For the longest time, castor oil was considered to be a panacea that could cure a wide array of health problems and diseases. Even though that myth couldn’t stand the test of time, the numerous benefits of castor oil for the human body are still unquestionable. Castor oil is especially beneficial for hair, skin, and nails.
As beneficial as castor oil is for the human body, it can also be problematic if not used properly. In other words, it is not only very effective, but also very potent. You can’t just buy castor oil off the shelf and start using it like all other naturally occurring oils. You’ll need to learn to use it appropriately.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Home Health Castor Oil |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Gender: Unisex |
| Volume: 32 ounces |
| Cost: $0.46 per ounce |
| The cheapest, most reliable castor oil that can be used for a wide variety of purposes at home including hair maintenance and hair growth. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Sky Organics Castor Oil |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Gender: Unisex |
| Volume: 16 ounces |
| Cost: $0.94 per ounce |
| Affordable, food grade castor oil that comes with USDA organic certification ensuring maximum purity at a great price. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Tropic Isle Castor Oil |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Gender: Unisex |
| Volume: 8 ounces |
| Cost: $1.54 per ounce |
| The best Jamaican black castor oil available in the market with the most potent benefits for slowing down hair loss and growing new hair. |
| Check Amazon |
Because of this, we’re not just reviewing various castor oil products available in the market in this guide, but also giving you a quick primer on castor oil’s composition, its numerous benefits, various types available, and the right way to use it. Feel free to jump around the guide with the following navigation panel.
- What Does Castor Oil Contain?
- What Are the Benefits of Castor Oil?
- What Types of Castor Oil Are There?
- What Is the Right Way to Use Castor Oil?
- 10 Best Castor Oil for Hair Comparison Table
- Top 3 Premium Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 4 Budget Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
What Does Castor Oil Contain?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil drawn from castor seeds that are native to Africa and Asia. Ricinoleic acid is it’s primary component, accounting for nearly 90% of castor oil. The balance 10% is a cocktail of multiple other nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.
The vast majority of components of castor oil are beneficial for hair, but the most important is ricinoleic acid because of how it interacts with prostaglandin D2.
A study conducted in 2012 established an association between increased quantities of prostaglandin D2 in the scalp and hair loss. Ricinoleic acid inhibits prostaglandin D2, which is why it is so successful in not only slowing down ongoing hair loss but also encouraging hair regrowth.
It also has very strong anti-microbial properties. It counters the growth of bacteria and fungus that can grow on the scalp and swamp hair follicles from receiving sufficient nutrients. Further, ricinoleic acid can improve blood circulation in the scalp and ensure that the hair follicles absorb the right nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
Even the minor components in castor oil play major roles when it comes to the health of scalp and hair. For instance, castor oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are good sources of energy.
Castor oil also has hydrating qualities owing to its high polyunsaturated fatty acids content. These fatty acids coat the hair strands, which allows them to keep moisture from escaping.
What Are the Benefits of Castor Oil?
It’s a well-known fact that castor oil has numerous benefits. What are all these benefits? Consider the following.
Protection from infection:
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has very potent anti-microbial properties backed by scientific studies. It is one of the most effective naturally occurring counters to viruses, bacteria, and fungi known to man.
Because of these qualities, castor oil neutralizes any infections in the scalp as well as prevents future infections. These same qualities also allow castor oil to nullify any inflammation of the hair follicles, making them better able to produce healthier hair strands.
Thicker hair:
Ricinoleic acid also benefits the scalp by improving circulation. With better circulation, hair follicles receive more nutrition and become healthier. Healthier hair follicles produce healthier hair strands that are not only thicker but also shinier.
Reduced rate of hair loss:
There’s a direct connection between hair loss and poor follicular health. Infections, excess DHT, and lack of sufficient nutrition can cause hair follicles to become inefficient at hair production. Insufficient nutrition over an extended period can cause hair follicles to die, as seen in male pattern baldness.
