Why Castor Oil For Beards Is A Thing

Very Curious Indeed.

Last updated on: 01/23/2021 at 5:21 pm

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Best Castor Oil For Bears

If you take all of the beard growth products out there and multiply them by the popularity of beards and then divide that by organic versus chemical solutions, you’re left with one large math fail and a lot of confused bros. As of late, there has been an increase on the eco-friendly side of the equation – these guys strive to be holistic in every way even the products they buy. As annoying as it is to admit it, these bros may actually be onto something, when it comes to using castor oil for beard growth.

 

WHAT IS CASTOR OIL?

Castor oil in its most basic form is a triglyceride composed of a number of moisture-rich fatty acids derived from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant which grows wild in a number of tropical regions (Africa, Indian Subcontinent & the Mediterranean).  The oil has been around for thousands of years – and it’s been used for curing everything from acne to pain.  Although Castor Oil isn’t just good for curing what ails you, it’s also been used for cosmetic reasons for generations such as a way for women to thicken their hair and eyebrows.

This begs the question… is what’s good for the goose, good for the gander? In other words, can the perceived benefits of using castor oil for the hair and eyebrows extend to beard growth? The short answer is yes – the ricinoleic acid found in castor oil has multiple benefits for growing your beard as well as helping you to start the process.

 

BENEFITS OF CASTOR OIL FOR BEARDS

Like so many of the products out there that claim to assist in growing a miraculously thick and luxurious beard, castor oil won’t take you from baby-smooth to lumberjack over the course of one night. No, nothing in life is ever that simple, is it?  Below we’ve listed some of the key benefits you can actually expect from using castor oil for beard growth:

 

GROWTH & THICKENING

One of the most attractive benefits of castor oil, for beard bros, is that it is known to both stimulate the growth of hair and also to thicken it. Because of its high concentrations of Vitamin E, minerals, proteins, Omega’s 6 and 9 and other beneficial fatty acids, specifically ricinoleic acid, castor oil has a lot to offer in terms of creating a healthy environment for beard growth.  Ricinoleic acid has been linked to not only helping increase hair density as it stimulates the production of prostaglandin E2 but due to its high viscosity and absorbability, the oil can also penetrate each hair strand.

 

ANTIBACTERIAL & ANTI-FUNGAL

Castor oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties are also a factor of why it has seen a rise in popularity when it comes to topical treatments. In terms of what this means for beard health or at least the skin beneath them is that Castor oil helps kill bacteria or fungus, the root cause of some types of acne, rashes & other skin infections.

 

MOISTURIZING

By being emollient-rich and containing certain antioxidants that work to support the keratin in your hair Castor oil has deep conditioning benefits. Castor oil helps make your beard hair stronger, smoother and less frizzy.

 

WHAT IS JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR OIL?

Even when we try our best to be earth-conscious, there are a lot of brands out there that fool us with false advertising especially when it comes to personal care products. That’s why, as with everything else, you have to be careful with the Castor Oil you choose to purchase. You’ll find that some brands use castor seeds that have been sprayed with harsh pesticides or go through chemical refining resulting in a substandard end-product.  Jamaican Black Castor Oil, on the other hand, is known for being processed in a sustainable fashion helping it maintain a high nutrient profile. This type of castor oil often has a dark color and a distinct, smoky scent that tends to be a bit thicker in viscosity than the regular variant.

 

 

INTEGRATING CASTOR OIL INTO YOUR GROOMING ROUTINE

Unlike traditional beard oils that are used in the day, Castor oil is generally applied as a leave-on deep conditioning treatment at night for beards. If you’re not familiar or need a refresher here is a step-by-step guide to incorporating castor oil into your beard grooming routine:

  1. Before bed, wash your face with warm water and your regular face wash.
  2. Apply a penny-sized amount of castor oil to the palm of your hand. Rub the castor oil between your palms.
  3. Using gentle, circular motions, massage the castor oil into your still damp beard.
  4. Continue massaging for 3 to 5 minutes in order to stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles. If you’ve got a long beard already, rub some castor oil towards the tip of your beard in order to help with dryness and split ends.
  5. Leave the oil in overnight and wash it off the following morning using cold water.
  6. Do this anywhere from 2-5 times a week before going to bed to achieve best results.

 

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

  • If you don’t have a beard but are hoping to grow one with the help of castor oil, use half the amount of what’s suggested above and follow the same routine.
  • Just as a note, castor oil has a tendency to stain. You may want to consider wearing old pyjamas and using pillowcases or sheets that aren’t expensive because it may leave marks.
  • If you aren’t a fan of beard conditioning products, in general, consider applying Castor Oil to only the tips of your beard.

 

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS 

Although one of the best ways to ensure that you’ll receive a sustainable and healthily processed formula is to purchase the Jamaican Black variant, normal Castor oil that is cold-pressed in a hexane-free environment is also a good choice.

 

Shea Moisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Shea Moisture Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($7.49)

Shea Moisture’s formula does not contain any ingredients other than organic-certified Castor Seed Oil. This product is sustainably produced by a family owned business that donates 10% of sales to support a foundation, women-led enterprises, and even the communities that supply their ingredients.

 


 

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Beard Oil

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Beard Oil ($11.20)

Sunny Isle roasts their beans longer than most other brands, making for a richer formula. This type of Castor Oil is organic and is produced by farmer in rural Jamaica, making it both socially-conscious as well as friendly towards the environment.

 


 

Now Foods Castor Oil

Now Foods Castor Oil ($9)

Hexane free and without any added ingredients, this extremely popular castor oil is an excellent alternative to Jamaican Black variant as it is cold-pressed allowing it to retain a high percentage of nutrient value. The formula is also virtually orderless for those who have a sensitive sense of smell.

 

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A BEARD OIL?  

While castor oil has a number of benefits for facial hair health, manageability and growth, you may be considering using a beard oil in the day either to use alone or to accompany your nightly Castor oil treatments. There are a number of beard oils out there that are formulated with ingredients that will among other things help boost hydration levels and stimulate hair growth in general. Some of the key oils you should be looking for in blended formulas include:

 

ARGAN OIL

    • Contains antioxidants that encourage cell regeneration and, in turn, help promote healthy hair growth.
    • Helps to regulate sebum production, ensuring your beard stays hydrated and nourished.
    • Combats the development of flakes and beardruff.
    • Non-irritating and actually prevents inflammation.
    • Can be used to treat split ends.
    • Pleasant-smelling but not overpowering.

 

JOJOBA OIL

      • Conditions and softens facial hair.
      • Good for nourishing the skin beneath your beard.
      • Is supposed to be mon-comedogenic meaning it will not clog pores or cause breakouts/acne.
      • Strengthens the hair follicle and hair shaft to promote growth of a long, healthy beard.
      • Helps cleanse the hair follicle and hair shaft.

 

AVOCADO OIL

        • Helps to reduce inflammation.
        • Nourishes both the hair follicle and the skin underneath your beard.
        • Hydrates and reduces dryness and itch, which in turn prevents flakes and beardruff.
        • Restores pH levels in the skin.
        • Makes hair softer and shinier.

 

Make sure to check out our in-depth guide on beard oil if you’re interested in exploring benefits, ingredients as well as some product recommendations.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Castor oil has a very long history as an all-natural remedy for many common health issues that extends to both skin and hair health. For the bearded men out there that are looking to take care of their beard while acting in an earth-friendly manner, castor oil definitely should be a top contender.

 

Published on: 09/17/2017 Last updated on: 01/23/2021

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