Castor Oil for Low Porosity Hair: Efficacy and Benefits
Written by Kayla Davis
Updated on
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When hair issues related to low-porosity hair type are brought to the table, the immediate treatment recommendation is light oils due to low-porosity hair’s inability to hold onto moisture. For that reason, argan oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, pomegranate oil, or sweet almond oil are usually associated with low porosity hair.
Heavy oils like castor oil are always ruled out as they’re usually linked to high or medium-porosity hair or because these hair types can soak up all the nutrients. Nevertheless, heavy oils can also be useful if you really understand the compatibility with the hair.
This article elaborates on castor oil in detail, provides a scientific approach to hair compatibility with castor oil and low-porosity hair, and offers some advice from trustworthy trichologists. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful if you feel underinformed about the castor oil for low porosity hair relationship.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
What is Castor Oil?
The old Indians are one of the first to identify the medical and cosmetic benefits of castor oil or Ricinus communis. They used to cultivate castor plants and process the plant to get oil, and nowadays, we still rely on the good ol’ recipe when it comes to natural hair remedies.
The chemical content of castor oil includes a glycerol molecule with hydroxyl group esterifies and long-chain fatty acid. In plain English, it’s heavy oil. However, these fatty acids have nourishing properties for hair overall. For example, when applied directly to your hair, it can boost your hair growth, enhance your scalp condition, and restore the shiny look of your hair.
The castor oil comes in transparent or yellowish color depending on the processing method. If it’s derived through roasting or boiling, then it’s black castor oil.
Benefits of Castor Oil
As mentioned, castor oil has multiple beauty benefits, especially hair, so let’s review how it contributes to a healthy and shiny mane!
Hydrates and Moisturizes the Hair
The amino acids which are in the castor oil molecule act as a balsam for the hair. If you have dry hair, you will find this oil a lifesaver. Additionally, the Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids in the structure of castor oil are known emollients, so they help trap moisture into the strands and keep the hair hydrated. Since it’s heavy oil, it can easily penetrate deep into the hair and seal in that moisture, resulting in a shiny and luscious look.
Improves Scalp Condition
As we tend to experiment with various hair products enriched with proteins, oils, etc., we often end up with an uncharming snowy scalp, oily roots, or acne. These scalp conditions are a result of infection, be it from an inappropriate hair product, bad hygiene, or simply normal seasonal infections (the scalp is prone to catching bacteria and fungi during the colder months.), Getting the scalp condition back to normal takes time, and using inappropriate hair products only worsens the situation and prolongs the recovery time.
But, old Indians had their own way of dealing with such issues, and that’s why they cultivated castor oil so much. The fatty acids in the oil have antibacterial properties, which effectively improve the scalp condition. Additionally, castor oil acts as an inflammation reliever in case of an itching scalp or even eczema.
Stimulates Hair Growth
Since castor oil is heavy oil, that means it can get deep into the hair instead of only coating around the strand like light oils do. Therefore, as it can get inside the hair follicles, it can nourish the hair and get healthy and shiny strands from the inside.
However, you must apply once or twice a week castor oil directly to your scalp with circular and soft massaging. Make sure you don’t rub your scalp and cover every inch of your head. It takes 3-4 minutes to do this treatment, but the results are fantastic. You will boost blood circulation, thus stimulating hair growth.
Additionally, it’s also recommended for people who undergo hair loss. The vitamin E saturation in the oil is more than enough to improve the hair strand. As you will see later, castor oil must be combined to have better results on this issue.
Is Castor Oil Beneficial for All Hair Types?
The benefits of castor oil are evident and supported with scientific evidence, as we’ll see later in the text. But, before we get to that part, we must establish castor oil compatibility with hair’s moisture absorption capacity.
Namely, you could have high, medium, or low porosity hair. If it takes ages for your hair to dry, or you’ve noticed that it doesn’t absorb moisture, you’re dealing with low-porosity hair. High porosity hair, on the contrary, absorbs moisture faster. We can say that medium porosity hair is normal and doesn’t have problems with getting or retaining moisture.