By making hair follicles healthier, castor oil also prevents them from miniaturizing and becoming dormant. Further, hair follicles remain in an active, productive state longer if they receive proper nutrition. This directly reduces the rate of hair loss.
Improved rate of hair regrowth:
Castor oil doesn’t only prevent hair follicles from miniaturizing and becoming dormant. It can revive them too. The basic principle remains the same, however. Castor oil takes away restrictive elements such as prostaglandin D2 or infections and ensures that hair follicles receive proper nutrition.
As a result, the downward trend of hair follicles becoming dormant is arrested and they become active again.
Anti-dandruff:
Two things cause dandruff – infection and dryness. Castor oil counters both. Its anti-microbial qualities nullify existing infections and prevent future infections while its hydrating qualities counter excessive dryness.
When you use castor oil over an extended period, these qualities build upon one another and completely eradicate the problem of dandruff.
Improved hydration:
As mentioned, polyunsaturated fatty acids in castor oil cover hair strands and hair follicles to prevent moisture from escaping. Since the primary cause for frizzy or flyaway hair is excessive dryness, castor oil’s hydrating qualities counter this problem as well.
Incidentally, lack of moisture is partially to blame for split hair ends as well along with poor nutrition. Therefore, castor oil helps resolve split ends also.
While this guide is about castor oil for hair, castor oil has benefits above and beyond just hair. The qualities that make castor oil so great for hair also make it excellent for the skin. It is excellent at hydrating and protecting skin from excess dryness and infections.
Additionally, castor oil is very effective as a laxative when ingested. The quantity is important here because if you take too much, then it can cause diarrhea. We recommend caution if you intend to use castor oil for these purposes.
What Types of Castor Oil are There?
There are mainly four types of castor oil available in the market. These are the following.
Natural Castor Oil:
Natural castor oil is the most common type of castor oil you’ll find in the market. Natural castor oil can be just cold-pressed or organic and cold-pressed both.
Cold-pressed castor oil is obtained by a process where castor seeds are mechanically pressed till oil is obtained. This process involves neither heat nor chemicals.
Organic cold-pressed castor oil also utilizes cold pressing. The difference between the two is that this type of castor oil is obtained only from organic castor seeds.
Processed Castor Oil:
Processed castor oil can be obtained by a process called expeller pressing. The difference here is that temperature is not modulated during the process. This means that the process takes place at higher temperatures. Heat has a tendency to damage its nutrients which is why we don’t recommend expeller pressed castor oil.
Sometimes, chemicals may be used during expeller pressing to make it easier to remove the produced oil. Hexanes are used in the case of castor oil. Since hexane is harmful to humans, we only recommend using hexane free castor oil.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Jamaican black castor oil is produced with the traditional Jamaican technique of roasting castor seeds before cold pressing them. The color of this type of castor oil is black or dark brown instead of light yellow or even colorless because of excess carbon.
In terms of composition, Jamaican black castor oil and cold pressed castor oil are quite similar. However, Jamaican black castor oil is more alkaline. Increased alkalinity gives Jamaican black castor oil increased cleansing ability.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Castor Wax)
Hydrogenated castor oil is also known as castor wax. It is obtained by hydrogenating (adding hydrogen atoms to a chemical compound) castor oil. Hydrogenation changes castor oil at a molecular level.
As a result, hydrogenated castor oil is solid, brittle, and odorless. Castor wax is mainly used as a component of lotions, creams, and other cosmetics. It can be used as a balm, though.
What Is the Right Way to Use Castor Oil?
The biggest challenge with using castor oil is its viscosity. It is one of the most viscous oils in nature, which is why it is so difficult to apply. The best workaround to this problem is to heat castor oil before application.
The heat melts the castor oil and makes it easier to apply. You can also combine castor oil with other oils to make it more manageable. Some oils you can combine with castor oil include coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, sesame seed oil, peppermint oil, and avocado oil.
