Castor oil is one of the oldest oils in the self-care cabinet. From ancient Egypt to Ayurvedic India, people have worked it into their skin, combed it through their hair and made it part of their evening rest. Today it’s back on bathroom counters for the same reasons: it’s simple, it’s pure, and it gives you a reason to slow down.
Here’s what makes castor oil different, and three easy ways to use it.
What Makes Castor Oil Different
About 90% of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid you won’t find in this concentration in almost any other oil. It’s what gives castor oil its famously thick, cushiony texture and that rich, lasting feel on the skin.
That texture is why people reach for it to:
- Moisturize and soften skin, and soften the look of fine lines
- Condition hair, brows and lashes
- Turn a castor oil pack into a calming nightly ritual
- Make massage feel slow, warm and grounding
1. A Nightly Facial Massage
A few drops of a pure, single-ingredient oil and two minutes of massage can do more for dry, dull-looking skin than a shelf full of products.
- Warm 2 to 3 drops between your fingertips.
- Press into clean, slightly damp skin.
- Massage in slow, upward strokes along your jaw, cheeks and forehead.
- Leave it on overnight and wake up to soft, comfortable skin.
2. The Castor Oil Pack
The castor oil pack is the ritual most people fall in love with. Pour one tablespoon of oil onto the soft cotton side of your castor oil pack, wrap it around your belly or liver area, and lie back for an hour. No heating pad needed; the pack holds in your own body warmth.
Most people use their pack three to four nights a week. It’s an hour of screen-free rest that belongs entirely to you. For every detail, read our step-by-step castor oil pack guide.
3. A Deep-Conditioning Hair Treatment
Castor oil is a rich conditioning treatment for dry ends and a dry-feeling scalp, leaving hair looking glossy and smooth.
- Warm a small amount in your hands. Because it’s thick, many people mix it with a lighter oil like jojoba.
- Massage into your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes, then smooth any extra through your ends.
- Leave it on for 1 to 2 hours, or overnight with a towel over your pillow.
- Wash out with a gentle shampoo. You may need to shampoo twice.
Before You Begin
Castor oil is for external use only. Patch test on a small area first, and stop if irritation occurs. Please don’t use castor oil or castor oil packs during pregnancy, and check with your healthcare provider first if you’re breastfeeding or under medical care.
Why Elham’s
Many castor oils are extracted with hexane, a petroleum-based solvent, to squeeze more oil out of every seed. Ours never is. Every bottle of Elham’s Organic Castor Oil is:
- 100% organic
- Cold-pressed and hexane-free
- Bottled in amber glass to protect it from light
Start with one ritual, make it yours, and build from there.