High porosity hair works excellently with heavy oils as it can soak them in. However, as low-porosity hair has more difficulty with moisture absorption and retention, especially thick oils, castor oil is often cast out as an incompatible oil for that hair type.
However, there is scientific evidence that defies the theory that castor oil shouldn’t be part of the low porosity hair oils.
Castor Oil for Low Porosity Hair
The fame of castor oil and hair benefits seems to be rising nowadays, but many users complain that they have no evident hair improvements. Many articles claim that castor oil is not recommended for low-porosity or even medium-porosity hair because the hair cannot absorb moisture.
Scientifically, it’s not that castor oil doesn’t work, but you may not be familiar with the pH levels of the hair vs. oils and how they cooperate together.
Namely, there are two types of castor oil: cold pressed and Jamaican black castor oil. The difference between these two is that cold-pressed castor oil is more acidic or has a low pH level, whereas black castor oil is alkaline or it has a high pH level. So, to have healthy natural hair, you must have a good pH balance. In other words, you need to determine your hair’s pH level and apply the appropriate castor oil.
Experts Opinion
What’s known and verified about castor oil is that it’s saturated with ricinoleic acid, which is the anti-inflammatory fatty acid that soothes the scalp and revives the hair. Chemically, these fatty acids are long-chained. When applied to the hair, they nourish the hair follicles by providing proteins and other nutrients and preventing inflammation in the applied area. Therefore, we can conclude that castor oil works well for dry scalp and dry hair.
Once we have established the main benefit of the oil, our second dilemma is whether castor oil stimulates hair growth. Although many believe castor oil can stimulate hair growth because it’s rich in the necessary nutrients, Dr. Reslan explains that no specific studies can confirm that castor oil alone can boost hair growth or work well on low porosity hair. In fact, other factors influence low porosity hair or hair growth, such as overall health, diet, age, hair care routines, hormones, and genetics.
Therefore, if you want to improve your overall hair health, you will have to do additional tests and consult a doctor to prescribe you a better and more accurate hair therapy.
The Best Castor Oil for Low Porosity Hair
We did our research on castor oil for low-porosity hair, and here’s the best pick.
Kreyol Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil
Kreyol Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil is the perfect solution for people with low porosity hair. This premium, all-natural oil is specially formulated to deeply penetrate the hair shaft, providing the nourishment and moisture that low porosity hair needs. Made from 100% pure, cold-pressed Haitian black castor oil, this versatile oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that promote healthy hair growth, improve hair texture and reduce frizz.
This oil is specially formulated to nourish and strengthen hair, promoting healthy hair growth, and improving hair texture. It absorbs quickly and it’s non-greasy formula won’t leave a residue.
Kreyol Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil is also cruelty-free and vegan. The product is also free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, and artificial colors. This oil is also great for all hair types and can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment, hot oil treatment, scalp oil or as a sealant for hair.
For people with low porosity hair, this oil is a great solution as it can penetrate the hair shaft and provide the moisture that low porosity hair needs. Its high viscosity allows it to seal and retain the moisture in the hair.
Is Hair Oiling Good for Low Porosity Hair?
Of course. Although hair oiling is more recommended for high porosity hair, especially when it comes to thin hair issues, despite the popular belief that low porosity hair won’t absorb the dense layer of oil, there is scientific evidence that a thick oil can improve the low porosity structure and provide a hair look as straight from the saloon.
Final Words
There isn’t a general formula for healthy hair. As you’ve seen in the text above, the low porosity hair oils don’t only include olive oil, coconut oil, or other light oils, but also, a thick oil-like castor can do the trick.
If there’s one formula that we recommend taking from this article, then that must be the pH balance. To get that moistured hair, you must learn your pH level (whether acidic or alkaline) and add the opposite oil complex to neutralize the condition.
Ultimately, you must develop a healthy hair care routine that includes heat and styling products and an appropriate diet, high hygiene, and more natural oils.
We hope that you’ve found this article helpful and that you’ve learned more about castor oil and how it applies to low-porosity hair types.
About the Author
Kayla DavisKayla Davis is a self-proclaimed skincare and haircare junkie who loves testing out new products and writing about her experiences. Her bathroom shelves are always overflowing with beauty products. You name it - it's there.