Everyone with hair types 3 and 4 knows how important it is to include hair care practices that will help seal hair moisture. After all, curly and kinky hairs are more susceptible to dryness and breakage because natural oils from the scalp do not flow smoothly from the roots to the ends. But with every problem, there is a solution. Castor oil for curly hair has been a staple remedy for ages. It is one of the most potent plant-based oils for drawing in and retaining moisture for textured hair types and protective hairstyles.
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This article will explore more about the best castor oil for curly hair products and the unique benefits that each of them provides. There is no single way to use castor oil for curly hair, so I included an array of castor oil product options to cater to the diverse preferences and needs of the curly hair community.
Aside from the detailed product review, I will also include a comprehensive buying guide that discusses the types of castor oil, ways to use castor oil for curly hair, features to look for when buying castor oil, and frequently asked questions.
Castor Oil For Curly Hair Reviewed In This Guide
Here, you will find the best 100% pure cold-pressed yellow and black castor oil as well as the most reputable hair care brands for curly hair that uses castor oil as an active ingredient.
Castor Oil For Curly Hair List
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Bundle
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Hair Bundle comes from a reputable curly hair care brand. Mother and entrepreneur Sofi Tucker established SheaMoisture to provide high-quality hair products to women and children with textured hair types and to support the shea butter handcrafting livelihood of African women in Sierra Leone that started in 1912.
Its excellent formula makes the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-in Conditioner stand out. The high-quality natural ingredients are most beneficial for those with curly and coily hair types. Each item in the bundle uses Jamaican Black Castor Oil as its active ingredient.
This castor oil is a Vitamin E rich, potent hair moisturizer for textured hair. It has hydrating, strengthening, repairing, and thickening properties. At the same time, the hair bundle also has shea butter, a hair care ingredient that coats hair strands to seal nutrients and moisture for a long time.
The SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Bundle is best for everyone who wants to reap the benefits of castor oil for curly hair but does not have the luxury of time to add a hair oiling regimen to their hair care routine. Because the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioners are all infused with Jamaican Black Castor Oil, you just have to buy and use them as your regular hair care products.
You will find that using the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Bundle makes your hair feel clean and fresh, but the natural oils are not stripped off. After consistent use for around six weeks, you will notice that your hair is completely transformed. It feels softer, smoother, and shinier. The curls also look more defined and bouncier.
Pros:
- Reputable curly hair brand
- High-quality ingredients sourced worldwide
- It contains pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil
- It comes as a complete hair care bundle
- Free of harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, silicones, petroleum, and mineral oil.
- A well-loved product line among the curly hair community
- Receives many excellent testimonials among its users
- Affordable
Cons: Because the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil For Curly Hair Bundle has a very moisturizing formula, it may not suit those with oily hair.
Bottomline: Best Overall and Most Affordable Jamaican Black Castor Oil For Curly Hair Product Bundle
Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo
This Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo is an excellent pick for everyone looking for a regular hair cleanser with castor oil. Okay Pure Naturals is a broad health and beauty brand that creates hair, skin, baby, and even pet products using the best of the best natural and organic ingredients. And it is no surprise that they have Black Jamaican Castor Oil for the curly hair product line.
The Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo is excellent for wash-and-go and protective hairstyles like Fulani braids and dreadlocks. It has a safe and gentle formula, free from irritants like sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Texture-wise, it is not thick. It is a little watery, which makes it easy to apply and massage directly to the scalp. This shampoo also lathers pretty well.
I love that this shampoo has two of the most beneficial plant-based oils. The Black Jamaican Castor Oil is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids that have scalp stimulating and hair moisturizing properties. Likewise, Argan oil is also rich in Vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants that promote hair elasticity and shine.
No substantial studies support the claim that castor oil promotes hair growth. But the Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo is one of the few products that receive much anecdotal evidence that affirms castor oil’s hair-growing properties. Aside from making hair clean, soft, smooth, and shiny, there are also noticeable increases in hair thickness and volume after consistent use.
You will love how this hair cleanser does not leave product build-up and residues for those who will use this shampoo on their dreadlocks and braids. It works with or without using conditioner after. Lastly, the tropical scent of this shampoo is divine.
