Castor oil? "What the heck is it and what is it good for!!?"
Honestly, up until about 2 months ago, I would have been asking the same question! And those I’ve spoken to about it since becoming slightly obsessed are either equally as clueless or know it strictly for its benefits associated with hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and skin care.
While castor oil DOES give undeniably amazing results in the beauty arena (especially regarding all things HAIR), its powers do NOT stop there!
The Many Uses for Castor Oil:
- Constipation
- Circulatory Issues
- Digestive Issues
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Acne
- Stretch Marks/Scars
- Muscle Soreness (great as a massage oil too)
- Arthritic Pain
- Dry Skin/Wrinkles
- Brittle Nails
- Oral Hygiene Issues/Oil Pulling
- Ringworm/Fungal Infections
- Inlammatory Skin Coditions (eczema/psoriasis)
- Dry scalp/Hair
- Thinning Hair/Lashes
- Sunburn
- Infertility
- AND MORE!
Say whaaaaat!!? If your reaction to "hearing" this is anything like mine was, you're probably wondering how the "eff" a VEGETABLE OIL (that's been around for centuries mind you!) can be so damn magical and why we haven't all been prescribed to bathe in it! (Fat chance, right?)
Anyway! Not only is it loaded with antioxidants and vitamin e and can penetrate deeper into the dermis and epidermis than any other plant oil, but it also has a high concentration of ricinoleic acid, which gives it antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hydrating, and stimulatory properties. Phew! It truly is one of the most versatile and natural products out there!
With that many tricks up its ancient sleeve, choosing one that is COLD-PRESSED (CP) vs. one that is processed with high heat/chemicals is definitely the way to go if you want to ensure as many of its health and healing properties remain intact.
While there are a few different varieties of castor oil out there- mainly categorized by the method in which the oil is extracted from the castor beans- the benefits provided by each type are mostly the same. For that reason, I’ve chosen to focus solely on the CP variety in an attempt to avoid overwhelm.
So, after reading a TON of reviews on Amazon, I've chosen 5 of the highest-rated CP castor oils that meet most, if not ALL, of these additional criteria:
Checklist For Buying Cold-Pressed Castor Oil Online:
- Cold-Pressed (CP)
- USDA Certified Organic Castor Oil
- 100% Pure Castor Oil (No added ingredients)
- Hexane-Free
- Glass Bottle
- Cruelty-Free (BONUS!)
THE GOODS
Top 5 Cold-Pressed Castor Oils
Full Disclosure: WholisticHealthJunkie.com is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, meaning that any links you click below may result in commissions at no extra cost to you. And now that THAT'S out of the way...Happy Scrolling! ;)
The "Addictive" Details
Looking for an organic, hexane-free, CP castor oil that is 100% pure and cruelty-free? In a 32 oz bottle, this high-quality oil checks all the boxes and may be the perfect choice if you plan to use it for more than just hair growth and lashes. The more surface area you cover, the more you'll uplevel your health with this “more for your money” CP Castor Oil!
Officially "Hooked"
"I have bought this castor oil twice. It’s organic, which is important to me. I use it for everything, my hair and skin. It works great as a facial moisturizer. It’s all I use now. It makes my skin look amazing, it plumps up those fine lines. It makes a huge difference!! I also use on my hair. It has helped to make my hair grow and fill
I’m the thinning spots. I know it’s not just my imagination because after using it on my eyelashes I can see the difference!! I do not need mascara to see my lashes. It’s amazing how much longer they are after using castor oil on them.
It’s a great product and the price is amazing! Will be buying again😊
With over 38,000 reviewers, 82% of which gave it 5 stars, this one definitely deserves a spot in the top 5!" -Amazon Reviewer
The "Addictive" Details
Despite only getting 2oz of oil, making it an ideal choice if you're after thicker brows, longer lashes, or smooth/clear facial skin, she still meets all the basic requirements- CP, Organic, hexane-free, 100% pure, and in a glass bottle.
The dropper that comes in the cap is ideal for applying to nails and- even MORE fun- they've included an eyelash and eyebrow kit! All of that plus a 365-day purity guarantee sweetens the deal for sure!
Officially "Hooked"
"I used to use lash growth serums, such as rodan in fields and babe lash, and when I stopped using them all of my lashes fell out in sections. It happened in both eyes and it would go back-and-forth between my eyes. Nothing I did would help my lashes stay and not fall out, and nothing would make them grow if I wasn’t using those serum‘s. I saw this on Amazon And decide to take him in a try. The first picture you can see I have a huge section no eyelashes and that was on June 1, 2022. The second picture is today August 3, 2022. I use it every night all my lashes And none of them have fallen out since I started using it. It’s not only helped with new growth but for my lashes done off all out. Love that it’s all natural too unlike lash serums! Absolutely recommend it! The bottom will last soo long." -Amazon Reviewer
69,000 reviews y'all! And 69% of them are 5 stars! She sure does seem to make up for her small size with quality!
The "Addictive" Details
This one is not only CP, hexane-free, organic, and pure... it also checks off the bonus boxes of being cruelty-free and vegan! Exciting, I know! This WOULD have been a no-brainer purchase for me if I hadn't realized last minute that (wah-wah) it comes in a PLASTIC bottle! What in the WHY!!? #DealBreaker for this health junkie! However...
