How To Use Castor Oil For Treating Dandruff

Why Is Castor Oil Good For Dandruff?

Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid that works as an excellent antimicrobialⁱ  XMedicines that slow or stop the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans. and fungicidalⁱ  XBiological organisms or chemical compounds carrying antifungal properties that kill fungi or their spores. agent (1), (2). Such antifungal agents may help treat fungal and scalp infections like seborrheic dermatitis (scaly patches on the scalp) (3).

Dandruff is usually triggered by seborrheic dermatitis that affects the areas rich in sebaceous glands. Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by skin inflammation, redness, and flakes (4). If your scalp is infected with the Malassezia fungus, you may experience a dry and flaky scalp (5). Also, having dry skin causes white flakes, which, in turn, may result in dandruff (6).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the omega-9 fatty acids in the castor oil may help moisturize your hair and balance your scalp pH. The oil also reduces scalp dryness and itchiness. It balances oil secretion as well and may reduce dandruff.

Isn’t it fascinating to know that a household oil can help solve a major scalp issue? In the following section, we have listed a few of the DIY castor oil treatments that help treat dandruff.

Best Ways To Use Castor Oil For Treating Dandruff

1. Castor Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, And Tea Tree Oil

Castor and tea tree oils help fight against dandruff (7). Aloe vera gel acts as a soothing agent and reduces scalp itchiness (8).

What You Need

• Castor oil, 1 ½ tablespoons
• Aloe vera gel, 3 tablespoons
• Tea tree oil, 2 to 3 drops

Process

1. Mix the three oils in a bowl.
2. Apply the mixture to your scalp.
3. Leave it on for about 45 minutes.
4. Cover your head with a shower cap.
5. Wash with a herbal shampoo.
6. Follow this routine thrice a week.

2. Castor Oil, Almond Oil, And Rosemary Oil

Like castor oil, almond oil also helps prevent dandruff by moisturizing your scalp. Almond oil is rich in vitamin E, which may help moisturize your hair (9), (10). Rosemary oil may exhibit antifungal activity against dandruff (11).

What You Need

• Castor oil, 1 tablespoon
• Almond oil, 1 tablespoon
• Rosemary oil, 2 to 3 drops

Process

1. Mix the castor and almond oils in a glass bowl.
2. Heat the mixture in a microwave oven for a few seconds.
3. Add rosemary oil to the mixture.
4. Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp. Leave it on overnight.
5. Follow this routine thrice a week.

3. Castor Oil And Ginger Juice

Ginger juice may seem like a stinky ingredient to put on your hair, but it can do a world of good to your hair. Anecdotal evidence suggests that ginger juice can clear clogged pores and cleanse away dandruff, dirt, and product buildup.

What You Need

• Castor oil, 2 tablespoons
• Ginger juice, 2 tablespoons

Process

1. Mix the castor oil and ginger juice.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Wash with a herbal shampoo.
5. Follow this routine thrice a week.

4. Castor Oil And Argan Oil

Using argan oil on your head can help get rid of your dandruff and give you softer hair. The moisturizing properties of argan oil may help treat dandruff, tame down the frizz, and make your hair look shinier. However, more research is needed in this regard.

What You Need

• Castor oil, 2 tablespoons
• Argan oil, 1 tablespoon

Process

1. Mix the oils in a glass bowl.
2. Heat the mixture in a microwave for a few seconds.
3. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Wash with a mild shampoo.
6. Follow this routine twice a week.

5. Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, And Egg

Castor and coconut oils work synergistically well to deep condition your scalp. Coconut oil has a high affinity for hair proteins, and can easily penetrate the hair shaft (12). Its penetrating powers may get the required nutrients into your hair shaft, preventing a dry scalp, hair loss, and dandruff. Research shows that the application of coconut oil may prevent severe dandruff (13). The protein from the egg can nourish your hair and make it soft and shiny (14).

What You Need

• Castor oil, 1 tablespoon
• Coconut oil, 1 tablespoon
• Egg, 1

Process

1. Whisk the egg, and castor and coconut oils in a bowl.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Wash with cool water and a mild shampoo.
5. Follow this routine once a week.

6. Castor Oil And Olive Oil

Olive oil is a renowned natural hair conditioner (15). In contrast to conventional store-bought conditioners that may potentially congest and irritate your scalp, olive oil effectively moisturizes a dry scalp and alleviates flakiness.