Pros:
- Established brand
- Safe and gentle hair cleansing formula
- Suitable for wash-and-go and protective hairstyles
- It contains two most beneficial curly hair plant-based oils, Black Jamaican Castor Oil and Argan Oil
- Affordable
Cons: Again, aside from anecdotal evidence, there are insufficient studies to support the claim that castor oil and this product stimulate hair growth.
Bottomline: Best Castor Oil For Curly Hair Thickening Shampoo and Best Castor Oil For Protective Hairstyles
Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Conditioner
Compliment your shampoo with this Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Conditioner. As I said earlier, Okay Pure Naturals is a comprehensive health and beauty brand that creates products for the entire family, including babies and pets, using the best natural and organic ingredients. This Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Conditioner is their second curly hair care product that I will review in this list.
The texture of the Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Conditioner is just right. It is not too thick. The only issue with the application is that it does not provide enough slip. So for those with extremely coily hair, this conditioner may be unable to remove knots and tangles easily. But for those with curly hair, there would be no problem. To help with the slip concern, I suggest that you add pure castor oil to this conditioner before massaging it onto your hair.
Like the shampoo, this Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Conditioner has two of the most beneficial plant-based oils. The Black Jamaican Castor Oil is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids that stimulate the scalp and seals hair moisturize. Likewise, Argan oil is also rich in Vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants that promote hair elasticity and shine.
Regarding after-use results, the Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Conditioner remains true to its product claims. Indeed, it makes hair softer, smoother, and more moisturized. However, this conditioner does not provide enough shine for those with extremely dry and dull hair.
Pros:
- Established brand
- Safe and gentle hair conditioning formula
- Suitable for wash-and-go and protective hairstyles
- It contains two most beneficial curly hair plant-based oils, Black Jamaican Castor Oil and Argan Oil
- Affordable
Cons:
- It does not provide enough slip to detangle coily hair
- It does not offer enough shine for incredibly dry and dull hair
Bottomline: Best Castor Oil For Curly Hair Conditioner but may not be the best conditioner for extremely coily hair.
Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil
The Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil comes from organically grown, harvested, and processed castor beans in the rural farms of Jamaica. The company, Sunny Isle, aims to promote the use of Jamaican Black Castor Oil as a hair and skin care product among African-American women and across ethnic groups and cultures worldwide. At the same time, it supports the livelihood of Jamaican farmers. Sunny Isle is also a black castor oil brand that is approved for export by the Jamaican Government.
If you are unfamiliar, the Jamaican Black Castor Oil is dark because of the ashes that come with the roasting of the castor beans before grinding and boiling. It is also called “Jamaican” because this extraction process originated in Jamaica.
Visually, the Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil has a dark tint. The texture is thick and can be a little heavy on your hair. It has hints of ashes in its smell, but it is tolerable and not overpowering.
What I love about the Jamaican Black Castor Oil is the authenticity of the product. It is black castor oil in its purest form, thus it can be used in different ways. You can massage it on your scalp to stimulate circulation and purify the pores. Another way to use it is a pre-shampoo hair oil detangler. If you need deep moisturizing hair treatment, use this for hot oil. You can also add this to your conditioner. Remember not to leave this castor oil for too long to avoid weighing down hair and product build-up.
After consistent use, this black castor oil can improve the overall health of the scalp and hair. Some testimonials support the claim that this castor oil improves hair thickness and length for curly hair.
Pros:
- Jamaican grown, harvested, and processed castor beans
- It can be used in many ways
- Approved for export by the Government of Jamaica
- Affordable
Cons: The Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil has a hint of ash on its smell. Because it is thick, it can cause your curls to shrink immediately after applying.
Bottomline: Best Price For Pure Black Jamaican Castor Oil For Curly Hair
Tropical Isle Living The Original Jamaican Black Castor Oil
The Tropical Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil is another excellent pure castor oil for curly hair in this list. Tropical Isle began in 1992 with a mission to promote Caribbean beauty and health traditions to every household. At the same time to support local farmers in Jamaica.
