Suffering with brittle and dry nails?
Want to grow your nails longer but unable to do so because you're scared they'll break?
Castor oil is an all-in-one treatment that may help your brittle nails grow and strengthen them. The health of your nails may be improved with the use of castor oil.
In addition to this, it maintains the nails as well as nourishes and moisturizes them in order to improve nail strength (1).
Castor oil is often used in nail oils since it is known to be useful for the nourishment of nails and cuticles. In this article, we will discuss how you can use castor oil for nail growth.
About Castor Oil
Before winding up the article, let’s learn a few more things about castor oil. Castor oil is extracted from the castor bean of the Ricinus communis plant. The 3 castor oil uses that made it quite popular are in skincare, hair care and digestive care. Castor oil is obtained from the perennial flowering plant from the species Euphorbiaceae. Castor oil can help soothe nail irritation. It also promotes follicle health and prevents split ends. The oil is a humectant that keeps the nails, hair and skin moisturized.
Why Apply Castor Oil?
The ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has potent capabilities, making it a great addition to your beauty routine. Castor oil is used most often as an alternative to facial cleansers that are made from natural ingredients. Cold-pressed castor oil, which is rich in vitamin E, may be used on its own or as a blend with other natural or essential oils. It prevents dryness in the skin and hair.
How Castor Oil Benefits in Growing Nails
Castor oil is widely known for its nourishing and strengthening properties, making it an excellent choice for nail growth and health. Here’s how castor oil benefits your nails:
- Rich in Ricinoleic Acid – Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, a powerful moisturizer that keeps nails hydrated and prevents brittleness.
- Strengthens Nail Structure – The omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil reinforce the nail bed, making nails less prone to breaking or splitting.
- Promotes Blood Circulation – When massaged into the cuticles and nail bed, castor oil stimulates circulation, supporting stronger and faster nail growth.
- Fights Fungal Infections – Thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, castor oil helps protect nails from fungal infections that can hinder growth.
- Prevents Nail Peeling and Splitting – The deep moisturizing properties of castor oil keep nails from peeling and becoming brittle, ensuring they grow longer and healthier.
Uses and Benefits of Castor Oil for Nail Growth
1. Helps with Nail Growth
Can't grow your nails? Try using cold-pressed castor oil. Castor oil is rich in essential fatty acids and various nourishing components that promote blood circulation and hydrate the cuticles. This stimulates the development of nails, ensuring that they remain robust and healthy, thanks to its ricinoleic acid content (2).
How to Apply it?
Dab castor oil on the nail bed and then leave them overnight. The growth and development of your nails will be improved as castor oil is packed with vitamin e, omega-9 and omega 6.
2. Provides Nutrients for the Cuticle
Castor oil is your holy grail if you have dry cuticles or flaky skin around your nails. Castor oil has a texture that is very thick, and you can easily massage your nails with it in order to provide the nails with strength (3). Castor oil is also known to have various beauty benefits.
How to Apply it?
Clean your nails after thoroughly washing them. Castor oil should be massaged into the nails and cuticles for five minutes. For best results, use castor oil regularly in your daily routine. Castor oil provides hydration to the nails and prevents impurities from hiding under it.
3. Strengthens Nails
If your nails have become brittle, they break more often due to an injury. Castor oil has been shown to help strengthen nails while also making them more robust and flexible (4).
Vitamin E hydrates the cuticles, which increases blood flow around the region and ultimately strengthens the nail beds. Castor oil is the most effective oil for strengthening nails.
How to Apply it?
Simply use a cotton ball and apply castor oil on the nails and leave overnight to get rid of brittle nails.
4. Avoids Chipping
If you have fragile nails, castor oil helps. The chemical that makes nails yellowish is found in nail polish and therefore you should avoid using unbranded nail paints. Over a period of time, it can result in breakage
If you have dry or brittle nails, apply castor oil to get healthy nails. The nail beds are strengthened by the high vitamin E content of castor oil, making it a great manicure starter.
How to Apply it?
Soak your fingers in a bowl of warm water. Apply castor oil to your cuticles and nails and massage it thoroughly. Castor oil should be applied to the nails regularly to prevent the nails from chipping and drying.
Different Ways to Use Castor Oil for Nails Growth
There are multiple ways to incorporate castor oil into your nail care routine:
Direct Application
- Simply massage a few drops of castor oil onto your nails and cuticles before bedtime.
- This helps seal moisture, strengthen the nail structure, and prevent cracking.
Castor Oil Nail Soak
- Mix 1 tablespoon of castor oil with a few drops of lemon juice.
- Soak your nails for 10-15 minutes for a deep conditioning treatment.
