It’s a truth that as you age, the hair on your head, eyebrows, and particularly your eyelashes begin to thin. Since the majority of us desire long, thick, complete eyelashes, we want to purchase eyelash extensions, falsies, volumizing mascaras, and even lash-boosting supplements to get a mile-long fringe. Among the most underrated ways to get better-looking lashes is with castor oil. It’s long been used for its lash-boosting abilities, making castor oil for eyelash growth a go-to treatment. But using it on the eyelashes works in a different way than eyelash serums, so there’s plenty to unload if you want to provide it a shot. We tapped 2 skin doctors and a trichologist for their specialist insight and the reality about using castor oil for eyelash growth.
What Is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is originated from castor beans from the Ricinus communis plant. It has a long skincare history dating back to ancient Egypt and India for its various health, appeal, and skin advantages. As Dr. Garshick explains, the Ricinus communis plant is abundant in protein, anti-oxidants, nutrients, and fats, which makes castor oil beneficial for moisturizing the skin, scalp, and hair.
Benefits of Castor Oil for Eyelash Growth
Despite the fact that there’s a great deal of chatter surrounding castor oil and its ability to grow longer, more powerful, thicker lashes, reality be informed, the oil itself can’t physically grow much better eyelashes. Castor oil can assist strengthen the eyelashes and make them appear thicker. According to Brown, castor oil contains 90 percent ricinoleic acid, which is high in triglycerides to help hydrate and strengthen the eyelashes. “Castor oil likewise contains omega-6 fatty acids, which might help enhance hair health.” While no studies show that emollient-rich castor oil helps eyelashes to grow, Dr. Brown states using the oil on the lashes can help them appear fuller. “A research study reported that castor oil helps the “appeal” of hair, which may be why it helps the eyelashes to look fuller. Other research study found that ricinoleic acid might act as a prostaglandin D2 inhibitor, suggesting that it may help prevent loss of hair.”
Friese adds that the naturally hydrating nature of castor oil can help create a healthy environment for eyelash development. Still, using castor oil routinely on the eyelashes nurtures the hair, which Dr. Garshick shares will leave them more powerful and healthier. “Anecdotally, individuals have actually observed improvement in their lashes because castor oil has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties,” she includes. Using castor oil to the eyelashes can improve their present state, potentially avoiding the delicate eyelash hairs from breaking.
How to Use Castor Oil on Your Eyelashes
There are two methods to use castor oil to help grow eyelashes: applying straight natural castor oil directly to the eyelashes or using a product including the oil as a key active ingredient. Friese prefers straight castor oil because “you understand exactly what components you are utilizing.”
For castor oil newbies, Dr. Brown suggests always performing a spot test initially by using a small amount of oil to the upper arm’s within and covering it with a bandage for a few days. If redness or inflammation establishes under the plaster, the client likely has an allergy to it. “Even though castor oil is present in numerous cosmetics and skin care products and is considered usually safe, some patients might establish an allergy to it in time.”
If you pick the diy path, use a top quality cold-pressed organic castor oil that isn’t ended. Friese suggests putting the oil onto a Q-tip or a clean, fresh mascara or spoolie brush and after that applying it to tidy eyelash hairs free of makeup. “Glide the Q-tip or brush along the upper and lower lash lines, and coat each lash with the oil. Do this before bed to give the oil adequate time to permeate the lashes.”
Take care not to have too heavy of a hand and overload the hairs or surrounding skin with oil since too much of it can possibly clog the surrounding pores, leading to blocked pores or milia. Come early morning, wash your face well and remove any residue from the eyelashes and eye area with micellar water.
For the majority of people, castor oil is a safe and natural alternative to artificial ingredients used to grow eyelashes. Naturally, there are a couple of circumstances where you’ll want to avoid utilizing castor oil completely, like if your skin is inherently sensitive or you are prone to developing styes in your eyes. It’s also best to bypass utilizing castor oil on your eyelashes if your eyes or the surrounding skin are inflamed or infected or you have a history of contact allergic reactions or allergies.