amount of the oil on your skin and then increase the amount gradually as your skin starts getting accustomed to it. Buy only pure, cold-pressed castor oil and not the ones with additives. Often, the additives may also cause skin irritation. Consult a dermatologist before using castor oil on your skin, especially if you have any skin issues (such as dermatitis). Don’t use castor oil without consulting a dermatologist if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
How long does it take for castor oil to work on eyebrows? As per anecdotal evidence, using castor oil on eyebrows may show positive results in 4-6 weeks. Is Vaseline or castor oil better for eyelashes? As per anecdotal evidence, castor oil is better for eyelashes. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) does not support lash growth. However, using them together may keep the lashes moisturized. Vaseline can act as a sealant to lock castor oil in and let it do its job. However, do a patch test before using castor oil and ensure it does not gets into your eyes.
