Castor oil skin care. Naturally and cost-effective

Natural methods of skin care are currently in their glory again. Undoubtedly, castor oil serves numerous very interesting beauty purposes, owning to which, it turns out to be one of the best hair, body and nail cosmetics. How does castor oil really work? Is it worth applying it?

Indeed, this is one of the cheapest natural oils that can be bought… at a pharmacy’s. It costs less than a cup of coffee in your local cafeteria and offers you endless possibilities in skin and hair care in its broad sense. However, before you learn the action that castor oil can deliver, get to know this substance better.

Castor oil. What haven’t you known about it yet?

This substance is pressed from the seeds of Ricinus, however, this process is completely different when compared to typical plant oil extraction techniques. Namely, Ricinus contains a highly toxic substance – ricin, that has to be removed with water due to boiling the extracted oil. Thanks to this, nowadays, you can buy safe castor oil at a pharmacy’s.

Today, castor oil is mostly associated with natural remedy for the digestive system ailments. However, the purgative features aren’t the only qualities that castor oil displays. It’s worth taking a closer look at the cosmetic applications this natural substance possess. Perhaps, castor oil will turn out to be your new favourite alternative to regular cosmetics!

The profile of castor oil

It’s either light yellow or completely translucent, very dense oil. Usually, it’s packed into a dark-glassed bottle, which has its justification. Namely, castor oil, alike many other oils, can lose its features due to the sun. Therefore it has to be stored in dark packaging.

Castor oil in hair & body care

The most important question is: What is castor oil considered beneficial to?

The first publication where we can find a remark concerning castor oil is Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health by D.C. Jarvis from 1958. This British doctor stated that at the countryside and villages people used to apply castor oil to remove warts, discolorations and skin lesions. Also, the oil was used for massaging fatigued feet. Last but not least, castor oil was used by young mothers to treat their babies’ belly button.

Currently we know that this natural substance can do definitely more than that. Why is castor oil applied nowadays? It’s applied to scalp in order to prevent dandruff and slow down excessive hair loss. It’s applied to fingernails to make them stronger and gift them with shine. It’s applied to skin to counteract acne and keep it in a good condition. It’s applied to eyebrows and eyelashes to make them thicker, longer and darker. There’re many possibilities.

Castor oil. Skin care

The hugest part of castor oil’s features are used for daily body care. This natural substance offers anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action as well as it moisturises well therefore it’s widely used for soaps, massage oils, creams and shampoos.

How does castor oil affect skin? This is remedy for:

• acne – all you have to do is wash the face with warm water or do a simple steam facial (it’s about opening skin pores) and then massage castor oil into face applying circular motions. You can leave castor oil remaining on your face for the entire night so ricin oleic acid the oil contains has possibility to combat the bacteria responsible for acne development;
• wrinkles – few know that castor oil works anti-age. By penetrating skin layers it stimulates collagen and elasticin production so, in other words, it delays fine lines appearance and rejuvenate skin; for that reason, it’s beneficial to add castor oil to homemade face masks and creams;
• scars and discolorations – before you start applying castor oil to skin, it’s better to thin it down with some delicate oil, for example, raspberry, almond or macadamia oil. This mixture has to be applied to the problematic skin area and left until absorbed. Fatty acids the oils contain penetrate deep into skin and affect scar tissue by moisturising, softening and stimulating regenerating processes;
• impurities – it’s worth realising that castor oil is recommended for make-up removal. Just apply a few drops of castor oil to damp cotton pad to wipe your face with it. You can do it even after application of micellar lotion because it may turn out that despite being cleansed your complexion might still feature some impurities to remove;
• stretch marks – regular (daily) application of castor oil to stretch marks – regardless if they appeared due to pregnancy or sudden body mass gain – makes skin more elastic and encourage their faster disappearance. However, it’s worth being careful because castor oil can be also used for inducing labour;
• minor wounds – natural castor oil offers antiseptic features and reduces inflammation therefore it can be freely used as a disinfecting agent to cleanse wounds or skin cuts. It soothes itchiness and relieves pain;
• skin infection – castor oil appears to be a perfect substance to treat skin problems such as warts, impetigo and other fungal infections. It can be applied either topically or spread along the entire face and body after, for example, taking a bath so as to facilitate oil absorption.