Castor Oil for Eyelashes and Eyebrows: Does It Really Work?

ByToday Mag Editorial Team

There is no good clinical evidence that castor oil makes eyelashes or eyebrows grow longer or thicker. The oil can coat hairs and may make them look shinier or feel conditioned, but that cosmetic effect is not the same as stimulating new growth. And because the eye area is delicate, using an ordinary, nonsterile oil as a DIY lash serum is not risk-free.

If your goal is fuller-looking lashes or brows, the useful first step is to separate appearance from actual growth. Here is what research says about castor oil, which everyday habits protect fragile hairs, and when medical treatment may be appropriate.

Does castor oil really grow eyelashes?

Not based on the evidence currently available. A review of cosmetics and the ocular surface published by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) notes that castor oil is used as an eyelash conditioner, but that research has not shown topical castor oil improves eyelash hair or follicles. Anecdotes, impressive photos, and online testimonials are not proof of new lash growth.

Castor oil is thick and can leave a temporary sheen on the lashes, so they might look more noticeable after application. That is not a measured increase in length, density, or growth rate. The same distinction applies to claims about castor oil for eyebrows.

Adding coconut oil, vitamin E oil, or another ingredient to make a “two-ingredient lash serum” does not establish that the mixture stimulates hair follicles. There is no reason to promise fuller lashes in three days, a week, or any other guaranteed interval.

Is castor oil safe to put on your eyelashes?

Do not put ordinary castor oil into your eyes or use it as homemade eye drops. Most household or cosmetic oils are not sterile ophthalmic products. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises against placing nonsterile substances in the eye, and warns that castor oil used directly in the eye can cause irritation and potentially serious harm.

The skin around the eyelids can also react to products. Irritation, allergy, or oily residue near the lash margin may be especially troublesome if you already have dry eyes, blepharitis, or another eye condition.

If you are considering an oil-based cosmetic around the eye area

  • Use only products specifically formulated and labeled for use around the eyes. A general-purpose bottle of castor oil is not interchangeable with a tested eye cosmetic or sterile eye treatment.
  • Keep products out of the eye. Do not pour, drip, or massage oil into the eye or inner eyelid. Avoid homemade mixtures at the base of the eyelashes.
  • Keep hands and applicators clean. Do not share mascara wands, add water or saliva to products, or reuse an old unclean container.
  • Do not use eye cosmetics during an eye infection or while the eyelids are inflamed. The same caution applies if you have irritation following lash extensions; let the area recover and seek professional advice if needed.
  • Stop if you notice redness, itching, swelling, burning, or discomfort. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist. Eye pain, a very red eye, or a change in vision needs prompt assessment.
  • If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye professional’s advice and remove them before taking off eye makeup; do not use unapproved oils as lens-care or eye products.

A patch test on the skin away from the eye may reveal some skin reactions, but it cannot prove that a product is safe to put in or near an eye. The FDA’s eye cosmetic safety guidance emphasizes clean applicators, avoiding infection, and stopping products that cause irritation.

What actually has evidence for growing eyelashes?

For people with inadequate eyelash growth (called eyelash hypotrichosis), there is an FDA-approved prescription treatment in the United States: bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, marketed as LATISSE. It can increase eyelash length, thickness, and darkness when used as directed by a clinician. It is not a do-it-yourself alternative to castor oil, and it is not an approved eyebrow-growth treatment under that indication.

Bimatoprost can cause itchy or red eyes, eyelid irritation, and darker skin around the lids. A change toward brown iris pigmentation is possible and may be permanent. People who use medicines to lower eye pressure or have certain eye conditions need medical guidance about additional risks and monitoring. The effects on lashes generally diminish after treatment is stopped.

Ask a qualified healthcare professional whether prescription treatment is appropriate; do not apply someone else’s medicine or follow online dosing instructions. Read the official U.S. prescribing information for LATISSE for indications, precautions, and side effects.

Can castor oil grow thicker eyebrows?

There is no convincing clinical evidence that applying castor oil to eyebrows makes new hairs grow or reverses loss caused by a medical condition. It may temporarily smooth the surface of existing hair and make brows appear glossier.

