I Used Castor Oil Every Night — The Results Were Wild

Last updated on: January 27, 2026

If you’ve spent even five minutes on TikTok or Pinterest lately, you’ve probably seen someone raving about castor oil. Women are using it on their lashes, hair, skin, stomach, and pretty much everywhere else. And honestly? I never expected to jump on this trend. But curiosity got the best of me. I kept seeing “before and after” photos that seemed too good to be true. Fuller brows. Longer lashes. Glowy skin. Less bloating. Better sleep.

So one night I finally said, Okay, let me try this for myself. And what happened over the next few weeks was way different from what I expected — in the best way possible.

What Even Is Castor Oil (and Why Is It Suddenly Everywhere)?

Before I started, I did a little digging. Castor oil comes from castor plant seeds and has been used for hundreds of years for healing, moisturizing, and even hormone support. Today, it’s blowing up in wellness circles because women want simpler routines and natural options.

Castor oil is thick, sticky, and honestly not the cutest in texture — but it’s rich in something called ricinoleic acid. Don’t worry, that’s not a chemistry class term. It basically means it helps hydrate, soothe, calm inflammation, and support hair growth.

All I knew was: if this little bottle everyone was hyping could help even one thing on my body, I wanted to try it.

My Nightly Routine: Simple and Easy

I kept it super basic. No fancy tools, no expensive brands. Just cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil and a few little applicators.

Here’s what I did every night:

A tiny drop brushed onto my eyelashes
Another drop on my eyebrows
A small amount warmed between my hands and pressed onto dry areas of my skin
A light layer massaged into my scalp twice a week
Bonus: a little rubbed onto my lower stomach before bed

It took maybe 3 minutes. And I figured even if nothing happened, at least I was doing something gentle for myself every night.

Where I Started (a very honest before picture)

Like many women, I had a few things I wanted to improve:

My lashes were short and sparse
My brows were uneven and a little patchy
My hair looked dry, dull, and frizzy
My skin got flaky around my mouth and nose
And I constantly felt bloated, especially at night

Nothing serious — just the usual stuff that makes you feel “meh” when you look in the mirror.

Week 1: Softness… Everywhere

The first thing I noticed wasn’t hair growth (I wish!). It was softness. My lashes felt more moisturized, my skin drank up the oil, and even my scalp felt calmer.

But the biggest surprise? I slept better.
Something about taking those 3 minutes to care for myself at night made my brain slow down. I didn’t expect emotional benefits, but they were there.

Week 2: Real Changes Start Showing

Around day 10, I saw the first visible results.

My lashes weren’t longer yet, but they looked darker and healthier. My brows looked a little fuller at the inner corners. And the dry patches around my nose had softened so much that my makeup actually went on smoother.

Something else happened too: I felt less bloated at night.
I had read that massaging castor oil on your stomach can help digestion and reduce inflammation, but I didn’t think it would actually work. But it did — gently and naturally.

Week 3: The Unexpected Results

This was the week things got interesting.

My hair had more shine… real shine. The kind you notice when you walk past a mirror in daylight. The frizz that usually drives me insane calmed down a bit. My scalp didn’t itch like it usually did in winter.

My brows began filling in places that had been thin for years. And when I curled my lashes, they actually held the curl.

I also noticed my period cramps weren’t as intense. I’m not saying castor oil cured them, but the nightly abdominal massages definitely gave some relief. It wasn’t dramatic, but it was noticeable.

Week 4: The “Wow” Phase

By the end of the month, the results were honestly wild.

My lashes:

They finally looked longer — like a solid natural growth boost.

My brows:

Fuller, darker, and more shaped without even trying.

My skin:

My makeup sat better, my dry patches were gone, and I had a soft glow even on no-makeup days.

My hair:

Shinier, smoother, less frizzy, and easier to style.

My nails:

This one shocked me. They felt stronger and stopped peeling at the ends.

My stomach:

Less nighttime bloating, which made me feel lighter in the mornings.

It wasn’t a dramatic overnight transformation, but everything got just a little better — and all those “little betters” added up.

The Science Behind Why It Worked

After seeing the results, I looked into the why:

Castor oil is deeply moisturizing and supports the skin barrier.
It increases blood flow when massaged in, which helps hair follicles.
It has anti-inflammatory properties, which explains why my skin calmed down.
When used on the stomach, it supports lymphatic flow and digestion.

The changes were small at first, but consistency made them really noticeable by week four.

The Side Effects No One Warned Me About

Okay, honesty time:

It can clog pores if you use too much on your face
It’s sticky and can get on your pillowcase
If you have sensitive eyes, it may sting a little
Using too much on your scalp can make your hair greasy for days

So yes, there are things to watch out for. A little goes a long way.

How You Can Use Castor Oil (Without Making a Mess)

Here are the tips I wish someone gave me:

For lashes:

Use a tiny drop on a clean spoolie — not your fingers.

For brows:

Brush upward to shape them as they grow.

For skin:

Press it into dry areas. Don’t rub hard.

For hair:

Focus on your scalp, then use the leftovers on your ends.

For stomach/bloating:

Warm a pea-sized amount between your hands and massage clockwise.

And always patch test first. Your skin will tell you what it likes.

Should You Try It? My Honest Opinion

If you want longer lashes by tomorrow, this won’t do that.
If you want a simple nightly ritual that actually improves your hair, skin, and overall well-being — castor oil is worth every penny.

You’ll love it if:

You enjoy natural remedies
You want fuller brows or softer lashes
Your skin gets dry easily
You like small routines that calm your mind
You want an affordable self-care option

You might not love it if:

You hate sticky textures
You want fast, dramatic results
You don’t like oil-based products

For me, it became a tiny nightly act of kindness toward myself — and the results were honestly wild in a gentle, steady way.

Final Thoughts: Tiny Ritual, Big Rewards

Using castor oil every night wasn’t just about beauty. It became a peaceful moment that belonged only to me. It made my lashes, brows, skin, and hair look better, yes — but it also made me feel better.

Sometimes the most powerful changes come from the simplest habits. And this one turned out to be one of the easiest, cheapest, and most surprising beauty rituals I’ve ever tried.

If you’re curious… try it. Your results might be even wilder than mine.