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 antimicrobial and fungicidal 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 areas rich in oil glands. It causes 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 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.

Isnt it fascinating to know that a household oil can help solve a major scalp issue? In the following section, we have listed a few 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 that 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 you a world of good. 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 you get rid of dandruff and give you softer hair. The moisturizing properties of argan oil may help treat dandruff, tame down 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 together 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 help offer the required nutrients to prevent dry scalp and dandruff. Some research shows that application of coconut oil may prevent severe dandruff conditions (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.

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.

How To Choose The Right Castor Oil?

Ensure you choose a cold-pressed 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.

Though castor oil helps treat dandruff, excess use may lead to certain adverse effects. Find out more in the next section.

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 severe hair-felting 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.

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.

References:

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Arshiya Syeda

Arshiya Syeda is an editor at StyleCraze. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and... more