Castor Oil for Hair, Eyebrows & Eyelashes: Complete Guide (Cold-Pressed vs Hexane-Extracted)

Quick answer: Castor oil (arandi oil) is a thick, deeply moisturising oil made up of about 90% ricinoleic acid. It is best used on dry hair lengths and ends, eyebrows and eyelashes, and mixed with a lighter oil for scalp massage. Choose a cold-pressed, hexane-free, certified organic castor oil, because many cheap castor oils are extracted with a petroleum solvent.

What is castor oil?

Castor oil is pressed from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), grown widely in India, which is the world's largest producer. Its main fatty acid, ricinoleic acid, makes the oil unusually thick and gives it strong moisturising properties. In India it has been used for generations in Ayurvedic hair and skin care.

Cold-pressed vs hexane-extracted castor oil

	Cold-pressed, hexane-free	Hexane / solvent-extracted
How it's made	Seeds pressed mechanically, no heat	Seeds soaked in hexane, a petroleum solvent
Residues	None	Trace solvent residues possible
Nutrients	Natural nutrients largely preserved	Some lost to heat and refining
Cost	Higher	Lower, which is why it's common

If a label doesn't say “cold-pressed” and “hexane-free”, assume it may be solvent-extracted.

Castor oil for hair

Castor oil coats and conditions the hair shaft, helping to reduce dryness, split ends and breakage, which makes hair look thicker and fuller. Because it is so thick, a little goes a long way:

1. Warm a few drops between your palms.
2. Work it through the lengths and ends, or mix 1 part castor oil with 2–3 parts lighter oil (such as a rosemary & jojoba hair oil) for the scalp.
3. Leave for 1–2 hours or overnight.
4. Shampoo twice to remove it fully.

Castor oil for eyebrows and eyelashes

Castor oil is a popular night-time conditioner for brows and lashes. Using a clean spoolie or cotton bud, apply a very thin layer along the brows and the base of the upper lashes, keeping it out of the eyes. Wash your face in the morning. Patch test first, and stop if you notice irritation.

Castor oil for skin and nails

A drop of castor oil massaged into cuticles helps soften dry, cracked skin around the nails. On the body, mix a few drops into your moisturiser for very dry areas such as elbows, knees and heels.

How to avoid the sticky feel

• Use less than you think: 3–5 drops is enough for the lengths.
• Mix it with a lighter oil for the scalp.
• Apply to slightly damp hair so it spreads more easily.
• Shampoo twice.

Careberry Organic Castor Oil

Careberry Organic Castor Oil is 100% pure, cold-pressed and hexane-free, with no additives, preservatives or fragrance. It is UKCert certified organic, AYUSH-licensed and made in India, available in 200 ml and 100 ml. For a complete routine, pair it with our Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Oil in the Rosemary + Castor Hair Growth Combo, or try the Castor Oil + Neem Wood Comb set.

FAQs

Is castor oil the same as arandi oil?

Yes. Arandi is the Hindi name for the castor plant, so arandi oil and castor oil are the same thing.

Can I use castor oil every day?

On skin and nails, yes. On hair, 2–3 times a week is enough, because it is heavy and needs to be washed out.

Is castor oil safe for eyelashes?

A very small amount applied to the lash line is widely used and generally well tolerated. Keep it out of your eyes, and stop if you notice redness or irritation.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.