The Tropical Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil comes from hand-picked castor beans in the fertile lands of Jamaica. Visually, the Tropical Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil has a lighter color compared to black castor oil of other brands. The texture is also smooth and a little less thick. Personally, I love the consistency of the Tropical Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil because it is easier to apply and massage on the scalp and hair.
Because this black castor oil is pure, it can be used in many ways. Some examples are detanglers, moisturizers, and deep hot oil treatment. I highly recommend that those with curly and kinky hair use this castor oil as regular pre-shampoo hair care. This product is excellent for moisturizing and repairing dry strands. As well as purifying and conditioning the scalp.
Pros:
- Jamaican grown, hand-picked, and hand-processed castor beans
- It can be used in many ways
- The consistency of the oil is easy to apply
- Affordable
Cons: Like other Jamaican Black Castor Oil, the Tropical Isle has a hint of ash on its smell.
Bottomline: Best Consistency For Black Jamaican Castor Oil For Curly Hair
Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Hair Bundle
The Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength is a hair product line that features the excellent benefits of castor oil for curly hair. Founder Lisa Price established and named the company after her mother in Brooklyn in 1993. Her commitment is to create hair care products for textured hair types using natural ingredients. Since its feature on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2002, Carol’s Daughter has become a well-loved curly and kinky hair brand. It was also launched on HSN in 2008 and acquired by L’Oreal in 2014.
Inspired by the innate strength of Goddess, this collection is dedicated to making curly and kinky hair stronger. The Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Hair Care set consists of shampoo, conditioner, leave-in cream, and oil blend. These products address common curly and kinky hair problems like weak strands, frizziness, split ends, and breakage.
What I especially love about Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength is the concoction of its active ingredients. It combines the moisturizing and strengthening properties of castor oil with the scalp-stimulating properties of ginger and the repairing and hair-growing properties of black cumin seed.
I recommend Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength with castor oil for curly hair for everyone who wants to embrace the unique needs of their textured hair. This hair bundle is for those who can dedicate time to the four-step hair care routine to make their curls and kinks healthy and better looking. You will notice immediately after use that your hair feels clean, soft, smooth, and lively. Over time, you will see that weak and damaged hair is revitalized.
While the formula will benefit those with type 3 and type 4 hair, this castor oil-infused hair care set is also suitable for all hair types.
Pros:
- A well-established curly and kinky hair brand
- Curly hair-strengthening formula
- It contains pure Castor Oil
- It comes as a complete hair care bundle
- Free of harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, silicones, petroleum, and mineral oil.
- A well-loved product line among the curly hair community
- Receives many excellent testimonials among its users
Cons: As I said earlier, Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength with castor oil for curly hair bundle is for those who have the time to do the 4-step hair care routine. Also, this is not the cheapest hair care set on this list, but it is undoubtedly still affordable.
Bottomline: Best Castor Oil Hair Care Bundle for Weak and Damaged Curly Hair
Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil
The Sky Organics Castor Oil is excellent if you prefer yellow cold-pressed castor oil over the Jamaican Black Castor Oil. It ticks all the checklists when evaluating a superb castor oil product. It is 100% pure castor oil and does not contain chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicons, or mineral oil. This castor oil for curly hair also has USDA organic certification.
Since the Sky Organics Castor Oil is authentic and pure, it contains all the essential vitamins and fatty acids that moisturize, repair, strengthen hair, and purify and condition the scalp. It dramatically helps those with curly and kinky hair because these hair types are prone to dryness, frizziness, breakage, dandruff, and irritation. That said, remember that you need to use this product consistently to see noticeable improvements in the quality of your scalp and curls.
Sky Organics Castor Oil is a versatile castor oil product. You can use it as a detangler, hair oil, and hair mask. It is best applied to the scalp and hair at least an hour before shampoo. Pour a generous amount into your palms and rub it to heat the oil a little. This castor oil is thick and sticky, and it will be easier to massage on your scalp and hair once it heats on your palms. Applying castor oil before washing can prevent too much stripping while avoiding product build-up from keeping the product too long on your scalp and hair. You can also apply this on your lashes and eyebrows using cotton swabs.
