Castor oil is one of the most popular natural beauty ingredients for eyelash and eyebrow growth, and this is a well-sourced, USDA-certified, cold-pressed, hexane-free version. Before recommending it for its primary marketed purpose, it's important to be direct: there is currently no high-quality clinical trial evidence that castor oil actually stimulates new eyelash growth.

Who This Product Is For

People interested in a conditioning, moisturizing treatment for eyelashes and eyebrows who understand it as a cosmetic conditioning product rather than a clinically-proven growth stimulant.

Features Explained

The honest evidence picture: Clinical evidence for castor oil as an eyelash growth treatment is limited and primarily anecdotal, with no high-quality randomized controlled trials directly demonstrating that it stimulates new growth. A 2021 trial examined periocular castor oil for blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) symptoms, not lash growth specifically.

What castor oil genuinely can do: As a thick, occlusive oil, castor oil can coat the lash and eyebrow hair shaft, reducing moisture loss and potentially making hair appear thicker and glossier.

Pros

  • High-quality, well-sourced oil, a genuine quality marker for a topical product
  • Can provide real, plausible conditioning and moisture-sealing benefits
  • Very low cost relative to clinically-proven prescription options

Cons

  • No high-quality clinical trial evidence that it actually stimulates new eyelash or eyebrow growth
  • The one relevant, better-designed study examined an unrelated outcome
  • Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA

Performance

Expect castor oil to function as a genuine conditioning and moisture-sealing treatment rather than a proven mechanism for stimulating new eyelash growth.

FAQs

Does castor oil really make eyelashes grow? There's no high-quality clinical trial evidence supporting this popular claim.

What does castor oil actually do for lashes? It can coat and condition the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and potentially reducing breakage.

Verdict

Despite being one of the most popular eyelash-growth products on the market, castor oil doesn't have high-quality clinical trial evidence demonstrating it stimulates new lash growth. It does offer real, plausible conditioning benefits.