Why you need Castor Oil in your hair care routine

Castor oil, or lwil maskreti, as it is called in Haiti has been used for centuries for varying purposes. This oil’s use is not limited to the confines of your daily beauty regimen. Castor oil has also been used for industrial, pharmaceutical, and medicinal purposes. If you’re of Haitian descent you definitely know there’s not an ailment that lwil maskreti cannot cure. LOL :P #lovemylwil

Before getting into the benefits of castor oil to your natural tresses it’s best to understand a little about castor oil.

TYPES

Refined vs Haitian vs Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Refined castor oil contains less ricinoleic acid, the fatty acid which gives castor oil its beneficial properties. Haitian castor oil has a darker color than the clear or pale yellow refined castor oils you may see on the market. This is because the castor beans (also called castor seeds) are roasted, ground, and then boiled and heat extracted. This process gives Haitian castor oil its characteristic nutty scent and dark golden or rich amber color. Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO) is processed in a similar way to Haitian castor oil but contains more ash from the roasting process. This is why JBCO has more of a dark brown color. There is no evidence that the ash adds any beneficial properties to the oil though. Haitian castor oil is essentially a more potent form of castor oil without the ash. 

BENEFITS

Castor oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and moisturizing properties. It is primarily made up of ricinoleic acid and Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids. This makes it a great addition to your natural hair care regimen. Here are some of the major benefits you will take advantage of by adding castor oil to your daily hair routine:

Increased hair growth -  Castor oil stimulates hair growth by promoting the overall health of the scalp and hair follicles. It is a great remedy for bald patches (alopecia) and thinning edges. Using castor oil regularly can boost your normal rate of hair growth.

Thicker, stronger hair - Regular use of castor oil will repair split ends and decrease breakage. It naturally smooths the hair shaft making hair more flexible and resilient to styling and heat. 

Moisturized hair -  Dry hair loves castor oil. This oil works as a natural humectant. It penetrates the hair shaft to hydrate dry strands and seals in moisture.

Soft, shiny, flawlessly styled hair - Due to its thick consistency, castor oil is great for controlling frizz. The antioxidants in this oil support the keratin in hair leaving you with soft, shiny, and manageable hair.  

Healthy scalp - Castor oil fights scalp infections and improves blood circulation of the scalp. It helps reduce dandruff and balances the pH of the scalp. 

USES

Here are some practical ways you can use castor oil in your natural hair routine:

Scalp treatment: Part hair in sections and apply sparingly to the scalp. Massage scalp with fingertips. You may also do this when hair is in a braided style and already parted. This will soothe an itchy scalp, promote beneficial scalp health, and stimulate hair growth. 

Pre-poo: Use alone or mix castor oil with another natural oil like olive oil and apply to hair before cleansing. This will make your hair more soft and manageable. 

Deep conditioner: Lightly mist hair with water until damp. Section hair and apply castor oil to hair from roots to ends. Cover with a plastic cap and let your body heat create a thermal environment to help the oil penetrate deeply into follicles and scalp. This will add moisture to strands and protect your hair from being stripped of its natural oils 

Heat Protectant: Use on damp hair before blow-drying or heat styling to protect from damage. 

Leave-in Moisturizer: Apply to damp or dry hair before styling to hydrate hair, repair split ends, and add sheen.

As mentioned previously, castor oil has various beneficial uses. Some other uses for castor oil include using it topically to treat arthritis, relieve menstrual cramps, heal cuts and scrapes, and minimize lines and wrinkles. It can even be taken orally (with caution) to help relieve constipation. When taking castor oil orally please exercise caution and if you have questions consult a medical professional. 

Castor Oil is a must-have staple for you if you want to have strong, healthy natural hair. The various ways you can use this oil in your regimen are plentiful. For the largest amount of beneficial properties and exceptional results make sure you choose an unrefined, undiluted, castor oil like our 100% Pure Haitian Castor Oil.

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