Castor oil is obtained by cold pressing castor seeds, which come from the plant of the same name. This vegetable oil is colorless or has a pale yellow hue.
Castor oil is used in the cosmetics industry, in the pharmaceutical industry and in the manufacture of paints or plastics.
Originally from Africa and India, castor oil has gained worldwide popularity due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and other properties. It is used to treat some ailments, but also to beautify the skin, hair and nails.
In ancient times, the Egyptians, Chinese and Persians used this oil to light lamps, but also as a balm or ointment. Then, in the Middle Ages, castor oil reached the European continent, where it was used as a remedy for skin problems.
Inflammation of the skin – Whether it is sunburn, acne or dry skin, castor oil soothes skin inflammation. All you have to do is to apply it on the affected skin, then leave it on for an hour and rinse with warm water afterwards. The anti-inflammatory and healing properties of this oil will quickly solve the problem.
Acne – If you suffer from acne, you already know that oils can clog your pores and should be avoided. Well, this is not the case with castor oil, which is good for acne. Wash your face with warm water to stimulate pore opening, then massage your skin with it, using circular motions.
Leave the oil to act overnight, and in the morning rinse your face with cold water. It eliminates bacteria that promote pimples.
Dehydrated skin – If you want a natural moisturizer, effective and cheap for dry skin, use castor oil. Massage the areas with dehydrated skin using preheated oil between the palms. The fatty acids in it will easily penetrate the skin and rehydrate it, giving it a velvety appearance.
Prevents stretch marks – These occur as a result of pregnancy or rapid weight loss. Stretch marks can, however, be prevented, so if you are pregnant or planning to take a drastic weight loss regimen, use castor oil to give elasticity to the skin on your belly and to prevent stretch marks. In the last two months of pregnancy, if applied daily, the oil increases skin elasticity and stretch marks will not be a problem for you.
Hair regeneration – Castor oil stimulates the growth of hair ornaments, so if you want a thicker and longer hair, massage your scalp with it. It stimulates blood circulation, accelerating hair growth. At the same time, it moisturizes the hair and prevents them from breaking.
Scalp infections – Infections that occur on the scalp can cause dandruff, itching on the scalp or even hair loss. Castor oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, so it fights against microorganisms that cause infections.
Medicinal benefits of castor oil
Disinfect Wounds – it has antimicrobial properties, so it can be used successfully to heal superficial wounds, scratches or cuts. Being an effective anti-inflammatory, it also helps relieve pain.
It works as a laxative – Since medieval Greece, it is used as a laxative. The ricinoleic acid in this oil is the one that has purgative effects. Therefore, it is ideal for people suffering from constipation.
Reduces joint pain – used to massage joints reduces inflammation and the pain that comes with it.
What other benefits does castor oil have on the face and skin
On the face, it has many benefits:
Acne – The antibacterial and anti-microbial properties of castor oil make it a useful ally in the fight against acne. Ricinoleic acid can inhibit the growth of the bacteria that causes acne.
Facial skin texture – it is very rich in other fatty acids, in addition to castor acid. These fats can have pleasant effects when applied to the face, making the skin soft and velvety.
Face color – The fatty acids in castor oil can also encourage the development of healthy skin tissues, so it is a useful ally for people who have uneven skin tones.
Sensitive skin – it has other good properties, in the sense that there is a very low risk that it will block the pores of the skin and it also reduces the risk of developing blackheads, which makes it an ally that can be used on sensitive skin.
As for the skin on the rest of the body, and in its case this oil has rich properties:
It is a good anti-inflammatory – Both castor oil and ricinoleic acid have proven anti-inflammatory properties. This means that they are useful in treating skin irritations.
It is an antimicrobial agent – At the same time, this oil protects the skin against bacterial infections, keeping away microbes that can cause certain problems.
A moisturizing oil – contains triglycerides, and they can help maintain skin hydration. For this reason, a castor oil is a useful treatment for those with dry skin.
It has moisturizing properties – it also has moisturizing properties, which means that it can “attract” moisture from the air to the skin, keeping the skin hydrated.
Cleanses the skin well – Triglycerides found in castor oil are also useful in removing dirt from the skin.
How to use it
If you are wondering how to use a castor oil, you need to consider a few things. It may take some time for the skin to fully absorb it, but diluting it with a carrier oil will speed up absorption into the skin.
Therefore, it can be diluted with other oils, such as olive or peanut oil. The recommended ratio is 1: 1, which means, in fact, that the amount of castor oil you dilute should be the same as the amount of carrier oil you will mix it with.
Castor oil is one of the main ingredients in our natural shampoo bars. If you have problems with acne we totally recommend you our natural shampoo made with active charcoal and cocoa seed butter. If you have problems with dandruff you can try Snowy Shoulders, our natural shampoo for dandruff. It’s reach in castor oil, pine tar and shea butter. If you have oily hair you must definitely try Oily Strands Natural Shampoo with castor oil, eucalyptus oil and nettle powder.
