Less than you think
Castor oil is far thicker than most oils. A drop does a brow, two or three pumps do a head of hair.
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The Castor Oil Company
One bottle, five everyday rituals. How much to use on hair, brows, face, nails and skin, how long to leave it, and how to get it off again.
How much, at a glance
Before you start
Whatever you are using it on, the same four things decide whether it feels good or just feels greasy.
Castor oil is far thicker than most oils. A drop does a brow, two or three pumps do a head of hair.
Rub it between your fingertips or palms. Warm oil spreads further, so you use less.
A small amount on a small area of skin, then wait 24–48 hours before the first full use.
To remove it, apply cleanser or shampoo to dry skin or hair first, then add water.
01 · Hair
The weekly ritual most people start with. Worked through the lengths, left to sit, washed out.
Warm in your palms, work from the ends up, twist and wrap in a towel, then shampoo dry hair before wetting it.
02 · Brows
A single drop, brushed in at night as part of winding down.
Put one drop on a clean spoolie, not your fingertip. Brush through in an upward, outward motion, apply sparingly, and keep clear of the lash line and eye area.
03 · Face
Use it on its own as a rich moisturiser on dry areas, or blend a few drops into your existing serum or balm.
Best on damp skin. Press in with clean fingertips, or roll a single pass along the cheekbones and jaw and press it in. Keep clear of the eye area.
04 · Nails
The quickest ritual on the page. A drop per nail, worked in while you watch something.
Drop onto each cuticle, massage in small circles for a few seconds, then let it sit. Cotton gloves overnight if you want it to stay put.
05 · Skin
For the thicker-skinned spots that feel rough after a dry week.
Apply to skin that is still slightly damp from the shower. For heels, put socks on straight after so the oil stays on your feet and off the floor.
Where not to use it
Keep it on the brow, never on the lash line or in the eye. For anything around the eye area, speak with a healthcare professional first.
Use it on intact skin only. If you notice any redness, itchiness or discomfort, discontinue use immediately.
This is a cosmetic oil for external use only. Keep it out of reach of children.
Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a skin or scalp condition — speak with a doctor or healthcare professional first.
Your questions, answered simply
A small family business, committed to natural beauty and simplicity. We use the product ourselves. Still curious? We answer every email.
Less than you think. One drop for brows or a nail, a few drops for the face, two to three pumps for mid-length hair. Castor oil is thick, so a little spreads a long way.
Apply a small amount to your skin and wait 24–48 hours. If you notice any redness, itchiness, or discomfort, don't use the oil. Everyone's skin can react differently, and irritation can happen even with natural products — if this occurs, discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have a pre-existing skin condition.
Apply shampoo or cleanser to the dry, oiled area first, massage it in, then add water and rinse. Wetting first makes the cleanser slide straight off.
For hair, once or twice a week as a pre-wash or overnight treatment. For skin, nails and brows, nightly is fine — a few drops is plenty. Let how your skin and hair feel set the pace.
Keep it on the brow hair and away from the eye and lash line. For anything around the eye area, we’d suggest speaking with a healthcare professional first.
At two or three pumps once a week for hair, around eighty treatments — well over a year for most people. Brows and nails use a single drop, so it goes further still. Keep it in a cupboard rather than a windowsill.
This page provides general information related to cosmetic and personal care use only. Our products are not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. Always patch test before use, and consult a professional for personal care advice if needed. Individual experiences may vary.
The oil itself
One 500ml bottle covers every ritual on this page. Amber glass, a pump for measuring, hexane-free and single ingredient. Add the roll-on for face and body.