Mixing castor oil with other types of oils has one other benefit, i.e., masking it’s smell. Everyone doesn’t like the nutty smell of castor oil. So if you’re one of these people, then mixing other types of oils with castor oil can help you sidestep this problem.
On the other hand, if you’re not averse with strong smells, you can even use onion juice and water with castor oil. Onion juice is a powerful home remedy against hair loss.
You should also remember that this is a very potent oil. As a result, you don’t need a lot of castor oil to avail its benefits. You can use as little as a drop of castor oil on your finger for your hair, but that depends on how long and thick your hair is.
In terms of how often you need to use castor oil, your decision will depend on the severity of your problem. For countering hair loss or hair damage of some sort, you should at least use it twice a week but three to four times will be even better. If you’re just after prettier hair, eyelashes, or eyebrows, then you can simply use castor oil once a week to avail its conditioning properties.
10 Best Castor Oil for Hair Comparison Table
| Product Name | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropic Isle Living Black Castor Oil | 8 ounces | $1.54 per ounce | Check Price |
| Natural Riches Organic Castor Oil | 16 ounces | $1.05 per ounce | Check Price |
| Now Foods Castor Oil | 16 x 2 ounces | $1.01 per ounce | Check Price |
| Okay Jamaican Castor Oil | 8 ounces | $0.98 per ounce | Check Price |
| Sky Organics Castor Oil | 16 ounces | $0.94 per ounce | Check Price |
| Majestic Pure Castor Oil | 16 ounces | $0.93 per ounce | Check Price |
| Molivera Organics Castor Oil | 16 ounces | $0.86 per ounce | Check Price |
| Shiny Leaf Organic Castor Oil | 16 ounces | $0.80 per ounce | Check Price |
| Heritage Store Palma Christi Castor Oil | 32 ounces | $0.77 per ounce | Check Price |
| Home Health Castor Oil | 32 ounces | $0.46 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 3 Premium Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
1. Tropic Isle Living Black Castor Oil (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Tropic Isle Living Black Castor Oil is easily the best option when it comes to castor oil products. This is Jamaican black castor oil that is completely natural and doesn’t contain any unwanted additives, chemicals, or fillers.
Further, this very effective product helps improve the health of existing hair and even has the potential to encourage hair regrowth in those who’ve started experiencing hair loss.
Regular use of this Jamaican black castor oil will leave your hair noticeably softer and shinier. The best part is that this is a multipurpose product. You can use it on any part of your body including skin, nails, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
The fact that this castor oil is Jamaican black means that it has great cleansing properties in addition to the usual qualities of castor oil. Effectively, it will loosen up and remove any buildup in your hair freeing your follicles to become even stronger.
The reason why this product is special, though, is that it is produced using traditional Jamaican methods. The castor seeds used to produce this product are hand-processed, which ensures another layer of quality control. The seeds are roasted and then boiled. The oil is taken off the resultant mix.
The outcome is the purest Jamaican black castor oil that has extra-potency. The extra alkalinity and potency are perfect for extra-thick, curly, or coarse hair. This is why this particular product is such a big hit with the African American community and people with hair that is very difficult to manage.
This castor oil is dark brown in color, but the actual shade can vary from one batch to another because of its all-natural manufacturing process. It also has a distinct nutty scent. Like most castor oil products, its scent divides opinion as well. While many users love the smell, there are others who not only dislike it but find it too strong.
The biggest problem with this product is that it is very expensive, but that is the price you pay for getting something manufactured with traditionally organic techniques. However, its cost is balanced by the fact that it is a very thick oil that can last a very long time.
It is also available in two different sizes – eight ounces and four ounces. While buying this Jamaican black castor oil, we do recommend caution because there are reports of counterfeit products floating in the market.
