Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans. It is a multi-purpose oil that has been used for thousands of years. It grows abundantly in India, South America, and Africa. Castor oil comprised mainly of healthy fatty acids called Ricinoleic Acid. It is an unsaturated omega-9 acid and hydroxy acid that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized as safe and effective.

It is inexpensive oil and considered to be safe for the skin and body except when it causes some allergy to a few people. That is why before using castor oil, do some patch test to make sure you do not have any allergy. The type of fats in the oil act as humectants, meaning they retain moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin. It is used to promote hydration and is often added to products like lotions, make-up, and cleansers, but it can be used directly on the skin, as natural oil, instead of buying moisturizers and lotions.

Castor oil has many uses. One of which is it possesses properties that make it beneficial for skin and hair care. It is said to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, moisturizing, and other useful benefits to the skin like some of the following:

• Minimize and reduce wrinkles

After a thorough cleansing, drop castor oil on the tip of your finger then apply it under your chin and neck area, the skin of your forehead, around your mouth, and the skin under your eyes. Castor oil contains antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body. These free radicals are responsible for hastening the aging process that makes wrinkles appear sooner. The oil is said to smooth and help plump the skin thereby reducing or minimizing your wrinkles and worry lines.

• Fight acne

The oil contains Ricinoleic acid, which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that fight bacteria in the skin responsible for clogging the skin which can result in acne.

• Remedy for dry skin

Castor oil contains triglycerides, which are a type of fats that helps to maintain the moisture in the skin, keeping it supple and hydrated.  The fatty acids can also help in keeping the skin tissues healthy making it smooth and soft.

• For dry lips

Castor oil is a common ingredient in lipstick and lip gloss products. Just apply the castor oil on your lips or mix it with other oils like coconut oil based on your preference.

• Nourishing dry scalp

With its antibacterial and antifungal properties, the oil is massaged onto the scalp to moisturize and help remove dead cells. It is also beneficial against dandruff and other scalp infections. The Ricinoleic acid content helps improve circulation to the scalp, which creates a healthy environment for better hair growth. The antioxidants in the oil also aid the keratin in the hair to make it smoother, stronger, and not so frizzy. Castor oil remains as a favored natural treatment for common skin conditions and other ailments. It is also commonly used in natural beauty products. The benefits derived from it are a direct proof of its efficacy and it’s no wonder people have used it for centuries, and continue to use it.