Bullsh*t or not?

Let’s find out. We’re checking every claim, one by one.

To save you time, we’ve added screenshots of the most important study results.
You’ll find all sources at the bottom of this article.

Grandma swore by it. The internet loves it. But is Castor Oil actually a miracle growth potion? Here’s the deal:

✅ Ricinoleic Acid: Fights the specific inflammation linked to balding

✅ Inhibits PGD2: Blocks the "protein" that tells hair to stop growing

✅ The "Penetration Booster": Helps other active ingredients reach the follicle

Sounds good — but does it actually work?

What does Castor Oil really do for your hair?

It’s thick, sticky, and messy. But biologically, it is unique because it is 90% Ricinoleic Acid. This rare fatty acid does things other oils can't:

✔ Blocks the "Baldness Signal" (PGD2)
Research suggests that a protein called PGD2 (Prostaglandin D2) is elevated in balding scalps. Ricinoleic Acid helps neutralize this signal, preventing the follicle from shrinking.

✔ Instant Thickness (The "Gloss" Effect)
Castor Oil is highly viscous. It physically coats the hair shaft, smoothing down the cuticle and locking in moisture. This makes thin hair look and feel thicker instantly.

✔ Enhances Absorption
This is its secret weapon. Castor Oil modifies the skin barrier slightly, allowing other growth ingredients (like Caffeine or Peptides) to penetrate deeper than they could on their own.

What does the science say?

📌 The "Baldness Block" (Fong et al., 2015)

Scientists used computer modeling (in silico) to find natural compounds that could stop PGD2—the biological marker for male pattern baldness.

The Result: Ricinoleic Acid (the main component of Castor Oil) was identified as a top candidate for inhibiting the enzyme that creates PGD2.

📌 The Anti-Inflammatory Proof (Vieira et al., 2000)
Inflammation causes scalp fibrosis (scarring), which kills hair follicles. A study tested the topical application of Ricinoleic Acid.

The Finding: It showed significant anti-inflammatory properties, comparable to some pharmaceutical drugs. By calming the scalp, it prevents the "hardening" of tissue that leads to permanent hair loss.

How should you actually use it?

Slathering pure oil on your head? Bad idea.
Pure Castor Oil is extremely thick. It can clog pores and is a nightmare to wash out, leading to more breakage when you scrub.

What does work?

👉 As a Carrier/Mix:
Castor Oil works best when it's just a part of the formula. It helps carry the heavy hitters (like Saw Palmetto) into the skin.

👉 Focus on the Scalp, not the Hair:
To fight inflammation and PGD2, the oil needs to be on the skin, not just coating the dead hair strands.

Verdict: does Castor Oil work?

✅ Yes, but... not as a solo act. It won't regrow a hairline by itself like Minoxidil might.

Our take?
Castor Oil is the ultimate "Support Player." It improves the health of the scalp and helps other ingredients absorb, but it shouldn't be your only line of defense.

That is why KÁDESO Grow Serum uses Castor Oil intelligently. We use it to boost the absorption of our primary actives: Saw Palmetto (DHT blocker), Capilia Longa™ (Growth re-activator), and Caffeine (Energy). Castor Oil ensures these ingredients don't just sit on the surface, but actually get to the root where they belong.

➡️ Want to try it yourself? At least you’ll know you’re using something backed by real science.

Sources

• Fong et al. (2015) – In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents...
  Study identifying Ricinoleic Acid as a potential inhibitor of PGD2, a key factor in androgenetic alopecia.

• Vieira et al. (2000) – Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation
  Pharmacological study confirming the potent anti-inflammatory properties of Ricinoleic acid (the main active in Castor Oil).