COLD PRESSED CASTOR OIL

You have tried the serums, the shampoos and the ones with the long ingredient lists. Your ajji only ever used one thing.

Haralenne. Castor oil. Thick, slow, unglamorous, and still in almost every Indian home two generations later — which tells you something the marketing budgets do not.

What it actually does

Castor oil is 85–90% ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid found in almost no other oil. It is a humectant, so it draws and holds moisture, and it has documented anti-inflammatory properties. A well-moisturised, less irritated scalp is simply a better place for hair to grow.

It also coats the shaft, so hair snaps less when you comb it. Less breakage means you keep the length you were losing. Most people who say castor oil “grew” their hair are describing this.

What it does not do

It will not regrow hair where the follicle has stopped working, and it does not treat pattern hair loss. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. We would rather you buy this knowing what it is.

How to actually use it

1. Dilute it. One part castor to two parts coconut or sesame oil — pure castor is very hard to wash out.
2. Warm it slightly by standing the bottle in warm water.
3. Apply along the partings, not the lengths. Massage five minutes.
4. Leave 1–2 hours. Overnight adds little and ruins a pillowcase.
5. Shampoo dry hair first, before adding water. Castor resists rinsing.
6. Twice a week. More causes buildup.

Why ours

• Cold pressed — no heat, no solvent, no refining
• No additives, no fragrance, no fillers
• Thick and nutrient-dense — a small amount goes far
• Also works on dry skin, cuticles and lips

Check us before you buy

FSSAI licence 1122632300006. Verify it yourself on the FSSAI FoSCoS portal. 1,765 reviews on this oil alone. 8,637 across our range at 4.65 out of 5.

Patch test behind the ear and wait 24 hours before first use. This is general information, not medical advice — for sudden or significant hair loss, see a dermatologist.