Have you ever thought about how much your skin and hair can heal while you’re asleep? One of my favorite little night-time rituals is using castor oil — that rich, golden oil pressed from the seeds of Ricinus communis. It’s simple, natural, and surprisingly potent when used before bed.
When you massage castor oil into your scalp before drifting off, you’re encouraging circulation and helping nourish the hair follicles. Over time, that can lead to hair that feels stronger, healthier, and maybe even a bit fuller. And on your skin, castor oil’s fatty acids and vitamin E sink in deeply overnight, making your skin feel soft, smooth, and well-hydrated by morning.
But that’s not all. After a long day, a gentle massage with castor oil across tense spots — like your shoulders or lower back — can feel soothing. Its anti-inflammatory properties help calm the tissues and invite a more relaxed rest. Some people even do a light circular massage on their belly to encourage a gentle sense of digestive ease before bed.
I also like to add a few drops to my lashes, brows, or cuticles before sleep. It’s a very gentle, nurturing way to support the smaller, more delicate areas of your skin and hair. And because castor oil is quite thick, I usually mix it with a lighter oil (like jojoba or sweet almond) so it’s easier to spread.
A few thoughts to keep things safe and loving: always choose cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil, and do a patch test on your inner arm before using it more widely. Start slowly — maybe just a few nights a week — and see how your skin responds. If you feel clogged, irritated, or uncomfortable, it’s okay to pause or dilute more.
At the end of the day, this isn’t a miracle cure — but it is a gentle, grounding act of self-care. It’s a little reminder that nature has its own wisdom, and that giving your body a few moments of kindness before sleep can make a real difference. 🌿