Castor Oil For Eyebrows & Eyelashes: How To Use & Side Effects

Not all of us are born with thick and beautiful eyebrows, but that does not mean you cannot get the eyebrow thickness that you desire! There is a natural solution. You can use castor oil for enhanced eyebrow health. This is a popular home remedy for everyone who longs for power brows like Cara Delevingne.

Most beauty bloggers recommend castor oil for thickening of 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, strengthening hair follicles, 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).

So, can castor oil actually help regrow eyebrows naturally or attain thicker eyelashes? Anecdotal evidence has mixed reviews. For some people, castor oil has a nourishing effect and works like magic to promote hair growth, while others don’t notice any dramatic changes. Nonetheless, it continues to be a popular cosmetic oil in natural beauty routines. 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.

Little Latina, a YouTuber, shared her experience of using castor oil to grow her eyelashes. She said, “My eyelashes look so good with them. It brought them so much growth. So much thickness and really rejuvenated them. It gave them the length that they were missing (i).”

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 retain natural antioxidants, have similar properties, and can promote hair growth. Now, let’s see how you can use castor oil in your eyelash and eyebrow care routine.

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.

Quick Tip

You can warm up pure castor oil before applying it on your eyebrows and lashes. Warming up the oil loosens its thick consistency, making it easier to apply.

Castor Oil for Eyebrows

1. Castor Oil And Vaseline

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon castor oil
• ½ teaspoon Vaseline
• 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip
• 1 bowl

Method

1. Mix both ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth paste.
2. Dip the spoolie brush or Q-tip into the mixture.
3. Apply it thoroughly on your eyebrows. Make sure it does not drip.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Wash the next day.

How Often?

Use it every night to reduce eyebrow hair loss and get thicker brows.

2. Castor Oil And Aloe Vera For Eyebrows

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
• 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip
• 1 bowl

Method

1. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl.
2. Dip the spoolie brush or Q-tip into the mixture.
3. Apply it on your eyebrows.
4. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.

How Often?

Every night.

3. Castor Oil And Glycerin For Eyebrows

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• ½ teaspoon glycerin
• 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip
• 1 glass jar

Method

1. Mix the ingredients and store the mixture in the glass jar.
2. Dip the spoolie brush or Q-tip into the mixture.
3. Apply it thoroughly on your eyebrows.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Wash off the next morning.

How Often?

Every night.

4. Castor Oil And Rosemary Oil

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• 1-2 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 1 spoolie brush or Q-tip
• 1 glass jar

Method

1. Mix both the oils in the glass jar.
2. Use a spoolie brush or Q-tip to apply the mixture to your eyebrows.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Wash it off in the morning.

How Often?

2-3 times a week

Did You Know?

You can add coffee and jarilla to castor oil. Research shows that coffee and jarilla can stimulate growth of eyebrows and eyelashes (4).

Castor Oil for the Eyelashes

You can try castor oil for eyelashes in the following ways.

1. Pure Castor Oil

You Will Need

• Castor oil (enough for the lashes)
• 1 spoolie brush or mascara wand

Method

1. Dip the spoolie brush into the castor oil.
2. Apply castor oil to your eyelashes the way you would apply mascara. Be careful not to get the oil in your eyes.
3. Apply on the upper as well as lower lashes.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Wash it off the next day.

How Often?

Every night.

2. Castor Oil And Almond Oil

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon almond oil
• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 spoolie brush
• 1 glass jar

Method

1. Pour the oils into the glass jar and mix well.
2. Dip the spoolie brush into the jar.
3. Apply the oil blend on both the upper and lower lashes.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Wash off the next day.

How Often?

Every night.

3. Castor Oil And Olive Oil

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 spoolie brush
• 1 glass jar

Method

1. Pour the oils in the jar and mix well.
2. Dip the spoolie brush and coat your lashes with the oil mixture (both eyelids).
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Wash off the next day.

How Often?

Every night.

4. Castor Oil And Coconut Oil

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1 spoolie brush
• 1 glass jar

Method

1. Pour the oils into a glass jar and mix well.
2. Use a spoolie brush to apply the oil to your eyelashes carefully.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Wash it off the next morning with lukewarm water.

How Often?

3 times a week

Before you use the remedies given above, there are a few things to keep in mind for the safe and effective usage of castor oil. Take a look at them in the next section.

Best Practices For Application On Eyebrows And Eyelashes

Here are the best practices you can follow for the application of castor oil on eyebrows and eyelashes:

• Use a clean applicator for each application to avoid introducing bacteria and germs, which can lead to eye infections.
• Avoid dipping a used applicator or your fingers into the castor oil bottle, as it can lead to contamination.
• If you are warming the oil slightly before application to enhance absorption, test it on your wrist to make sure it is just warm and not hot.
• Apply the oil at night, allowing it to work without interference from makeup or environmental factors during the day.
• Use the oil consistently for at least 4 weeks to start seeing results.

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 to get thicker eyebrows and eyelashes. Here are a few points to consider.

Castor Oil: Possible Side Effects And Things To Remember Before Using

Castor oil is generally non-toxic, but it 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.

If you are allergic to castor oil, it is best to not use it at all. In such a case, you can try the alternatives recommended in the following section.

Alternatives To Castor Oil For Eyebrows And Eyelashes

Here are some alternatives to castor oil you can try:

• Coconut Oil: It is rich in fatty acids and can penetrate the hair shaft to nourish it from within (5). You can apply a small amount of it to your brows or lashes each night.
• Almond oil: It is rich in vitamin E and omega fatty acids, which help nourish and moisturize hair (5). You can apply the oil directly to your brows and lashes.
• Rosemary Essential Oil: Research suggests that rosemary is rich in antioxidants and may stimulate hair growth and improve thickness (6). If you are using rosemary essential oil, dilute it with a carrier oil like jojoba or olive before applying it to your lashes and brows.

Infographic: DIY Castor Oil Remedies For Eyelashes

Since castor oil doesn’t contain any potentially harmful compounds, it can be used directly. However, this oil can also be mixed with other components to maximize the benefits. Check out the infographic below for some DIY eyelash remedies with castor oil.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

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, you may use them together for their moisturizing benefits for your lashes. 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.

Can castor oil help with filling in sparse areas of the eyebrows?

Since castor oil may help boost hair growth, it may aid in filling in the sparse areas of the eyebrows (7). However, conduct a patch test before use to ensure there are no allergic reactions.

Should I cleanse my eyebrows before applying castor oil?

Yes, it is best to thoroughly clean and wash the eyebrows before applying castor oil for effective results.

Illustration: Castor Oil For Eyebrows & Eyelashes: How To Use & Side Effects

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. K. Harish KumarMD DVL

   

Dr. Harish has 14 years of experience in the field of dermatology. He did his MD (DVL) from Osmania Medical College in 2007. He worked as a consultant for Kaya Skin Clinic and also as a principal Investigator for 4Front Research.

Read full bio of Dr. K. Harish Kumar

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.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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