Castor Oil: Know Its Benefits for Face and Skin

Be it fighting acne, moisturizing the skin or keeping it free of wrinkles, castor oil has many skin care benefits. After the castor beans are cold pressed, heat is applied to obtain the castor oil. Apart from applying it on your skin, it can also be consumed for other digestive purposes.

Although mustard oil has many benefits, if you want to use it for your skin, it is important to understand how to use it in the right amount and in the right amount. From castor oil packs to drinking castor oil, everything has a process to get optimum results.

What is castor oil?

Castor oil is a thick vegetable oil extracted by pressing the seeds (bean) of the Ricinus communis plant. “Castor oil contains fatty acids like linoleic acid, stearic acid, ricinoleic acid. It is rich in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties,” explains cosmetologist and trichologist Dr. Preeti Mahire. It also contains 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 can prevent wrinkles

Castor oil helps replenish old cells and increases cell longevity. It helps in collagen production and hence one of the biggest benefits of castor oil is preventing wrinkles. Castor oil contains antioxidants which help in removing free radicals from the body. This study, published in Food Science and TechnologyCastor oil has antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties that fight free radicals and slow down aging.

2. Castor oil can fight acne

Castor oil has antibacterial properties. So, in this way, it helps fight acne and breakouts. It helps to eliminate bacteria from your face, which often clogs your pores, resulting in acne. A study published in MoleculesIts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are also said to help reduce acne on the skin.

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3. Castor oil can reduce bloating

Since castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps reduce swelling and bloating. It also reduces under eye bags. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids, which help the skin retain its softness and suppleness, a study published in Molecules,

4. Castor oil moisturizes the skin well

Castor oil has moisturizing and antioxidant properties. It also helps in replenishing skin cells due to its ricinoleic acid content. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids which help prevent dry skin as it is a plant oil. Plant oils are occlusive which means they create a barrier that prevents water from evaporating from your skin, thus giving the best moisturizing effect. In fact, it also helps fight dry lips.

Also Read: 5 Best Cold Pressed Castor Oils for Long and Shiny Hair

5. Castor oil relieves sunburn

Castor oil is known to be anti-inflammatory. Hence, if you get a sunburn, applying castor oil can help you deal with the pain and prevent the skin from peeling.

6. It promotes overall skin health

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

Castor oil for hair

Using castor oil on your hair is also a great idea. One of the biggest benefits of castor oil is its conditioning, which helps improve your hair. This prevents them from drying out and becoming brittle. In fact, organic castor oil is the best castor oil for hair.

How to use castor oil for skin?

Here’s how to apply mustard oil to your face.

• Wash your face with lukewarm water.
• Take few drops of castor oil on your palms and spread it evenly around your palms.
• Rub slowly and gently on your face in a circular motion.
• Keep it overnight.
• Next morning wash your face with cold water.

Since castor oil is thick, it can be mixed with other oils like coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil. For easy application, castor oil can be kept in a dropper bottle. Lip balms and chapsticks containing mustard oil are also great and easy options. Alternatively, castor oil packs can also be used. Jamaican castor oil is a great choice for chapped lips as well as other skin repairs.

Also Read: My Mom Says Castor Oil Is The Best Oil For Dry Eyes

How to use mustard oil under eyes

If you are looking to reduce wrinkles or puffiness around your eyes, using castor oil can be helpful. 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 the wrinkle area. Be careful not to get it in your eyes.
• Leave the castor oil on for 20 minutes.
• Gently wash the area and apply a moisturizer or cover cream.

Side Effects of Castor Oil on Face

Castor oil comes with many benefits, but there are some side effects when applied topically on the body. Some people may experience the following:

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

It is imperative 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 into your body. Castor oil packs have many benefits. They are easy to use and less cumbersome. These often come with adjustable bands and can be reused about 30 times. Ideally flannel, they are made and the oil should be renewed after a period of two months. In one sitting, castor oil pack can be used for 30-60 minutes.