Castor oil, a solution for eyebrow care?

Beyond their protective role for the eyes, eyebrows are an undeniable charm asset. A beautiful line of eyebrows can make all the difference in enhancing a gaze and structuring a face. The castor oil, primarily known for its beneficial action on the hair, could have similar effects on the eyebrows and establish itself as an essential for their care.

• Castor oil for moisturising and nourishing the eyebrows.

  Hairs, wherever they are located on the body, require regular hydration to remain in optimal health. Rich in fatty acids, particularly ricinoleic and oleic acids, castor oil coats the eyebrows and strengthens the hydrolipidic film present on their surface. Less dry and less brittle, the eyebrows are also better protected from dehydration and external aggressions and appear stronger.

  Palmitic acid is also found in castor oil. This fatty acid, with a molecular structure similar to the lipids of the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair, is capable of integrating into the fibres through biomimicry to act as an intercellular cement. By improving the cohesion of the cuticle cells, castor oil ensures the impermeability of the internal layers of eyebrow hairs and preserves their elasticity.

• Castor oil for styling eyebrows.

  The thick nature of castor oil not only allows it to hydrate eyebrow hairs, but also to soften them. This makes it easier to style them and shape them as desired. Castor oil can also be used as an eyebrow gel, with the aim of setting their structure. For a natural and not too stiff effect, be sure to use a small amount of castor oil.

• Castor oil for protecting eyebrows from oxidative stress.

  Just like skin and hair, eyebrows are susceptible to the attack of free radicals. These are particularly generated following exposure to UV rays, pollution or tobacco, and can weaken the hair follicles and hasten hair fall. To combat oxidative stress, it is recommended to regularly use antioxidants, such as castor oil. This ingredient indeed exhibits an interesting antioxidant activity, recently highlighted by a DPPH test.

  The concentration of castor oil required to inhibit half of the DPPH° radical within 30 minutes (IC50) was evaluated at 19.02 µg/mL. It is customary to consider that an active ingredient has good antioxidant properties when its IC50 is less than 50 µg/mL, a condition met by castor oil. This study therefore seems to suggest that castor oil could be an ally in protecting the eyebrows from the harmful effects of oxidative stress.

• Castor oil to stimulate eyebrow growth?

  Shunned in the early 2000s, thick eyebrows have made a comeback in recent years. However, for those who were previously heavy-handed during hair removal, it can be challenging to regain a full brow line. Yet, there are reasons to believe that castor oil could promote eyebrow growth. Indeed, the ricinoleic acid it contains is capable of inhibiting the activity of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). This protein, in synergy with its metabolite 15-dPGJ2, interrupts the hair cycle by binding to the molecular receptor GPR44. Therefore, it can be hypothesised that castor oil could stimulate hair growth.

  Note : While castor oil can potentially stimulate eyebrow growth, it cannot increase the thickness of a naturally thin eyebrow line. Eyebrow density is determined by the natural distribution of hair follicles, these structures where hairs take root. Castor oil cannot create new follicles but it can possibly help to strengthen and maximise the growth of existing hairs.

The regular application of castor oil can thus be beneficial for the eyebrows. To do this, start with a clean and dry face, free from any traces of makeup, sebum, and impurities. Then take a small amount of castor oil using a cotton swab or a clean eyebrow brush. Apply the oil by gently smoothing your eyebrows, following the natural direction of hair growth. Then gently massage the area with your fingers to promote the oil's penetration. It is recommended to let the castor oil work overnight, taking care not to rub your eyebrows against the pillow. If you feel the need, you can rinse your eyebrows with warm water the next morning to remove any excess oil before gently drying them with a clean towel.

Note : To enjoy the benefits of castor oil on your eyebrows, you can also turn to our eyelash and eyebrow serum or eyebrow strengthening gel, formulated with castor oil and pea peptides.