Black Seed Oil and Castor Oil for Hair: How to Mix and Use Them Together

Black seed oil and castor oil are often mixed for hair because they do different jobs. Castor oil is thick and seals in moisture, while black seed oil is lighter, spreads easily and has a strong, warming scent that many people like for scalp massage. A good starting mix is 1 tablespoon castor oil + 1 teaspoon black seed oil + 2 tablespoons coconut or jojoba oil, massaged into the scalp two to three times a week and washed out within a day. Neither oil is proven to grow hair faster, but the mix makes a pleasant, moisturising scalp oil. In Lagos, you can buy both oils in one stop at Elo-Ruks Naturals, Articles Market, Abule Oshun.

Black seed oil vs castor oil for hair

• Texture: castor oil is very thick and sticky. Black seed oil is light and runny.
• Smell: castor oil smells mild. Black seed oil smells strong, peppery and herbal.
• Main compound: castor oil is about 90% ricinoleic acid. Black seed oil contains thymoquinone and other aromatic compounds.
• Best job: castor oil seals moisture, softens dry hair and protects ends and edges. Black seed oil is good for scalp massage, and it thins castor oil so the mix spreads further.
• Evidence for hair growth: castor oil has no clinical trials showing growth. Black seed oil has only a few small, early studies, not enough to promise results.
• Skin sensitivity: castor oil is usually well tolerated. Black seed oil can irritate some people, so patch test it.

Put simply, castor oil does the conditioning and black seed oil makes the mix easier to use. Together they make a better scalp oil than either one undiluted.

3 black seed oil and castor oil mixes

1. Everyday scalp oil

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 teaspoon black seed oil
• 2 tablespoons coconut, jojoba or sweet almond oil

Mix in a small clean dark bottle with a nozzle. Apply along your parts, massage for 3 to 5 minutes, and use two to three times a week. Wash out within a day or on wash day.

2. Edge oil

• 1 teaspoon castor oil
• 3 to 5 drops black seed oil

Use a drop at a time on your fingertips or a soft brush. Massage gently, no pulling. Give your edges a break from tight styles and gel. No oil can outwork constant tension.

3. Pre-wash treatment

• 2 tablespoons castor oil
• 1 teaspoon black seed oil
• 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil

Apply to the scalp and lengths the night before wash day, cover with a scarf or bonnet, then shampoo out the next day.

Tips for any mix

• Make small batches that you will use within a few weeks, and keep them in a dark bottle away from heat.
• Keep black seed oil at no more than about a third of the mix. It is strong and more likely to irritate at high amounts.
• Don't heat the oils hot. If you like a warm oil, stand the bottle in warm water for a few minutes. Don't microwave it.

Black seed oil and castor oil for the face

Be more careful with your face than with your scalp:

• Patch test both oils on your inner arm or jawline for 24 hours first.
• Use very little: one or two drops of a diluted mix, not straight black seed oil.
• Acne-prone skin: heavy oils can make breakouts worse for some people. Try a small area for a week before using it all over.
• Keep both oils away from your eyes.

For eczema, some people find that bland oils help dry patches, but black seed oil can itself cause allergic skin reactions. Don't put either oil on cracked, weeping or infected skin, and ask a doctor if eczema is spreading or not improving.

Where to buy both oils in Lagos

Elo-Ruks Naturals, Shop E2/379, Articles Market, Abule Oshun, Lagos stocks both xHerbs Black Seed Oil (200ml, cold-pressed, 100% Nigella sativa) and xHerbs Castor Oil (200ml, cold-pressed, hexane-free). That is everything for these mixes except your carrier oil, in one stop. The shop is by Trade Fair on the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. Directions are in our guides to buying black seed oil in Lagos and buying castor oil in Lagos.

Not near Abule Oshun? Order online: xHerbs Black Seed Oil 200ml and xHerbs Castor Oil 200ml.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mix black seed oil and castor oil together?

Yes. They blend easily. A good starting ratio is 3 parts castor oil to 1 part black seed oil, then diluted with a lighter carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba.

Which is better for hair, black seed oil or castor oil?

They do different jobs. Castor oil is better for sealing moisture and protecting ends and edges. Black seed oil is lighter and better as part of a scalp massage oil. Neither is proven to speed up growth.

How often should I use the mix?

Two to three times a week on the scalp is enough for most people. Wash your scalp at least every one to two weeks to stop build-up.

Can I use the mix under braids?

Yes. Put it in a nozzle bottle and apply a little to the scalp between braids. Avoid soaking the braids themselves.

Can I drink the mix?

No. The hair mix is for external use only. Black seed oil on its own can be taken as food in small amounts. See how to use black seed oil. Cosmetic castor oil should not be swallowed.

Bottom line: Castor oil seals and softens, and black seed oil lightens the mix and makes scalp massage easier. Start with 1 tablespoon castor oil, 1 teaspoon black seed oil and 2 tablespoons coconut or jojoba oil, used two to three times a week. In Lagos, buy both xHerbs oils at Elo-Ruks Naturals, Shop E2/379, Articles Market, Abule Oshun.