If you’re into natural home remedies, you might have heard of using castor oil to grow or darken your eyebrows. But amongst these claims are warnings – and some sources say that castor oil can cause your eyebrows to fall out. Is this true?
The answer is no. In fact, castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which has actually been linked to hair growth – so if anything, castor oil can do the opposite for your eyebrows.
There’s very little actual proof that castor oil can cause your eyebrows to fall out, so it’s certainly nothing to worry about.
Does Castor Oil Actually Grow Eyebrows?
As for whether castor oil can grow your eyebrows, the answer is more of a hesitant yes. Again, there hasn’t been enough research into the specific benefits of castor oil for eyebrow growth – but what we do know is that castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, a chemical compound that has proven effective in treating hair loss.
The bottom line is that using castor oil to grow your eyebrows might be effective, but there’s no guarantee. Still, there’s nothing to lose in giving the oil a try, and there are no worrying side effects of using the oil. Just make sure to keep it away from your eyes – and be very careful if applying it to your eyelashes.
Does Castor Oil Darken Eyebrows?
Castor oil doesn’t act as a dye, so it can’t actually darken your eyebrows. However, thicker hair can appear darker naturally, so if you use castor oil to thicken your eyebrows, they should look darker by default.
If you are trying to darken your eyebrows, it’s better to get them tinted, or simply darken them with makeup every morning. It’s too dangerous to use hair dye to dye your eyebrows, so don’t be tempted to resort to that.
Can Castor Oil Cause Eyelashes To Fall Out?
Again, castor oil hasn’t been proven to make eyelashes grow – but some people swear by it for eyelash growth. So, chances are, your eyelashes won’t fall out if you use castor oil.
If you’re dealing with a rare case of irritation, and you notice your eyelashes are falling out after using castor oil, stop using it immediately. You also shouldn’t use the oil if you notice any itchiness, redness or swelling around your eyelashes.
Side Effects of Castor Oil on Eyelashes
Castor oil is generally safe to use on your eyelashes, and most people who use it won’t experience any side effects. However, the oil may trigger an allergic reaction in some users. Apply a small amount of castor oil on the back of your hand and leave it for up to an hour. If you don’t notice any redness, itching or swelling on the site, you should be safe to use castor oil on your eyelashes.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Castor Oil On Eyebrows?
Too much of anything can be trouble, and there are a number of possible reactions to applying too much castor oil consistently to your eyebrows. However, it’s highly unlikely that the oil will do any serious damage – it might just irritate your skin and your hair follicles. It’s best to stick to a sensible amount of oil, or mix it with another oil, like coconut, to stay on the safe side.
Castor Oil vs Olive Oil for Eyebrows
Both castor oil and olive oil have shown in emerging studies to encourage eyebrow growth. But not enough research has been carried out on either of these oils for us to know for sure which is best.
The general consensus on Internet forums is that castor oil is the better choice for helping your eyebrows grow thicker and faster. But olive oil, being rich in vitamin E, is another option to consider. Whatever your choice, you should simply spend five minutes massaging a little oil into your eyebrows every evening before you go to bed.
There’s very little evidence either way about the effects of castor oil on your eyebrows or eyelashes. If you’re uncertain about using the oil, speak to your doctor first. It’s best to get a professional opinion if you have any reason to be particularly doubtful.
