For ages now, castor oil has been used as a remedy to treat many scalp issues. It is derived from the seeds of the castor plant, which may help treat and control dandruff. Also, this oil contains antifungal properties that can effectively manage any associated scalp infections. Scroll down to know the multiple benefits of using this multi-purpose vegetable oil to treat dandruff. You will also come across the various ways of using castor oil for dandruff. 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

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

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

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

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 help offer the required nutrients, to prevent dry scalp 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 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-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 acute 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. 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:

Characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of crude protein extracts isolated from the seed of Ricinus communis in Bangladeshhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4942971/ Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant and antifungal activities of novel ricinoleate-based lipoconjugates of phenolic acidshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23442675/ Role of antifungal agents in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitishttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15663338/ Adult Seborrheic Dermatitishttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3100109/ Malassezia€”Can it be Ignored?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4533528/ A New Postulate on Two Stages of Dandruff: A Clinical Perspectivehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3129121/ Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoohttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12451368/ Medicinal and cosmetological importance of Aloe verahttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/233818204_Medicinal_and_cosmetological_importance_of_Aloe_vera Genotypic and Environmental Effects on Tocopherol Content in Almondhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789316/ Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteershttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/ Antifungal activity of different essential oils against Malassezia pathogenic specieshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31704415/ Hair Cosmetics: An Overviewhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/ Association of Malassezia species with dandruffhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4069738/ Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopausehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828511/