Castor Oil – The miracle oil for skin
After my hairdresser disaster in March 2023, I was trying to find ways and methods to grow my hair back faster. During my research, I came across castor oil and firstly used it on my scalp and hair. I learnt that not only hair but also skin benefits from the oil’s good properties. Therefore, castor oil is widely used as an ingredient in the cosmetic industry for skin and hair care. It contains ricinolein acid, a potent fatty acid that can moisturize and protect the skin barrier. On top of that, castor oil is rich in vitamin E which also moisturizes and protects the skin, prevents wrinkles and fights acne.
Since I was a teenager, I suffered from acne. I was positive that growing out of acne, there would be a phase of beautiful clean and spotless skin before the appearance of the first wrinkles. I was wrong. While I was still suffering from hormonal acne, the first fine lines started to appear on my forehead and around my eyes while angrily inflamed pimples kept appearing, especially during those days of the month. Castor oil is a very dense and fatty oil. I was worried that it would clog my pores and worsen my acne. However, castor oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties therefore it can soothe acne outbreaks.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
Using castor oil on my hair and scalp, I never had any issues – e.g. an allergic reaction. I just used it on my face without thinking much. However, pure castor oil is super oily and sticky, and I soon realized that I needed to mix it with a carrier oil like I did for haircare. I mix one drop (!) of castor oil in my facial cream, the intensive cream for dry and sensitive skin by Salt House. Only this facial cream prevents my skin of heavy outbreaks. I do not wear a lot of makeup: I just use a bit of eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner, sometimes a bit of lipstick. Other than that, I keep my face bare of any products. When using the castor oil in my day care, the eyeshadow and the eyeliner would not stick. Since I do not use a specific night cream, I only add now the castor oil to my facial cream in the evening. The transformation started soon: The dark undereye circles I never had disappeared, wrinkles and fine lines vanished, pimple scars faded, and my skin cleared up. My face started to look fresher and my skin firmer and tighter. I still suffer of hormonal acne, but it got milder, and pimple disappear faster. Especially in the winter or after a long bath my skin is happy about so extra moisture that the castor oil adds to my facial care.
It is the dose that makes the poison
Also lips benefit from the good properties of castor oil. It has the effect of a very nurturing lip gloss. Especially in winter I have dry and scabby lips but since I use castor oil on them, my lips feel plump and nourished. My mother even accused me of having my lips filled. As if I would let a needle get close to my face…
Before applying my facial cream with a drop of castor oil, I use a thin layer of retinol, followed by thin layer of hyaluronic acid. Both retinol and hyaluronic acid are known to improve skin texture. I tried different combinations and succession of these different skin conditioning agents. Best for me worked first retinol, wait until absorbed, then hyaluronic acid, again wait until absorbed, then my facial cream with a drop (!) of castor oil but only in the evening.
Avidly, I brought my mom a small bottle of the miracle oil. She confirmed that castor oil has many good effects on the skin. However, she has some facial hair and stopped using it because it made her facial hair growing like crazy. I do not have any facial hair, but I noticed a positive effect on my lashes. They feel longer and thicker since I started using castor oil in my face. In contrast, it had zero effect on my brows. They are as thin as they always were. I used castor oil for one year on my hair and scalp and I never had the feeling that my hair would grow faster, however I noticed a couple of other positive effects.
In the winter I often suffer from damaged cuticles. Since I add a drop of my castor oil to my hand cream, my cuticles look nice again. I really need to test the effect of castor oil in foot cream. Castor oil should also soothe sunburns. But because I always use SPF, I never had the chance to test it on a sunburn.
You must be careful with the dosage: Less is more. As castor oil is very viscous and sticky, it can quickly become too much. Better use a little less and mix it with a carrier oil or in a cream. The positive properties of castor oil have convinced me: it hasn't made my hair grow faster, but it has made it fuller, and I have significantly less hair breakage and split ends. It makes my skin glow and reduces wrinkles and spots. Castor oil is now an integral part of my hair and skin care routine, and I couldn't live without it anymore!