Who’s it for: If you want the absolute best in castor oil and are willing to pay extra for it, then this is the product you should go for.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% Jamaican black castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Premium quality Jamaican black castor oil |
| Manufactured through traditional Jamaican methods |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Extra alkalinity gives it cleansing qualities |
| Available in two different sizes |
| Lasts a very long time |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Very expensive |
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| Some people may not like the nutty smell |
| The smell may be too strong for some |
| Concerns about counterfeit products |
2. Natural Riches Organic Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
There aren’t many castor oil products that have USDA Organic Certification, but this one from Natural Riches is one of them. This isn’t just an organic castor oil product, though. It is cold pressed, which means that none of its nutrients have been damaged by heat.
Being cold pressed means also that it is 100% pure and free of all chemical additives such as hexanes. As a result, this product delivers all the benefits of pure castor oil such as nourishing the hair, moisturizing it, softening it, protecting it from the elements, and even encouraging new growth.
It can be used all over the body and is especially beneficial for eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, and skin. While hugely beneficial, this product is still on the expensive side. The bottle contains 16 ounces, and its price means that you have to pay a little over a dollar for every ounce.
Luckily, it is a long-lasting product. Since a little bit of the oil can do wonders, you don’t have to use a lot of it every time. As a result, the bottle stays with you for a very long time.
You should note that there are a few people who may be allergic to castor oil. In case this product doesn’t suit you, or you change your mind about using it after purchase, the company offers a 100% money back guarantee.
You can also return it if you’re a first-time user and don’t like the nutty smell of castor oil. However, we recommend trying it mixed with other oils to cover up the smell before rejecting it out of hand.
Who’s it for: If you’re particular about your products being fully organic, then get this USDA organic certified castor oil from Natural Riches.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Cold pressed organic 100% pure castor oil |
| Possesses USDA certification |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Backed by 100% money back guarantee |
| Lasts a very long time |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensive product |
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| Some people may not like the nutty smell |
3. Now Foods Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0
Now Foods has been supplying castor oil to the American population for a long time. It is one of the oldest castor oil brands since the company was established as far back as 1968.
This castor oil is all American since it is manufactured on home soil. In terms of effectiveness, it is accomplished and has delivered great results to users. It can hydrate hair and skin, protect them, and even promote hair growth in those who’re experiencing hair loss. The company says that you’ll see improvement within four weeks of using this oil.
Now Foods sells this product in four different sizes. It’s available in a 1-ounce bottle, a 16-ounce bottle, a pack of two 16-ounce bottles, and a pack of three 16-ounce bottles. You can choose between sizes on the basis of your requirements. For instance, the 1-ounce bottle is enough if you only want to treat your eyebrows and eyelashes.
We do recommend buying the larger sizes since they turn out to be cheaper. Larger sizes aren’t only cheaper but will last you a very long time too since you’ll only be using small amounts of this oil every time.
However, if you’ve never used castor oil before, we recommend approaching things cautiously because there’s a risk of allergic reactions. If your skin is extra-sensitive, you’ll be more prone to allergies especially since this product is neither organic nor obtained by the cold pressing method.
You can test if you’re allergic to castor oil by buying the smallest bottle and rubbing a little of this oil on the inside of your elbow. The smaller bottle can be useful if you want to test the castor oil smell too. The castor oil smell divides opinion so you may want to test it out.
Who’s it for: If you’re brand conscious and aren’t very focused on organic products, get this castor oil from Now Foods.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16 x 2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Old reliable brand |
| 100% pure castor oil |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Available in four different sizes |
| Lasts a very long time |
| Made in the US |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensive product |
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| Not cold pressed or natural |
| Some people may not like the nutty smell |
Top 3 Value Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
4. Okay Jamaican Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Jamaican black castor oil doesn’t always have to be expensive. Getting it at a competitive price is very much possible. Okay offers black castor oil at an amazingly competitive price. For Jamaican black castor oil, it is unbelievably cheap.
It is cheap possibly because the castor oil in the bottle isn’t 100% pure. It doesn’t have impurities in it, however. Instead, it is mixed with argan oil, another naturally occurring oil that is incredibly beneficial for hair and skin.