Pros:
- 100% pure castor oil
- Free from chemicals, preservatives, additives, and dyes
- It has USDA organic certification
Cons: This product is a little challenging to apply because it is too sticky.
Bottomline: Best Overall Yellow Cold-Pressed Castor Oil For Curly Hair
Castor Oil For Curly Hair Buying Guide
What Is Castor Oil For Curly Hair?
Castor oil is a thick and odorless vegetable oil extracted from Ricinus communis plant seeds, commonly known as castor beans. It has been used for multiple health and beauty purposes since ancient civilizations. Castor oil is a popular natural hair treatment because of its hair moisturizing, healing, and strengthening properties. Although insufficient clinical studies support the claim that it also promotes hair growth, many testimonials among castor oil users affirm its efficacy in lengthening and thickening hair strands.
How Does Castor Oil For Curly Hair Work?
Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that acts as a humectant. As you all know, humectants draw and retain moisture, keeping hair nourished and hydrated for prolonged periods. Since the natural oils from the scalp do not travel smoothly on curly and kinky strands as compared to those with straight and wavy hair types, castor oil provides the necessary moisture to keep hair from too much drying, frizziness, brittleness, and breakage.
Castor oil is also rich in Vitamin E, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. It can help improve overall scalp health and prevent dandruff.
What Is The Best Castor Oil For Curly Hair?
The best castor oil for curly hair is the Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil. It is 100% pure, organic, and it is packed with vitamins and minerals that help nourish dry and damaged curly hair. To cap that, it is also very affordable!
- AUTHENTIC, RICH & POTENT: Our Original JBCO formula has a medium consistency, a light ashy aroma and a high ash content, ideal for promoting healthy hair growth. Sunny Isle's organic castor seeds are roasted and ground by a manual grinder and then the crushed beans are boiled to extract the 100% pure, dark brown, organic oil.
Types Of Castor Oil For Curly Hair?
There are two types of castor oil for curly hair. These are the yellow cold-pressed castor oil and the black castor oil. They differ in the oil extraction process, color, and composition.
Yellow Castor Oil
Based on the name itself, the first type of castor oil has a yellow tint. It is extracted using a cold-press process, where pressure is applied to separate the oil from the meat of raw castor beans. This process retains all the vitamins and nutrients while eliminating Ricin, a harmful substance in natural castor beans. Yellow Castor Oil is most commonly used as a natural hair care treatment and as an ingredient in DIY and commercial skin and hair care products.
Black Castor Oil
The second type of castor oil for curly hair is the Black Castor Oil, more popularly known as Jamaican Black Castor Oil because the extraction process originated from Jamaica. Like Yellow Castor Oil, Black Castor Oil is derived from castor beans. The difference in their color is mainly because the castor beans are roasted first (thus producing ash) before they are pressed to separate the oil.
While the Yellow Castor Oil and the Jamaican Black Castor Oil contain essential vitamins and nutrients that promote healthy scalp and hair, the curly hair community regards the Black Castor Oil as more beneficial for those with type 3 and type 4 hair. The high ash content of Black Castor Oil makes it suitable for curly hair pH levels. Also, the ash is believed to help purify the scalp and thicken the hair strands.
How To Use Castor Oil For Curly Hair?
Like I said earlier, there is no single way to use castor oil for curly hair. To give you an idea, I listed some of the most common ways to use castor oil as part of your curly hair care routine.
Detangler
Curly and kinky hair is prone to tangling and knotting. That is why washing, brushing, and styling textured hair can be challenging. But no need to worry because castor oil is an excellent detangler. All you need to do is pour a generous amount into your palm and apply and massage it to your curls. Castor oil will provide slip to your strands allowing the knots and tangles to loosen.
Pre-Shampoo Scalp Massage and Hair Oil
Washing curly and coily hair can strip off natural hair oil. To prevent your scalp and hair from drying too much during washing, you can use castor oil as a pre-shampoo scalp massage and hair oil. Apply it generously to your scalp and hair and leave it for five to ten minutes before washing it using your sulfate-free shampoo.
Post-Protective Hairstyle Take Down
Another great way to use castor oil is to apply it to your hair after you remove your protective hairstyle. Doing this will help your hair repair and rejuvenate faster.
