You’re probably familiar with castor oil for its benefits for your hair and body hair (eyelashes, eyebrows, beard, etc.), but did you know it’s a complete treatment for your nails? Whether they’re dull, brittle, soft, ridged, splitting, slow-growing, or suffering from fungal infections, castor oil will strengthen, treat, nourish, and beautify your nails and cuticles.
But what are its benefits for your nails and how can you use it easily? Discover the steps you can take to care for your nails every day and incorporate castor oil into your nail beauty routine.
Why use castor oil on your nails?
Your nails are constantly exposed to minor daily stresses, such as when you wash dishes or clean your house, when you smoke or bite your nails, or when you use chemical-based nail polishes or files and buffers inappropriately or too frequently. These actions can damage the keratin that makes up your nails and ensures their strength.
Your nails are then more likely to become brittle, split, crack, yellow, soft, brittle, or ridged. Their growth can also be slowed.
The properties of castor oil will help nourish, protect, moisturize, and treat your weakened nails and cuticles.
Of course, we recommend making sure that the cause of your brittle nails is not related to a vitamin or mineral deficiency, stress, fatigue, or a medical condition.
What are the benefits of castor oil for nails?
Castor oil has numerous healing properties for your nails:
- Nourishes nails and fights dehydration: Thanks to its richness in fatty acids and vitamin E, castor oil deeply nourishes brittle, fragile, or split nails and restores their shine. Its rich, dense texture penetrates deeply into the different layers of your nails and helps maintain long-term moisture thanks to the protective lipid film it creates. You can use castor oil optimally as a treatment or more occasionally between manicures to limit the harmful effects of manicures.
- Promotes nail growth: Used as a treatment, castor oil helps your nails regain healthy growth. When you apply it with gentle, circular massages at the base of your nail, in the matrix area, microcirculation is stimulated, facilitating nail growth. Castor oil also nourishes your cuticles, which play an important role in the growth and protection of your nails. By being nourished, strengthened, and protected, your nails grow in optimal conditions.
- Protects nails: Castor oil helps protect your nails from cracking and makes them less sensitive to daily wear and tear. The vitamin E it contains, a powerful natural antioxidant, protects your nails against free radicals and external aggressions. Castor oil also strengthens the cuticles, whose role is to protect the nail and act as a barrier to germs.
- Strengthens brittle, soft, and split nails: The restorative, protective, and strengthening properties of castor oil help make your nails stronger, more resilient, and more resistant to daily damage. After a treatment, you’ll notice that your nails will no longer split and will be harder.
- Cuticle care: Cuticles are the skin that surrounds the base and sides of the nail, forming a natural barrier and protecting it. They can be weakened by cold weather and chemical products, for example. Just as it nourishes and protects your nails, castor oil will also care for dry, damaged, or sore cuticles. Its emollient action softens them, leaving them nourished and protected.
How to use castor oil on your nails?
You can use castor oil on your nails in several ways.
First and foremost, we recommend keeping your nails clean by removing any nail polish or nail polish remover residue and thoroughly cleaning your hands, nails, and cuticles. Remember to dry them thoroughly before applying the castor oil treatment. If necessary, you can gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher, but we do not recommend cutting them; their role is important for the protection and health of your nails.
You can then choose the most appropriate use:
Nourish your nails daily
Soak a cotton swab in castor oil and apply it to each of your nails, covering their entire surface and your cuticles. We recommend massaging each nail and cuticle thoroughly using gentle circular motions to promote absorption. Don’t hesitate to focus on the base of the nail, at the matrix level, to promote blood circulation, which is essential for its health and growth.
Let the oil soak in for 10 to 15 minutes (give yourself a short break or plan an activity that won’t require the use of your hands), then wipe off any excess oil with a clean tissue or towel.
You can perform this treatment several times a week or even daily as a course of treatment for 2 weeks or longer if your nails need it.
During your treatment, we recommend avoiding manicures to let your nails breathe and fully benefit from the treatment’s benefits.
Cuticle-focused care
If your nails are healthy but your cuticles are dry, dehydrated, damaged, or painful, you can apply castor oil to the base of your nails using an applicator brush, a cotton swab, or a dropper and gently massage it all around your cuticles. Repeat this process regularly, even daily, until your cuticles are fully healthy again.
Preventive treatment or treatment for nail fungus
To combat infections and fungus (onychomycosis) on your nails, you can use castor oil:
- As a preventative measure: when you suspect the presence of bacteria or fungus, apply castor oil with a cotton swab to the entire surface and underside of your nails, as well as to your cuticles, and massage gently. Leave on for about fifteen minutes and wipe off any excess with a clean towel.
- Treatment: When you are infected with onychomycosis, apply castor oil at least twice a day to the affected area using a soaked cotton swab. Repeat this process until the fungus is completely gone. You can apply it again at night before going to bed to let the oil work on your nail overnight.
You can also create oil baths by pouring castor oil into a small bowl and adding 6 drops of tea tree essential oil, 3 drops of bay laurel essential oil, and 3 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix the mixture well and immerse your infected nails in it. Let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes and repeat this process once or twice a day until the fungus is completely gone.
If the infection persists, we recommend consulting a specialist.
More generally, we recommend applying your castor oil treatment in the evening to allow your nails to benefit from all their benefits overnight and avoid the minor daily stresses.
Steps to take to protect your nails
To take care of your nails on a daily basis, we recommend:
- Invest in a professional manicure kit to keep your nails trimmed regularly
- Wearing gloves when doing household chores and avoiding prolonged contact with water
- Moisturizing your hands, nails, and cuticles regularly
- Shortening your manicures if your nails are weakened
- Washing your hands regularly (including your nails) to prevent the growth of bacteria under your nails and cuticles
You can also strengthen your nails with dietary supplements if you wish.
Read also: A Quick Guide to Nail Drill Bits: Types, Tips, and Healthy Nails
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