Did your mom ever shove a gross spoonful of castor oil down your throat when you had tummy trouble? I know mine did. She even put a few drops on cotton in my ear when I had an earache coming. Yep, she was the queen of natural remedies. If you were once subjected to these not-so-fun fixes, castor oil may have a bad rep in your mind, but castor oil for beauty will be a game-changer!
Cold Pressed Castor Oil
What exactly is castor oil?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from ricinus communis aka castor beans. It has ricinoleic acid which is a monounsaturated fatty acid that has great anti-inflammatory properties. It works as humectants and can moisturize your skin. It’s also anti-microbial, so it can create a protective layer on your skin from bacteria too! There’s a reason why it’s found in so many beauty and hair care products!
Take note, when purchasing castor oil, make sure you get the cold-pressed kind; the extra processed option aren’t as pure and effective. Remember to test it on a small section of your skin to avoid allergic reactions.
Benefits of Castor Oil for Beauty
Moisturizes the Skin
Since castor oil has triglycerides, it keeps moisture in the skin and can combat dry skin. It is a natural humectant too. So it attracts water molecules from the air and further retains moisture. If that wasn’t enough, it is rich in vitamin E too, which has it’s own moisturizing and healing benefits!
Science-y much?
Known to Reduce Acne and Scarring
With the oil’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it’s a great way to combat acne. It also reduces breakouts by cleansing the skin and it nourishes the skin to help with healing scars.
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Increases Hair Growth
I remember reading a while back that adding castor oil to your hair mask can improve the thickness and will help it grow faster. You can count me in, and it definitely helped my hair grow! I like adding it to my weekly hair mask of rice bran oil, tea tree oil and lemon. Leave it in for an hour and wash it out! Say hello to thick and shiny hair!
Longer Lashes and Thicker Browns
Instead of dishing out major bucks to buy a lash and eyebrow serum, try this inexpensive DIY option first! Line your eyelids with castor oil for longer lashes and do the same for thicker brows. Use a thin paintbrush for your lids and a mascara spool for your brows. Be careful not to get it in your eyes though! This set even comes with the attachments!
Dandruff Solution
If you suffer from a flaky and itchy scalp, try adding this oil to your hair washing routine. Since it can reduce inflammation, it may be an effective treatment for dandruff. Castor oil is also very hydrating, so it’ll soothe the scalp and reduce flaking.