Hot Oil
Hot oil treatment is one of the best ways to use castor oil for curly hair. Begin with detangling your hair. Next, apply more castor oil throughout your hair. Then, tie your hair in a bun. After, wear your hot head cover for 15 to 20 minutes to complete the process. To finish, use your sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash to wash your scalp and hair. Use a bit of castor oil after a Dominican blowout to lock in moisture.
Incorporate Favorite Hair Care Products
An easy way to get the benefits of castor oil without adding another hair care step to your routine is simply adding it to your favorite hair care products. You can pour castor oil into your shampoo, leave-in conditioner, curling creams, and light hair oils. If you’re thinking of having curtain bangs on curly hair or a curly wedding hairstyle, add it to your hair care routine.
Feature To Look For In Castor Oil For Curly Hair?
Just because the product label includes “castor oil” does not automatically mean it is pure, high-quality, and suitable for your hair type and needs. This section listed some essential features for buying castor oil for curly hair.
Ingredients
The most important feature to check when buying castor oil for curly hair is the ingredient list. Less is more, especially if you are buying plain castor oil. You only need Ricinus communis oil in the ingredient list. I highly suggest avoiding products with preservatives, additives, and fragrances. On the other hand, if you are buying castor oil for curly hair products, as much as possible, choose products that do not contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, petroleum, and mineral oil.
Origin
The second feature to consider is the origin of the raw material or the product itself. Check if the source is a legitimate castor farm or castor-rich land. Remember that castor grows in hot and humid countries like India. It will help you to visit the company’s website to locate the source of the castor oil that you intend to buy.
Product Indication
You must check the product indication when buying castor oil for curly hair. Some manufacturers produce castor oil for industrial purposes. Others formulate castor oil products for the skin. Make sure that what you are buying is intended explicitly for hair care.
Certifications
Authentic, organic, 100% natural, and cold-pressed castor oil for curly hair comes with certifications. You can look for the certificate in the packaging or company website.
Manufacturer
As with buying other products, it helps to run a background check on your chosen castor oil manufacturer for curly hair products. Especially if you purchase on third-party websites like Amazon, take some time to visit the company’s website to check their overall profile.
Reviews
Lastly, read reviews of the castor oil for curly hair products you want. Feedback from other users will give you an idea of the pros, cons, possible risks, and side effects based on first-hand experiences. Reading reviews will help you narrow your options. It can also save you time and money from purchasing not-so-good products.
Common Questions About Castor Oil For Curly Hair
Is castor oil good for curly hair?
Yes. Castor oil is a thick natural oil rich in Vitamin E and ricinoleic acid. These nutrients draw and retain hair moisture which most curly and kinky hair needs since natural oil from the scalp does not flow smoothly to textured hair strands. Because castor oil keeps curly and kinky hair nourished, it lessens hair dryness, frizziness, brittleness, and breakage. As a result, it makes curls look healthier and more defined.
Do you put castor oil in wet or dry hair?
You can put castor oil to dry and damp hair. Although, applying castor oil on damp hair makes absorption easier. If your hair is dry, use a spray bottle to dampen your hair before applying castor oil.
Does castor oil make hair curlier?
Castor oil moisturizes dry curls and coils. As a result, the curls look healthier and more defined after.
How long do I leave castor oil on my curly hair?
You can keep castor oil for as short as five to ten minutes if you use it for pre-shampoo hair care. Keep the castor oil under a heat cap for fifteen to twenty minutes if you want to use it as a hot oil conditioner. The longest you can leave castor oil on your hair overnight or in-between hair wash if you use it as a deep hair moisturizer.
Enjoy Your New Castor Oil For Curly Hair
If you haven’t already, it is never too late to incorporate castor oil for curly hair care. This natural oil provides hair moisturizing, repairing, strengthening, and, some claims, thickening benefits. It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that nourish dry, frizzy, brittle, and unruly curls and coils.
Whether you buy pure castor oil or hair care products with castor oil, your kinks will love it. This simple addition to your hair routine allows you to embrace your unique hair type and enhance your hair quality.
