Dame Helen Mirren says castor oil is her unexpected beauty go-to — who knew? (Getty Images)(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
If you’re in the market for an affordable, multitasking beauty product, you’re in luck. Much-maligned castor oil is a surprising celebrity-loved skin-care staple that's used to promote eyebrow, lash and hair growth, moisturize skin, and help reduce the appearance of blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles. Helen Mirren shared on Instagram that she uses it "not for its laxative properties, but for hair, skin, nails." The queen has spoken, and we've found a No. 1 bestselling option – Handcraft Blends Organic Castor Oil – for $10.
"I've tried a lot of eye creams," says Yahoo Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini. "And, for my money, CeraVe makes the best drugstore depuffing/under-eye brightening treatment currently on the market. Not only does it feel good on your skin (absorbs quickly, no gross pilling), it's also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Olivia Wilde also loves it, along with thousands of reviewers, who say it's like Botox in a cream. I'm not sure about that claim, but I do know this is a quality skin care staple at a price everyone can afford."
Speaking of which, this is close to as low as I've seen it all year (it's 40% off!).
At this price, it's smart to stock up on a few bottles.
"It's the only thing I believe, just in my personal opinion, that actually puts a dent in removing your stretch marks," Halle Berry told her Instagram followers. "I've been using it for, I don't know, 15 years now. I got through both of my children; this oil helped. I got through stretch marks from my gymnastics days as a kid; this oil helped."
There are a ton of different castor oils on the market, but this bestselling bottle can be yours for just $10 – that's over 50% off and the lowest price we've ever seen for it. Compared with this top-rated, 2-ounce option from Kate Blanc Cosmetics, which costs the same amount, it's an absolute steal — you're getting 8 ounces with this one.
There's a lot to love here, including all-natural, USDA organic ingredients and the fact that it's not tested on animals. Speaking of application, you can use this castor oil to moisturize dry skin — it'll leave your skin glowing and hydrated. According to the brand, it's also a versatile hair treatment that can be applied to your lash line and eyebrows to help stimulate growth, as well as over your scalp to nourish your hair follicles. If you want to avoid looking greasy, use just a touch of the oil – a little goes a long way!
Mirren isn't the only one using castor oil to improve her hair and skin. Plenty of Amazon shoppers say Handcraft Blends Organic Castor Oil is an unexpected beauty boon – and nearly 15,000 of them have given it five stars.
"I have dry skin and have spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, over the past 40+ years on trying to find something to stop my skin from flaking. THIS DOES! The texture takes a bit of getting used to, but the results cannot be questioned," wrote one satisfied shopper.
Another five-star reviewer commented on the eyelash and eyebrow benefits: "For those looking to enhance their eyelashes and eyebrows, this castor oil works wonders. Its natural conditioning properties nourish and moisturize delicate hairs, promoting growth and thickness over time. I've noticed a significant improvement in both length and volume, giving my lashes and brows a fuller, more defined appearance."
A final fan called it a "game changer" and exclaimed, "I love this oil. It is so rich and thick and when I tell you It lasts on your skin, it really does. You can get in a shower and do your business and get out and still feel moisturized from when you put it on the morning of..."
If you haven't used castor oil before, you may be surprised it has a nutty smell and a slightly thick consistency. One reviewer shared, "It’s a great product and after I ran out of my lavender one from Target, I decided to look on Amazon for a better value. This is a better value but I don’t like the smell as much so I added some lavender essential oils and think it’s great now. Great big bottle for the price."
Another shopper remarked, "Since it’s pure oil, get ready for the strong scent. I dropped a star because the viscosity/consistency is way too thick to be used as a body oil or even for hair. It’s just really hard to lather on."
However, the scent and consistency weren't dealbreakers for most: "I like that the product leaves my hair very soft, I didn't like that it was super thick for my taste."
Another celeb fave? Bio-Oil, a go-to for both Kate Middleton and Halle Berry that's down to only $10 right now.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
