Buying guide for best castor oil
Castor oil has a rich history of health and beauty use, dating back to ancient Egypt. Some swear by it to make hair shinier and moisturize skin, while others use it to ease constipation or treat wounds. But finding the best castor oil for the task at hand can be daunting.
First off, if you're looking for a castor oil to use as a laxative, you'll need to choose one that's approved for oral use — and most aren't. There are other features to consider, as well, such as the difference between golden castor oil and black castor oil and between cold-pressed and refined castor oil, which we’ll cover in depth below.
We researched more than 25 castor oils before selecting the 10 best. Ultimately, we chose the Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil as our top pick because it's USDA-certified organic and cold-pressed, and it comes from a trusted brand in organic beauty products. We found it excellent for a range of beauty uses and other topical uses.
Which castor oil is best?
Best organic castor oil
What makes our top castor oil stand out is that it's USDA-certified organic, so you can feel confident it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Golden in color, it's cold-pressed, which helps preserve the bioactive compounds that provide a greater level of health benefits.
Available in a 16-ounce bottle, it’s a good midsize, giving you a balance of value and convenience. The bottle is dark to keep ultraviolet rays out, so the oil stays fresher longer.
We think this is a great overall choice for anyone who wants castor oil for any topical use. It's suitable for beauty uses, such as moisturizing skin and conditioning hair, as well as topical pain relief, such as relieving joint pain.
Best castor oil multipack
If you're looking for the best castor oil in a multipack, this one contains three 16-ounce bottles. We like that you get a lot for your money, so if you use castor oil regularly, for instance in hair masks or to rub into joints, it's a great choice that will go a long way.
This classic golden oil is expeller-pressed, which is a similar method to cold pressing. While no external heat is used, friction can cause heat, which may break down the compounds in the oil a little more. However, it's still a gentle extraction process, so you shouldn't worry about the quality of the oil.
This is a good multipurpose choice for skin, hair and other topical uses, and it comes in dark bottles that offer some protection from UV rays to keep the oil fresh. We think it's a solid choice at an affordable price from a reputable brand.
Best castor oil for skin
Whether you want to try castor oil to relieve dry scalp or moisturize skin, this cold-pressed option is of premium quality for all kinds of cosmetic uses. It's golden in color and unrefined, so its bioactive compounds are still intact, boosting its health benefits.
We found this to be the best castor oil for skin not only because it's good for skin care but also because the pump makes it easier to dispense, so you don't have to struggle to get out the right amount when you're removing makeup or moisturizing.
The bottle contains 16 ounces, which is enough to last for a while but isn't so huge that it's unwieldy or inconvenient to store. On the downside, the bottle is clear, so you should keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent the oil from degrading or spoiling.
Best castor oil for hair
The large size of this bottle makes it our choice for the best castor oil for hair. It's great if you want to whip up a lot of castor-oil-based hair masks or use it for regular deep conditioning. Though, of course, it's also suitable for other topical uses.
This golden-hued castor oil is cold-pressed and unrefined, making it a high-quality choice. In fact, some people believe it's among the best castor oil for eyebrows, although there's no proof that castor oil helps with hair regrowth.
It comes in a 32-ounce bottle, so you've got a lot to work with, whatever you choose to use it for. The bottle it comes in is clear, so you'll be best off keeping it in a cabinet to prevent it from spoiling more quickly.
Best food-grade castor oil
If you need a little help getting things moving again, castor oil is known for its laxative effects. While most castor oil is only meant for external use, this drugstore option is food-grade and sold as a laxative.
You get just 6 ounces in a bottle, which is smaller than most, but enough for its intended purpose. The bottle is dark, which keeps UV rays from spoiling and degrading the oil inside. We like that it's odorless and tasteless, so consuming it isn't too awful.
Best black castor oil
Made with a different process than golden castor oil, this black castor oil is touted for its use on hair. It's designed to strengthen hair, as well as nourish it and add shine. It's also said to help relieve a dry and itchy scalp.
It comes in a small 2-ounce bottle, which is great for anyone just looking to try out castor oil without committing. Since the bottle is dark, it keeps the oil inside from degrading in sunlight.
