Ever since I’ve been a little girl, I’ve heard my grandmother and mother discuss the benefits of using castor oil. Extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, this viscous oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, which are ingredients that are great for the skin and hair. However, I was surprised to learn that none of my friends even considered using this oil in their beauty routines! Thus, I decided to compile a list of benefits that castor oil offers. Read on to see them all.
1. It Improves The Health Of Your Hair
Dealing with sparse brows, stubby lashes or hair fall? Start using castor oil immediately! The presence of ricinoleic acid boosts blood circulation, which helps fortify the strands and prevents breakage. In addition, this oil is rich in nutrients and conditions the hair to keep it soft, strong and shiny. It is also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature, which makes it ideal to use when you are troubled by an itchy or flaky scalp.
For your brows and lashes, it’s best to apply the oil with a mascara wand or a spoolie brush so that it gets evenly distributed. For your scalp, you can massage it on weekly as a pre-shampoo treatment or even leave it on overnight to get the most out of it. If you find the oil too heavy, you can also mix it in with another carrier oil such as jojoba oil or argan oil.
2. It Deeply Moisturises The Skin
Castor oil is a saviour for dry skin, inflamed cuticles, chapped lips and cracked heels. Not only does it penetrate the skin to provide it with nourishment, but also prevents any loss of water. The soothing properties also help calm down any irritation and redness.
Whilst you can use it directly on your skin, I prefer layering it over my regular body lotion to keep my skin supple. As always, you should patch test a little bit first to check for any adverse reactions.
3. It Lessens The Appearance Of Wrinkles
Apart from being a great emollient, castor oil also helps tackle signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. The ingredient sinks into the skin and amps up the production of collagen and elastin, which make the skin look plump and youthful.
Since the oil is mildly comedogenic, it’s best to spot treat the concerned areas if you are prone to acne or blackheads. Use your fingers or a cotton bud to apply it on your forehead, laugh lines and on the outer corners of your eyes.
If you are convinced about trying out castor oil, here are a few products that hero the ingredient:
Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil | Source: Briogeo
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Smoothing Oil-to-Foam Body Cleanser | Source: Kiehl’s
Avène Cold Cream Nourishing Lip Balm | Source: Avène
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