Is Castor Oil or Rosemary Oil Better for Your Hair? A Trichologist Settles the Debate
Discover the hair growth oil that works best for your hair type or concern
When it comes to hair oils, the options seem endless. And while almost all of them claim to provide some sort of benefit to hair, there are two that are arguably the most popular—and beneficial—when it comes to supporting our hair and scalp health as well as promoting hair growth: castor oil and rosemary oil. The two are constantly being raved about on social media and recommended by hair experts and dermatologists. However, we must beg the question: which one is better? We tapped a trichologist to answer all of your burning questions on castor oil vs. rosemary oil for hair growth and which one is best for you.
About castor oil and rosemary oil
Before trying any type of hair treatment, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re putting on your scalp and hair.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil “comes from the seeds of the caster bean plant, formerly known as ricinus communis,” says Kerry Yates, trichologist and founder of Colour Collective. “Considered to be once quite poisonous, the oil extracted from the seeds is quite beneficial for the hair.” It’s antibacterial and antifungal, making it excellent for skin and hair health.
What is rosemary oil?
Rosemary oil is extracted from the rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) plant. It’s anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants and has been used in cooking, aromatherapy, to improve circulation, beauty treatments—including skincare and hair care—and more for years. It has an amazing, calming scent and feels so soothing on the scalp.
Castor oil vs. rosemary oil for hair growth
Both oils have a wide range of benefits, especially when it comes to hair and the scalp.
The benefits of castor oil
Castor oil is high in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, which makes it an excellent conditioner and natural emollient for the hair, explains Yates. You can use castor oil as a pre-shampoo treatment, which should be applied on the mid-lengths and ends, “to help alleviate the dryness sometimes caused by shampooing super damaged ends,” advises Yates. “The castor oil mix will protect the damaged ends from becoming over-dry due to the detergents found in shampoos or even the harshness of the water.”
Castor oil can also be used as a heat protectant, as well as a way to mend split ends, says Yates. “It keeps frizz at bay in addition to smoothing the cuticle down, preventing split ends.”
As far as hair growth goes, castor oil’s plentiful ricinoleic acid has been said to promote hair growth as well as brow and lash growth, Yates tells us.
The benefits of rosemary oil
As mentioned previously, rosemary oil is anti-inflammatory and loaded with antioxidants. These properties “help to alleviate inflammation and fight against free radicals,” Yates tells us. Plus, rosemary oil is excellent at promoting blood circulation, and when you combine it with a massaging technique as you would if you applied it to the scalp, you’re getting even more circulation and oxygen flow, which can in turn, promote hair growth. “By improving blood circulation, you can improve the anagen hair cycle phase. Overall, when you improve follicle health, you ultimately benefit follicle fitness,” says Yates.
Massaging rosemary oil onto the scalp can also help feed hair follicles, she explains and rid the scalp of inflammation. All of this helps to create a healthy scalp environment for hair growth.
Is castor oil or rosemary oil better for hair?
There’s no one-size-fits-all, end-all-be-all answer to whether castor oil or rosemary oil is better. Everyone’s hair is different and has different needs, and therefore will respond differently to hair oils and products. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow based on your hair and scalp type that can help you decide whether castor oil or rosemary oil is better for you.
For an oily scalp and thinning hair: Choose rosemary oil
If you have an oily scalp, your best bet is likely going to be opting for rosemary oil, says Yates. Since it’s anti-inflammatory, it can help ward off dandruff, and it’s great for “anyone struggling with fine or thinning hair.”
For a dry scalp and dry hair: Go for castor oil
Castor oil’s conditioning and nourishing agents make it excellent for those with dry, brittle hair and damaged, split ends. It’s a bit stickier and thicker than rosemary oil, so Yates recommends not using it on its own and instead mixing it with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil (she says to “mix a minimum of 4 parts carrier oil with 1 part castor oil”).
Like rosemary oil, castor oil is said to help promote hair growth, which can make it great for those with thinning hair. And as mentioned, it can even help promote lash and brow growth!
While using hair oils can be a game-changer, something to keep in mind is that “scalp challenges can be solved with a regimen of both internal and topical treatments,” advises Yates. “Follow a healthy diet, balance any vitamin deficiencies, keep the scalp clean, massage to alleviate tightness and tension and don’t abuse your hair by pulling and scraping your scalp.”
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