Castor oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil that has been used for thousands of years. It’s made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. In ancient Egypt, castor oil was used as a natural remedy for skin ailments and today it is very popular with natural beauty products. Castor oil is packed with nutritionally beneficial ingredients. With ricinoleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), omega-6, 9 additional fatty acids, vitamin E, and minerals castor oil is really healthy for hair and skin.
Benefits to Skin
The natural fats in castor oil act as humectants and can be used to moisturize the skin. Humectants retain moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin.
Castor oil promotes hydration so it’s no surprise that it’s often used in natural lotions, makeup, and cleansers. Castor oil also has been to know to reduce inflammation-related symptoms associated with acne. Castor oil has antimicrobial properties that may also help fight bacterial overgrowth when applied to the skin.
Castor oil is thick and it has a strong scent so it’s frequently mixed with other skin-friendly oils like almond, olive, and coconut oil to make an ultra-hydrating moisturizer.
A word of caution: Castor oil is generally considered safe for use on your skin but it can cause an allergic reaction to some so it’s important to test on the skin prior to consistent use. Choose a small area on your skin and/or scalp and apply castor oil. Wait about 12 hours and check to see if you have had any skin irritation, if not, proceed.
Benefits to Hair
Many people use castor oil as a natural hair conditioner. Dry or damaged hair can especially benefit from an it’s intense moisturizing properties.
Benefits of Castor Oil Include:
- Controls Hairfall
- Encourages Hair Growth
- Minimizes Dandruff
- Reduces Split Ends
- Thickens Hair
- Naturally Conditions Hair
- Darkens Hair
- Increases Shine
- Protects Hair from Damage
Organic/Cold Pressed Castor Oil
Extracted directly from the castor seed with no heat involved; a process called expeller pressing
The cold pressing ensures there is no degradation of any of the nutrients present in the seed
It is pale yellow in color
If you have curly hair and an itchy or dry scalp that is prone to irritation, unrefined castor oil would be your best option.
Castor oil is an amazing ingredient to treat hair loss and to boost hair growth but, its texture and strong smell might not appeal to some. In this case, you can combine castor oil with other beneficial oils to create a hair oil solution that is optimal for your need. An example is when you combine Organic Castor Oil with Organic Jojoba Oil you will help to get results faster. Jojoba oil is more alkaline and it helps to clarify and open cuticles so the Castor Oil can penetrate into hair faster. It will also modify the scent.