- Rinse and massage the remaining oil into your nails.
Castor Oil & Vitamin E Nail Massage
- Combine equal parts castor oil and vitamin E oil in a small bottle.
- Massage onto nails every night for maximum hydration and growth support.
Castor Oil with Essential Oils
- Blend castor oil with tea tree oil for an anti-fungal nail treatment.
- Mix with lavender or rosemary essential oil for a soothing and strengthening effect.
DIY Recipes With Castor Oil for Nail Growth
Nail treatment need not be expensive or messy. The next time you look at your fingers and find your nails to be brittle that peel easily or have white spots then think about castor oil for nails. It is always a smart idea to use organic products to treat nail issues.
Natural solutions are cheaper than cosmetics and long term use does not cause any side effects. Now, let’s learn about a few DIY recipes using castor oil for nails and cuticles.
DIY Recipe - Upkeep Nail Health with Castor Oil and Olive Oil
A firm handshake portrays a person’s confidence and good nails show the person’s health and affinity to personal hygiene. Using castor oil for nails regularly nourishes the nails by giving the fingers the right nutrients. The oil makes the nails soft and healthy. Here’s the simple recipe using castor and olive oils for nail health.
Ingredients
- 15 drops of castor oil
- 15 drops of extra virgin olive oil
- Tea tree essential oil or thyme essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- The nails need to be manicured and the nail polish removed. Use a nail polish remover to remove the nail polish. Use a cutter and file to cut long nails and get it to shape.
- Next, wash and scrub the fingers to remove dead skin.
- Mix the oils and use a cotton pad to soak the oil. Now, apply the pad on the cuticles of the nails.
- Massage the oil on the nails and fingertips with the cotton pad for a few minutes.
- Apply it at night and leave it overnight.
For more DIY recipes and tips on maintaining healthy fingernails, you might find this article on essential oil roller bottle blends for healthy fingernails helpful.
Castor Oil & Coconut Oil Nail Strengthener
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon castor oil
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix the oils together and store in a small bottle.
- Apply daily using a cotton swab or dropper.
- Massage into the nail bed and cuticles for stronger nails.
Castor Oil & Lemon Juice Nail Brightener
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Mix both ingredients in a small bowl.
- Apply to nails using a cotton pad.
- Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Helps brighten discolored nails and promote growth.
Castor Oil & Garlic Nail Growth Booster
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon castor oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic-infused oil (or 1 clove crushed garlic mixed with oil)
Instructions:
- Mix both oils together and apply to nails and cuticles.
- Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
- The sulfur compounds in garlic help boost nail growth.
Castor Oil vs. Other Nail Growth Oils
| Oil Type | Key Benefits for Nails | Best For | Additional Properties |
| Castor Oil | Strengthens nails, boosts growth, prevents breakage | Weak, brittle nails | Antifungal, deeply moisturizing |
| Coconut Oil | Hydrates cuticles, reduces peeling | Dry, flaky nails | Antibacterial, nourishing |
| Olive Oil | Softens cuticles, promotes flexibility | Hard, brittle nails | Rich in antioxidants |
| Vitamin E Oil | Enhances nail shine, prevents cracking | Aging nails | Repairs damage, promotes elasticity |
| Jojoba Oil | Mimics natural oils, absorbs quickly | Sensitive nails | Non-greasy, fast-absorbing |
Safety and Precautions
Castor oil has a low toxicity level and has nourishing properties, which make it safe for use in cosmetics for skincare, haircare and nails.
Some individuals might have an allergic response to the oil which might result in rashes on the skin and skin inflammation (5).
Before applying castor oil to the nails, make sure to do a patch test. Discontinue the use of castor oil if it causes any kind of irritation or reaction. It is important to keep castor oil out of the eyes. It is important for people to exercise caution while swallowing castor oil since it is a laxative.
About Castor Oil
Before winding up the article, let’s learn a few more things about castor oil. Castor oil is extracted from the castor bean of the Ricinus communis plant. The 3 castor oil uses that made it quite popular are in skincare and hair care.
Castor oil is obtained from the perennial flowering plant from the species Euphorbiaceae. Castor oil can help soothe nail irritation. It also promotes follicle health and prevents split ends. The oil is a humectant that keeps the nails, hair and skin moisturized.
Conclusion
Castor oil is a popular remedy for nail growth. This oil has the potential to assist nail growth and make nails stronger and healthier. It prevents chipping of nails and improves cuticle development.
However, before applying castor oil to the nails, make sure to check that your castor oil is dermatologists recommended. If it causes any unwanted reactions, then contact your primary care physician at the earliest.
