Castor oil: Know its benefits for face and skin

Be it fighting acne, moisturising the skin or keeping it wrinkle-free, castor oil has many skincare benefits. Castor seeds are cold pressed, and then heat is applied on to, to derive castor oil. Not only can it be applied on your skin, but it can be consumed as well for other digestive benefits.

While castor oil has many benefits, it is very important to understand the right way to apply it, and in the right quantity, if you want to use it for your skin. From castor oil packs to drinking castor oil, everything has a process that should be followed to get optimum results.

What is castor oil?

Castor oil is a thick vegetable oil which is extracted by pressing the seeds (bean) of the Ricinus Communis plant. “Castor oil contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, stearic acid, ricinoleic acid. It is rich in anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties,” explains cosmetologist and trichologist Dr Priti Mahire. It also has nutrients like vitamin E and Omega 6 and 9. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid.

Benefits of castor oil for skin

1. Castor oil may prevent wrinkles

Castor oil helps to replenish old cells and enhances cell longevity. It aids the production of collagen, and, therefore one of the biggest benefits of castor oil is that it prevents wrinkles. Castor oil contains antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals in the body. This study published in Food Science and Technology, states that castor oil has antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties that fight free radicals and slow down ageing.

2. Castor oil may fight acne

Castor oil has antibacterial properties. So, in this way, it helps in fighting acne and breakouts. It helps to eradicate bacteria from your face which can often clog your pores, resulting in acne. A study, published in Molecules, states that its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties also help reduce pimples on skin.

3. Castor oil may reduce puffiness

Since castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce swelling and puffiness. It could also decrease under eye bags. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids, that helps skin to retain its smoothness and softness, claims this study, published in Molecules.

4. Castor oil can moisturise the skin well

Castor oil has moisturising and anti-oxidant properties. It can also help in replenishing skin cells, owing to its ricinoleic acid content. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids that may help counteract dry skin since it is a plant oil. Plant oils are occlusive means they create a barrier that prevents water from evaporating from your skin, so gives best moisturising effect. In fact, it can help fight dry lips as well.

Also Read: 5 best cold-pressed castor oils for long and lustrous hair

5. Castor oil may soothe sunburn

Castor oil is known to be anti-inflammatory. Therefore, if you get a sunburn, applying castor oil will help you deal with the pain, and will also stop skin from peeling away.

6. It may promote overall skin health

Castor oil is good for skin health. According to a study published in Molecules, castor oil has fatty acids that help to smoothen skin. It helps promote healthy pores as well as skin tissue, while hydrating and cleansing the skin.

Castor oil for eyelashes

Using castor oil for your eyelashes is also a great idea. Since one of the biggest castor oil benefits is that it is conditioning, it can help enrich your eyelashes. It prevents them from dryness, and from becoming brittle. In fact, organic castor oil is a great variety of castor oil for eyelashes.

How to use castor oil for skin?

Here is how to apply castor oil to your face.

• Wash your face with warm water
• Take a few drops of castor oil on your palms and spread it around your palms evenly.
• Slowly and gently rub it on your face in circular motion.
• Leave it on overnight.
• Wash your face with cold water the next morning.

Since castor oil is thick, it can be mixed with other oils such as coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil before application. For easier application, castor oil can be put in a dropper bottle. Lip balms and chapsticks containing castor oil are also great and easy options. Alternatively, castor oil packs can also be used. Jamaican castor oil is a great option for chapped lips as well as other skin repair.

Also Read: Castor oil is the best oil for dry eyes, says my mom

How to use castor oil for undereyes

If you are looking reduce wrinkles or puffiness near your eyes, castor oil application will be useful. Here’s how to do it:

• Clean the area around your eyes and make sure the area is dry.
• Take a drop of castor oil on your finger, and apply it under your eyes, or on an area that is prone to wrinkles. Be careful to not get it in your eye.
• Leave the castor oil on for 20 minutes.
• Wash the area gently and apply a moisturiser or a cover cream

Side effects of castor oil on face

While castor oil comes with a host of benefits, there are some side effects that can be experienced when applied topically on the body. Some people may experience the following:

• Skin irritation
• Breakouts
• Redness and swelling
• Allergic reactions

It is a must that you do a patch test before using castor oil all over the face to avoid any side effects.

Castor oil pack benefits

Castor oil packs are an easy way to get castor oil in contact with your body. There are many benefits of castor oil packs. These are easy to use, and are less messy as well. These often come with adjustable bands, and can be reused to about 30 times. Ideally the flannel, that they are made of, and the oil must be renewed  after a period of two months. In one sitting, a castor oil pack can be used for 30-60 minutes.