Officially "Hooked"
"I’ve dyed my hair frequently (every month or so) with box dye up until recently, which was really bad for my hair. It started getting very dull and thin with no volume, and my hair fell out much easier than before. However, I finally started investing in hair care and dying it less often, and now my hair feels amazing! This oil is extremely nourishing and moisturizing for your head and hair, and it helped me produce stronger hair follicles after years of damage. It might not be the easiest to apply, but you can thin it out by mixing it with other products. I personally just slather it on on its own and leave it for a few hours before washing it off. Can’t thank it enough! My hair is smooth, shiny, and hydrated thanks to the oil." -Amazon Reviewer
Over 56,000 reviewers have purchased this castor oil despite the plastic. In fact, 74% still rated it as 5 stars.
That being said, the people have spoken and at that price point.... I figured I’d let it slide in not-so-under-the-radar and give it a spot in the top 5. Just keep the plastic in mind as something to consider. :)
The "Addictive" Details
This is only a 4oz bottle but it comes with not 1 but 2 extra applicators pre-filled with additional castor oil- one for brows and another for lashes! Of course, it can also be used on hair or anything else castor oil is beneficial for but its smaller size makes it ideal for travel.
Officially "Hooked"
"I really wish I had thought to take a before picture. After starting chemotherapy in February, not only did I lose all of my hair, but I lost almost all of my eyebrows and many of my eyelashes. I didn't really have super high hopes for my eyebrows because they were already somewhat sparse from a thyroid issue. But, believe it or not, about 2-3 weeks after I started using this (I put it on at night before bed), I noticed regrowth everywhere. My eyebrows are probably better than they've been in 20 years. I haven't been as faithful in using them on my eyelashes, so that's on me. Don't hesitate to buy this product. It's so reasonably priced, and is a huge bottle that you likely will not use in its entirety. What a great purchase!" -Amazon Reviewer
Over 7,000 reviewers and 63% feel it's 5-star worthy! And so do I considering it meets every criteria, including being cruelty-free and vegan!
The "Addictive" Details
The brand I use personally, this one ticks off all the boxes for sure! They don't shy away from talking about some of the MANY other health and healing benefits castor oil is capable of outside of hair and skin care.
Officially "Hooked"
"I love this castor oil and trust the source! How it's processed makes a difference in the results you get! I've used this oil for years w/a castor oil pad for detoxing my liver. I recently began using castor oil for oil pulling and love it! And I also use castor oil to wash and moisturize my face. I love how soft my skin is now and how wonderful to be in winter with no dry skin!" -Amazon Reviewer
Perhaps the fact that it's a wee-bit more expensive than many of the other options on Amazon is why this only has a total of 350 reviews BUT...82% of them are 5 stars! That counts!
And here's a little fun fact: the founder of this brand, Dr. Marisol Teijeiro, brought to market the first "less-messy and reusable" castor oil PACK in order to make this method of self-care a little more practical and manageable.
The first few times I tried using a pack... let's just say, "the struggle was REAL!" So, when I learned of THESE I was all over it! Now I can do life while soaking up all the goodness. Shoot, I even SLEEP in mine! #GameChanger
Or, you can get it bundled with the oil here: https://bit.ly/3QXhr1Y You ARE welcome! ;)
FAQ's
What is a castor oil PACK?
A castor oil pack is a compress made of absorbent material (usually cotton or wool) saturated with oil that you place on your body, cover with plastic wrap, and leave in place for at least 30 minutes. Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle over it can help with absorption and efficacy.
Is castor oil really effective?
Yes, castor oil is definitely effective! For generations, it has been used as a healing remedy for a variety of conditions.
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This makes it ideal for treating conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and neuralgia. Additionally, ricinoleic acid has been shown to boost immunity and fight infection.
The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of castor oil make it useful in treating skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also be helpful in healing wounds and easing uncomfortable symptoms caused by aging or sun damage.
Is castor oil better cold-pressed?
Some say it's better than regular castor oil. CP castor oil is retrieved via a method that preserves the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids in the oil.
Can you ingest cold-pressed castor oil?
Castor oil is generally safe to consume, although it may cause some mild side effects such as diarrhea, cramps, or nausea.
How do you use castor oil for hair growth?
There are several ways of adding castor oil into your hair care regimen. The most popular way is to massage it into the scalp.
Another way to apply castor oil to your hair is by adding it to your shampoo or conditioner. You can also find castor oil capsules, which can be taken orally to promote overall health and wellness (including hair health). Speak with your doctor before taking any supplements.
What is the difference between castor oil and cold-pressed castor oil?
CP castor oil is extracted from the castor seeds using a cold-pressing method whereas the more processed varieties use heat/chemicals.
What does it mean if castor oil is cold-pressed?
Cold-pressing the castor seeds is said to yield a higher quality oil with more of its natural healing properties intact.
Does cold-pressed castor oil promote hair growth?
Castor oil is high in healthy fats, which are thought to encourage hair growth, keep the scalp healthy, and repair split ends. It is also a natural lubricant, which can help reduce frizz and make your hair look thicker and shinier
Let’s Recap!
In this article, I presented a list of 5 of the best CP castor oils that Amazon has to offer and held each up next to a list of criteria I feel one should use to guide their purchasing decision.
Every product on this list checked all of the boxes except for Sky Organics due to it being bottled in plastic. Should you make the decision to go with it anyway (as MANY have!), switching the oil over to a darker-colored glass bottle as soon as you receive it could help to prevent further leeching of harmful chemicals.
And that there is a wrap on cold-pressed castor oil and the MANY health and beauty benefits it has to offer. Tell me your mind isnt' BLOWN! ;)
Thanks so much for reading! Now go lather up!