What You Need

• 2 tablespoons of castor oil
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Process

1. Mix both the oils in a bowl.
2. Heat up the blend slightly to make it lukewarm.
3. Apply this warm oil blend to your scalp and gently massage it in with your fingertips in small, circular motions.
4. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
5. Shampoo your hair with your regular shampoo and warm water.
6. Do a final rinse with cold water.
7. Use this treatment once a week

Rayna, a blogger, emphasizes the importance of natural oils in hair care, highlighting their benefits for moisturizing, conditioning, and promoting hair health. In one of her blog posts, she writes, “I use this [castor] oil when massaging my daughter’s edges. I also use this on my ends to seal in moisture as it is so thick, it is amazing for the edges and ends of my hair (i).”

This is how you can use castor oil for treating dandruff. It is essential to choose the right castor oil. In the following section, we have listed the parameters you can consider for choosing the right castor oil.

How To Choose The Right Castor Oil?

Ensure you choose a cold-pressedⁱ  XExtraction of oil or juice using a hydraulic press. Some common cold-pressed oils are coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. castor oil. Check for parameters like purity and grade. Purchase from authorized sellers. Furthermore, ensure the oil is free from hexane (a chemical solvent used to extract oil from the seeds).

• Oil Purity

Always look for 100% pure castor oil free of chemicals, toxins, artificial ingredients, fragrances, flavorants, and alcohol. These ingredients may dry your scalp out and even irritate it.

• Oil Grade

Castor oil is available in two grades AA standard or pale-pressed, and imported. The pale-pressed variant is also known as virgin oil and is processed by pressing the seeds. It is further cold-pressed to get high-quality refined castor oil. Whereas the imported oil variant is prepared by mixing the first batch of pressed seeds with the next batch of seeds.

• Oil Certification

It is another important parameter while choosing castor oil. Always look for that oil with the USDA Certified Organic label. It signifies the oil does not contain any synthetic ingredients.

Did You Know?

There are numerous varieties of castor oil on the market. The most popular ones are Jamaican black castor oil and regular castor oil.

Precautions

Limited research is available on the adverse effects of castor oil. But some anecdotal evidence suggests that castor oil is generally safe for dandruff treatment. However, you could experience some side effects if you are allergic to it (skin redness, itching, swelling, and a burning sensation). Furthermore, it may cause acute hair feltingⁱ  XA rare scalp hair disorder that causes densely tangled hair. It is a common side effect of using castor oil. if not mixed with carrier oils (1). Do a patch test by applying a little castor oil to your forearm. Leave it on for 24 hours to check if you are allergic to it.

Quick Tip

Use caution while applying castor oil to your hair as it is a staining substance that can leave long-lasting stains on clothes.

Infographic: 5 Amazing Ways To Use Castor Oil For Dandruff

Although dandruff is not a serious health concern, it can disrupt the quality of your daily life and affect your mental health. No one wants to be constantly thinking about the irritating flakes on their scalp and shoulders. But, don’t worry. Castor oil may help. Check out the infographic below to learn more.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave castor oil overnight?

Yes, you can leave castor oil in your hair overnight to enhance your hair growth and make your hair stronger and healthier.

Do you put castor oil on wet or dry hair?

It does not matter if your hair is damp or dry as long as you apply castor oil to clean hair. Nevertheless, damp hair tends to absorb oils better.

Does castor oil regrow hair?

Castor oil has not been proven to have any significant effect on hair growth. Some people claim that applying castor oil once a week can promote growth that is 3 to 5 times the average rate. However, there is no scientific proof to back this up.

Does castor oil darken hair?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that using castor oil regularly can make your hair appear darker. It is also regarded as a fantastic method of reducing the rate of premature graying. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Meena KonadaMBBS, DDVL

     

Dr. Meena Konada is a board-certified dermatologist with 9 years of experience. She is a public health nutrition graduate from New Jersey, USA. She specializes in aesthetics and trichology and is a practicing consultant in one of the internationally renowned skin clinics in Hyderabad, India. She believes in a holistic and patient-centric approach to develop customized treatment plans for her...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach. Her passion for and understanding of all things related to skin, hair, and beauty propelled her to pursue a career in writing....more