If your brows became thin after repeated tweezing or waxing, stop removing more hair and give them time. Regrowth, when possible, takes months rather than days, and some follicles may not recover after long-term damage. The Cleveland Clinic notes that eyebrow recovery varies depending on how the hair was removed and whether follicles remain healthy.

Not all thinning comes from grooming. Skin inflammation, thyroid disorders, alopecia areata, medications, and other conditions can also cause missing eyebrow hairs. A topical oil will not treat those underlying causes.

How to make lashes and brows look fuller without promising growth

Small styling and care habits can improve the appearance of existing hairs and reduce unnecessary pulling. These steps are about protecting what you have, not forcing follicles to grow faster.

  • Remove eye makeup gently. Use a product made for the eye area and avoid rubbing or tugging at the lashes.
  • Replace old mascara and keep tools clean. Discard products that have dried out or become contaminated, and never share eye makeup.
  • Be cautious with extensions and lash curlers. Pulling, adhesives, and repeated mechanical stress can damage hairs or irritate the eyelid. Avoid tugging at extensions to remove them.
  • Take a break from over-plucking brows. Let your natural brow shape recover before reshaping it.
  • Try a brow pencil, powder, or tinted gel to make sparse areas less noticeable. Choose products labeled for the specific area and stop if irritation occurs.
  • Consider cosmetic procedures carefully. Professional eyebrow tinting and microblading may change appearance, but they do not regrow hair. Procedures carry allergy, irritation, infection, or scarring risks; eyebrow tattooing is difficult to reverse.

Do not use ordinary hair dye on your eyelashes or eyebrows, and do not try DIY lash or brow tinting with products that are not approved for that use. The FDA has specific warnings about coloring products near the eyes.

Why might eyelashes or eyebrows be falling out?

If hairs seem to be disappearing rather than simply looking short, the cause matters more than which serum you choose. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and Cleveland Clinic describe several possible explanations:

What you notice Possible explanation Next step
Itchy, red, crusty eyelids or flakes at lash roots Blepharitis or another eyelid condition Pause eye cosmetics; consult an eye-care professional if symptoms persist.
Lashes break after extensions, curling, or vigorous makeup removal Mechanical damage or irritation Stop pulling or irritating the area; assess if loss continues.
Sudden patches of missing lashes or brows, sometimes with scalp hair loss Alopecia areata or another hair-loss condition Arrange an assessment with a dermatologist or doctor.
Thinning outer eyebrows along with other symptoms Thyroid disease is one possibility, among others Ask a clinician whether medical evaluation is needed.

These are clues, not a diagnosis. Eyelid inflammation can require specific treatment, and some forms of hair loss can progress without it. An ophthalmologist can evaluate inflamed eyelids or eye symptoms; a dermatologist can help evaluate unusual hair loss. Seek urgent care for eye pain, sudden vision changes, or severe eye redness.

For more information, see the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s explanation of eyelash loss and Cleveland Clinic’s guide to eyebrow and eyelash hair loss.

Frequently asked questions

How long does castor oil take to grow eyelashes?

There is no evidence-based timeline because castor oil has not been shown in clinical research to make eyelashes grow. A glossy coating may change how lashes look immediately, but that is not new hair growth.

Can I mix castor oil and coconut oil for eyelash growth?

A two-oil mixture is not a proven lash-growth treatment. Putting homemade, nonsterile blends near the lash line also introduces avoidable eye irritation and contamination risks. Do not use these mixtures as eye drops or a DIY lash-line treatment.

Is castor oil better for eyebrows than eyelashes?

Neither use has convincing evidence for stimulating new growth. Products used on the brow hair away from the eye are not the same exposure as putting oil on the eyelid margin, where contact with the eye is much easier.

What if my eyelashes are falling out in patches?

Arrange a medical evaluation rather than trying a serum. Sudden or patchy eyelash loss, crusting, redness, or loss of eyebrow or scalp hair can signal an underlying condition that needs specific care.

This article is general information about cosmetic claims and eye safety, not a personal diagnosis or recommendation to use prescription treatment. Product availability and approved indications may differ by country.

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