Unless you’re looking for pure castor oil, this is a very good combination straight out of the bottle. Most people mix their castor oil with other oils anyway so it can be quite convenient to get the mix in the bottle itself.
The argan oil – castor oil combination offers the same benefits, i.e. protection against infection and dryness, reduction of hair loss, the impetus to hair growth, and thicker, shinier hair with more volume.
The addition of argan oil also makes the consistency of this product better than pure castor oil products. In other words, it isn’t as thick and viscous as pure castor oil. As a result, you’ll find it easier to apply this oil.
Further, you won’t even have to deal with the nutty smell that castor oil is infamous for. The smell of this combo oil product is more citrusy as argan oil masks its nutty smell.
Whether you like this new smell is depends on your preferences. A few users do complain of the smell citing it to be too strong to handle. Also, this product may not suit everyone. We recommend testing it out to see if you’re allergic to it before committing to it completely.
Who’s it for: If you want Jamaican black castor oil, like argan oil, and don’t want to pay too much, get this product.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Water, brassicamidopropyldi – methylamine, cetearyl alcohol, aspartic acid, glycerin, castor seed oil, sheabutter, shea butter amidopropyltrimonium chloride, isopropyl palmitate, argan oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Jamaican black castor oil |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Extra alkalinity gives it cleansing qualities |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Contains argan oil too |
| Not very thick |
| Has a pleasant citrusy smell |
| Lasts a very long time |
| Affordable for Jamaican black castor oil |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not 100% castor oil |
| Not an organic product |
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| The smell may be too strong for some |
5. Sky Organics Castor Oil (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
We haven’t included many food grade products in this guide because our focus is on hair. However, it can be quite convenient to have castor oil that you can apply to your hair as well as cook with? If that is what you want, this product from Sky Organics meets your requirements.
This is a food grade, cold pressed, and completely natural castor. As a result, it neither contains hexanes nor has nutrients damaged by heat. Since it is completely natural, it is fairly mild and suitable for all types of hair including color or chemically treated hair.
As a result, it can be used anywhere in the body and even ingested. The manufacturer even says that this product is completely organic. However, it doesn’t have a USDA organic certification to back that claim.
This product offers all the inherent benefits of castor oil at a very competitive rate. Further, it is a very long-lasting product as only a little bit of it is enough per use. The combination of its numerous benefits, long-lasting nature, and low cost means that this product is our best pick in the budget section.
The company will even provide a free eBook with your purchase. The eBook contains some really effective and useful beauty tips, both generic and do-it-yourself.
Like all castor oil products, this one also throws up the risk of allergies. You should apply a little to the inside of your elbow to ensure that you’re not allergic to it.
Similarly, castor oil’s scent divides opinion. The nutty smell in this product is quite strong and many people don’t like that. You can circumvent this problem by mixing this castor oil with other oils, though.
Who’s it for: If you want a food grade, competitively priced castor oil from a reliable brand, buy this bottle.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 100% pure,organic, and food grade castor oil |
| USDA organic certification |
| Has great hydrating properties |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Lasts a very long time |
| Affordable |
| Comes with a DIY beauty tips containing free eBook |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| Some people may not like the nutty smell |
| The smell may be too strong for some |
6. Majestic Pure Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
One of the challenges of using castor oil is its smell. It has a distinct smell that a lot of people don’t appreciate, with a few even going as far as to hate it. One solution, of course, is to mix it with some other oil whose smell you do like. A better alternative is to get castor oil that doesn’t smell as much.
This castor oil from Majestic Pure may be the answer. It’s scent is so light that it is virtually negligible. Despite not smelling so strong, it still offers the usual castor oil benefits. Further, even though it isn’t completely organic, it is pure. It is free of all additives and is undiluted and unfiltered.
Also, the company also says that this castor oil hasn’t been tested on any animals, making it 100% cruelty-free. Priced competitively, this product will also stay with you for a very long time because it is so thick and viscous.