If you're aiming to make your hair look healthier and shinier, we think this is some of the best castor oil for the task at hand.
Best USP-grade castor oil
If you want a castor oil suitable for oral use, as well as topical use, this one is USP-grade. This means it meets or exceeds the United States Pharmacopeia requirements for food and medicinal use. It's golden in color, cold-pressed and unrefined.
The 10-ounce bottle is fairly small, but it's a decent size for a food-grade castor oil. You've got enough to use for a range of oral and topical purposes. Since the bottle it comes in is clear, the contents can be degraded by the sun, so it's best to keep it in a cabinet.
This is among our favorite castor oils due to its versatility. You can use it for oral use — such as a laxative — but it's also good for skin and hair, too.
Best cold-pressed and cold-processed castor oil
You can be sure no heat was used in the making of this castor oil, which is both cold-pressed and cold-processed. That means most of its bioactive compounds should remain intact, making it work more effectively. It's a typical golden castor oil.
With a whopping 32 ounces in a bottle, you won't run out of oil any time soon. Still, it's a lot to commit to if you're new to castor oil and aren't sure if you'll like it. The bottle it comes in is clear, so storing it out of sunlight is essential.
We'd recommend this castor oil to anyone who wants a large volume for a reasonable price. It's a versatile choice for hair, skin and other topical uses.
Best USA-made castor oil
We love that this castor oil has an organic certification, making it a perfect choice for those who want to be certain no pesticides were used. It's made in the United States using the cold-press method to keep its active compounds at full strength.
Its dark glass bottle is sturdy and keeps the sun's rays out to prevent it from degrading or spoiling too quickly. You get 16 ounces, which is enough to last a while without being an overwhelming amount.
We find this a great all-round choice for a range of beauty and health uses. Some buyers find this is the best castor oil for eyelashes — although there's no definitive proof that castor oil boosts eyelash growth.
Best castor oil for hair and skin
This is a therapeutic-grade castor oil that we recommend for both hair and skin. It’s a Jamaican black castor oil, which some anecdotally say is more effective than golden castor oil, but there are no studies to back that up. Filtered for purity, it’s made with fire-roasted castor beans, so the production process is much different from cold-pressed oils.
This bottle contains 8 ounces, but there's also a smaller 2-ounce bottle that's perfect if you just want to sample it. It has a dark finish to the bottle, helping keep the oil inside fresh for longer.
A solid choice for both hair and skin, it nourishes and moisturizes, and some people find it promotes hair growth.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Its chemical composition primarily consists of fatty acids, with ricinoleic acid being the most prominent. Ricinoleic acid is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic effects, according to a number of studies. It also contains oleic and linoleic fatty acids in smaller quantities, but these contribute more to the stability and texture of castor oil than its health properties.
But what about its nutritional profile? Castor oil isn't typically consumed in large quantities for nutritional purposes due to its strong laxative effects, but it does provide essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are important for overall health, supporting various bodily functions including cell membrane structure and hormone production.
Castor oil has a range of uses — which we'll explore in more detail later — including as a hair treatment, skin moisturizer, acne treatment and laxative.
Castor oil features to consider
Cold-pressed
Castor oil can either be cold-pressed or refined. Cold-pressed oil is pricier but generally considered superior. Cold-pressing doesn’t use any heat in the extraction process, so cold-pressed oils contain more bioactive compounds, according to the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
Packaging
As with all plant-based oils, it’s best to choose an oil packaged in a dark glass bottle. If your oil comes in a clear container, you can either transfer it to a dark bottle or keep it stored in a dark, dry, cool cabinet.
Yellow vs. black castor oil
Standard castor oil is yellow or golden in color, but you may also find Jamaican black castor oil during your research. This oil is from the same plant as regular castor oil but processed differently. Instead of cold-pressing the raw beans, the beans are first roasted, then pulverized and boiled to concentrate the oil. The result is a dark brown oil with a somewhat strong odor. While some beauty enthusiasts feel Jamaican black castor oil has more potent health and beauty benefits, there is no proof of this, so the choice is up to you.
Health benefits of castor oil
Castor oil can be used in several ways to improve your health. The oil contains a high concentration of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, stimulating, and hydrating qualities.