One thing that can be very annoying with this product is the pump it comes with. Simply speaking, the pump doesn’t work well and its build quality is very poor.
Also, you’ll have to be careful about using this product if you’re trying castor oil for the first time. The risk of allergies is real with castor oil for first-time users. Try a little on your skin before you go all out on it.
Who’s it for: If castor oil smell bothers you a lot, but you still want its numerous benefits, get this product from Majestic Pure.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 100% pure castor oil |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Lasts a very long time |
| Has a very light and negligible smell |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not organic castor oil |
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| The accompanied pump isn’t the best quality |
Top 4 Budget Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
7. Molivera Organics Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0
While premium castor oil products are the gold standard for purity and quality, it is possible to gain those benefits on a budget too. Molivera Organics Castor Oil offers all those qualities at a price that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
It is a premium cold pressed castor oil that is available at a very affordable price. This means that its nutrients remain intact and it doesn’t contain hexanes or any other harmful additives.
The manufacturer claims that this oil is manufactured in multiple smaller batches to ensure freshness. Further, they also say that this is a triple filtered castor oil. The company has also focused on packaging. This castor oil comes in a BPA free bottle that is also resistant to ultraviolet rays.
This product is also great because it doesn’t have that distinct nutty smell that castor oil is known for. In fact, it is completely free of any fragrance, which will appeal to people with extra sensitive noses.
While this castor oil is completely natural and pure, it still isn’t organic. To be considered organic, the oil has to be pressed from organic seeds. This is where this product falls short. However, in terms of benefits for the hair and skin, it does quite well.
It is thick and you’ll only have to use a little to benefit from it. As a result, it won’t run out on you too quickly. Combined with its low cost, this makes this castor oil very cost effective.
At the same time, if you’re a first-time user, you need to be cautious about allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to castor oil aren’t that rare. So, you should test it out on the inside of your elbow before using it on your scalp or face. If you do have a reaction, though, you can always make use of the company’s money back guarantee.
Another surprising flaw of this castor oil is that it can dry your hair a bit too much. This isn’t very common with castor oil use, but you should still be on the lookout for it.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for cost-effective castor oil and aren’t very fussed about organic seeds, get this one.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 100% pure, cold pressed castor oil |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Free of the nutty fragrance |
| Lasts a very long time |
| Comes with money back guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not organic castor oil |
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| May dry hair a bit too much |
8. Shiny Leaf Organic Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
It isn’t only possible to get good quality castor oil at budget prices, but get one that has USDA organic certification as well. The Organic Castor Oil from Shiny Leaf is completely natural, organic, and free of all additives and chemicals such as hexane.
In addition to being completely organic, this castor oil is also produced by the cold pressing technique which means that its nutrients haven’t been damaged by heat.
You can get this product in three different sizes. There’s a pack of two 4-ounce bottles, a single 4-ounce bottle, and a single 16-ounce bottle. Needless to say, the 16-ounce bottle is the most budget-friendly. In fact, this is how this product makes it possible for you to enjoy all the numerous benefits of castor oil without paying over the odds.
Another thing that adds to the budget-friendly nature of this product is that you don’t have to use a lot of oil in every treatment. Because of its thickness, you’ll only need to use a small amount to avail its benefits.
You should also note that this product from Shiny Leaf doesn’t have that typical nutty smell that castor oil is supposed to have. Instead, it has a very clean, light and pleasant smell.
We’ll also advise you to be careful of allergic reactions if you’ve never used castor oil before. Test it out on your skin before you apply it on your face or head freely. It might even be a good idea to start with the smaller bottle before buying the bigger one.
One flaw you will have to make peace with, though, is the packaging. While the company gives a dropper with the bottle, it is nearly useless. It cannot hold the viscous and thick castor oil at all. The oil drips out the moment you try to use the dropper leading to pointless wastage.
Who’s it for: If you’re strapped for cash but want cold pressed organic certified castor oil, then this one from Shiny Leaf is just perfect for you.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 100% pure castor oil |
| USDA organic certified |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Available in three different sizes |
| Has a light, clean, and pleasant smell |
| Lasts a very long time |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| The accompanied dropper isn’t the best quality |
9. Heritage Store Palma Christi Castor Oil
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The more you buy, the more you will save. This is the basic premise of saving money when it comes to products like these. The bigger bottles are always cheaper. This product from Heritage Store contains 32 ounces of castor oil. As a result, it one of the cheapest products we’ve reviewing in this guide.
However, if you don’t want that much castor oil, you can choose from any of the other five sizes. These include a 4-ounce bottle, an 8-ounce bottle, a double pack of 8-ounce bottles, a triple pack of 8-ounce bottles, and a 16-ounce bottle.
The castor oil inside the bottle itself is obtained through cold pressing. Resultantly, the nutrients inside the oil remain undamaged from excessive heat during the extraction process. This also means that this castor oil doesn’t contain any additives or fillers like hexane.
The company has also managed to free their castor oil of its typical nutty fragrance. They’ve not added any other fragrance and left their product fragrance free. It is still thick, though. As a result, you’ll only have to use a little every time and the bottle will last you a long time.
The threat of allergic reaction, however, remains real. The best way to deal with it will be to test it out somewhere on your skin before applying it to your hair freely. You can always get the smaller bottle to do this before committing to the huge but economical 32-ounce bottle.
We also recommend transferring the castor oil to another glass jar in your house. The packaging of this product is shoddy at best causing the bottle to leak at the drop of a hat.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a cheap castor oil alternative but don’t want to compromise on it being cold pressed, get this one.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 32 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 100% pure castor oil |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Can help grow hair |
| Available in five different sizes |
| Lasts a very long time |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| Packing isn’t the most reliable |
10. Home Health Castor Oil (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
In the budget segment, this product from Home Health takes the cake. If you were to buy this product the moment this guide was written, you’d be paying less than half a dollar per ounce to get it! That is, to be honest, quite unbelievable especially when you compare it to other similar products.
The best part is that, at that rate, you’ll be getting cold pressed castor oil that is free of all additives, chemicals, and fillers like hexane. What makes it even better is the mileage you’ll get out of this product.
This product has a thick consistency as is typical of castor oil. This means that you’ll only use a little in every instance and it will last with you for a very long time, making it even more cost-effective.
Generally, castor oil tends to have a very strong nutty smell, but that isn’t entirely the case with Home Health’s castor oil. While this castor oil has that distinct smell, it has been muted. It isn’t so strong that you can’t handle it.
You can get this product in six different sizes including the 32-ounce one that we’re reviewing here. Your other options include an 8-ounce bottle, a double pack of 8-ounce bottles, a triple pack of 8-ounce bottles, a 16-ounce bottle, and even a double pack of 32-ounce bottles.
The bottles, themselves, aren’t that great though. They leak and drip too much. We recommend transferring the oil to more reliable, perhaps glass, bottles as soon as you receive your merchandise.
We also recommend testing for allergic reactions before going all out on this castor oil.
Who’s it for: If all you want is affordability, you won’t find any castor oil product cheaper than this one from Home Health.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 32 ounces |
| Active ingredients: 100% castor oil |
| Gender: Unisex |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 100% pure, cold pressed castor oil |
| A multipurpose product that can be used anywhere on the body |
| Adds shine and volume to existing hair |
| Has a light smell |
| Can help grow hair |
| Available in six different sizes |
| Amazingly cheap |
| Lasts a very long time |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Some people may be allergic to it |
| Some people may not like the nutty smell |
Contents
- What Does Castor Oil Contain?
- What Are the Benefits of Castor Oil?
- What Types of Castor Oil are There?
- What Is the Right Way to Use Castor Oil?
- 10 Best Castor Oil for Hair Comparison Table
- Top 3 Premium Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 4 Budget Castor Oil for Hair: Detailed Reviews