Constipation cure
Grandma wasn’t wrong. Castor oil is an excellent remedy for occasional constipation, according to the National Institutes for Health. It works by stimulating muscle contractions in the large intestine, which helps push stool through your digestive system. The usual dose is one tablespoonful taken by mouth. You’ll generally have results within a few hours.
Wound healing
Castor oil has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Studies suggest that it may play a part in improved wound healing. Just apply a few drops of castor oil to a cut or scrape or irritated skin and then cover the wound with a bandage or gauze. Repeat as necessary until your skin heals.
Arthritis relief
Studies suggest that castor oil can help reduce the aching misery of arthritic joints. Some studies involve topical application of castor oil on the joints, while others got patients to take capsules of liquid castor oil.
Induction of labor
Castor oil is believed by some to have the potential to induce labor due to its laxative effects. It is thought to stimulate the intestines, leading to increased contractions in the bowels, which might indirectly stimulate the uterus. As a result, some pregnant individuals have tried using castor oil to induce labor naturally, especially if they're past their due date and looking for ways to encourage the onset of labor.
While this can result in nothing more than diarrhea, at least one study suggests that castor oil not only helps bring on labor but makes it more likely to result in a vaginal birth without intervention. However, given its potential for unwanted and possibly harmful side effects, you should never use castor oil to induce labor without consulting your physician first.
Beauty benefits of castor oil
Castor oil’s rich fatty acids are not only good for the inside of your body but also helpful for beautifying and healing the outside of your body.
Healthy hair
Turn dry, dull hair into a healthy, glossy mane by running a few drops of castor oil through your locks at bedtime, then shampooing in the morning. It has moisturizing properties thanks to the ricinoleic acid it contains, which will improve hair health and shine. However, there's no evidence for the use of castor oil for hair growth.
Acne treatment
Pimples getting you down? Castor oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities may help heal your blemishes. This low-comedogenic oil (meaning it won’t clog your pores) clears away pimples with daily application directly to the sore spots.
Moisturize skin
Castor oil may help with the treatment of dry skin, according to a study published at the NIH. If you have dry, scaly patches of skin, apply a few drops of castor oil once a day to hydrate and rejuvenate your complexion. Use the oil at night, then wash it away in the morning so you won’t have to face the day with shiny skin.
Oil cleansing
Oil cleansing effectively removes makeup, air pollution, skin oils, sweat and other irritants from your skin, leaving behind a clean, healthy and hydrated complexion. Castor oil works well for oil cleansing, which is a simple procedure: massage a few drops of the oil over your face, let the oil work its magic for a minute or so, and then use a washcloth and warm water to cleanse the oil from your face. Now your skin is prepped for your favorite serum or moisturizer.
Castor oil prices
Don’t expect to spend a lot on your bottle of castor oil. Typically, a 16-ounce bottle costs between $10 and $20. A bottle that large should last a long time, making castor oil a cost-effective beauty and health treatment.
FAQ
Q. What does castor oil taste like?
A. Ask a group of people what castor oil tastes like and each person will likely give a different answer. For many, the oil has no flavor at all. Others describe it as tasting like soap or having a flavor reminiscent of strong cooking oil. Still others say it tastes like petroleum. Most agree, however, that the oil has a thick and somewhat unpleasant texture when taken by mouth.
If the flavor bothers you but you want the benefits of the oil for health reasons, go ahead and follow the spoonful of oil with a strong-flavored juice, such as grape or orange, to help wash the taste out of your mouth.
Q. Should I store my castor oil in the refrigerator?
A. There’s no need to refrigerate your castor oil, but it should be kept out of sunlight and away from any heat source. Ideally, you should store the oil in a dry, dark cabinet where it won’t be exposed to humidity or temperature fluctuations. As a general rule, your oil will stay good for up to six months once opened.
Q. Is castor oil safe?
A. For most people, castor oil can be taken internally or used externally without bothersome side effects. However, overdoing internal use of the oil can lead to diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. There is one strong exception, though: if you are pregnant, you should not use castor oil without the approval of your doctor because the oil can stimulate labor. In fact, this was one of the primary uses of castor oil in centuries past.
