As women, we’re constantly being overwhelmed by excess information when it comes to beauty and skin care. Whether it’s the latest anti-aging creams, or the newest makeup trends, there’s constantly an information overload.
This information load can be too much, so much that we forget the nitty gritty basics. While the basics may not be glamorous, it shouldn’t be forgotten that they exist for a reason. When it comes to beauty staples, we can’t forget about castor oil. Castor oil uses are almost endless, and it’s simple and affordable.
What Is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is an oil rich in monounsaturated fats – specifically, one by the name of ricinoleic acid – that’s the good kind of fat. It’s made by crushing seeds from the castor plant. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties – that’s why castor oil benefits for your hair, skin, and health are practically endless.
Here are 12 castor oil benefits.
Skin Benefits:
Fights Signs Of Aging:
If you’re looking to reduce your wrinkles, look no further. Castor oil treatments are great for your complexion, and here’s why. Castor oil contains powerful antioxidant properties that have incredible effects on your skin, so when you use it for a massage, it gets even better.
Doing a simple castor oil massage on your face at home will stimulate blood circulation. This increases the flow of oxygen and maximizes the absorption of nutrients so your skin becomes healthier. Do this regularly and your wrinkles and fine lines will be gone in no time.
Fades Blemishes:
Cold pressed castor oil is known for reducing pigmentation. Packed with powerful fatty acids like omega-3’s, these fatty acids penetrate the scar tissue that causes pigmentation and slowly dissolves the impurities to give you lighter, brighter skin.
If you’re wondering how long it takes castor oil to work, results vary from person to person depending on skin type, and the extent of the blemish. Users usually see results within 2 weeks. We advise you to stick to a routine and continue it even after 2 weeks to maintain your results.
Reduces Pigmentation:
Castor oil is known for its anti-pigmentation properties. It nourishes your skin while reducing pigmentation by inhibiting excess melanin production.
If you’re wondering how to make a castor oil pack, it’s quick and simple. Just dab some medical-safe gauze in castor oil, and place it on the affected area. Wrap the gauze tightly with saran wrap, and leave it on overnight. Do this regularly until you’re satisfied with your results.
Moisturizes Skin:
Using castor oil for extremely dry skin is one of the best decisions you can make. Its 18-carbon, monounsaturated structure allows it to hold a lot of moisture. Combined with its antioxidant properties, castor oil is the ideal multitasker: it moisturizes your skin while boosting your skin’s health to protect it from oxidizing agents.
Reduces Acne:
Castor oil has incredible antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Not only will it help prevent breakouts, but castor oil also removes the dead skin cells, bacterial, dirt, and impurities that clogs your pores to give you that perfect complexion. So don’t be afraid to use castor oil for your face- this oil is pimple and acne friendly!
Hair Benefits:
Promotes Hair Growth:
Not many people are aware of this, but castor oil has been an age old beauty secret for your hair. Unrefined and cold pressed castor oil is best for your hair.
Spritz water on your roots to dampen your roots. Apply a small amount of castor oil to your roots, and make sure to massage it in thoroughly. Leave it on for several hours or overnight, before rinsing off.
If you leave it on overnight, most of the oil will absorb into your hair and scalp. From there, a quick shampoo will remove the residue. If you don’t leave it on overnight, condition your hair before getting into the shower – this helps your shampoo remove the castor oil more effectively.
Treats Scalp Infections:
Remember the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties we mentioned earlier? Well, the benefits aren’t just limited to your skin. You can apply castor oil all over your scalp to treat a scalp infection.
Not only will it keep scalp infections at bay, it also protects your scalp from fungal infections as an effective humectant – this means it locks nutrients and moisture into your hair to keep your hair healthy. After all, prevention is the best method.
Prevents Premature Graying:
Apply castor oil to prevent your hair from losing more melanin – it nourishes your hair to keep your hair healthy and provides essential nourishment to boost melanin production.
If you’re wondering, “Where can I buy castor oil?” the answer is simple. Just run on down to your local grocery store. Try to pick out cold pressed and unrefined castor oil – these are the least processed forms of castor oil and contain the most of its natural nutrients.
Conditions Hair:
Castor oil is an effective natural hair conditioner. It’s rich in crucial nutrients like vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids – perfect for keeping your hair strong and healthy. As a humectant, it leaves a coating on your hair shaft that will lock in these nutrients and make your hair appear smoother and shinier.
Health Benefits:
Boosts Immunity:
You may not know this, but drinking castor oil has benefits for your immune system. By drinking it, you gain additional benefits due to oral absorption, which allows your body to make use of the castor oil in a different way.
This boosts your immune system function by boosting your lymphatic system. It increases the production of important cells like white blood cells and T-11 cells – these are cells that act like antibodies and serve as your body’s first line of defense in killing viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
Reduces Joint Pain/Arthritis:
The next time you experience joint pains or arthritis pains, just warm up some castor oil and apply it directly to the afflicted areas, using the oil wrap treatment we mentioned earlier.
Castor oil increases the body’s production of T-cells. This strengthens your body’s immune response, and helps you heal and recover from injuries faster, while defending from pathogens and toxins.
Treats Back Pain:
Similarly, castor oil packs can be used to treat back pain. A warm castor oil pack will increase circulation beneath your skin. An increase in blood circulation helps your body receive enough oxygen and nutrients from your blood, which is crucial to a fast recovery.
It also soothes and relaxes tight or injured muscles, while the castor oil absorbs into your skin to provide additional antioxidants and antiviral protection to keep your muscles healthy and strong.
Castor oil is an effective treatment to most skin, hair, and health ailments – that’s for sure. It packs a powerful punch, both topically and orally, making it an ideal go-to home remedy for a wide range of problems.
Make sure to conduct a basic allergy patch test before you go through all these uses. Dab a few drops of castor oil on your arm and leave it on overnight. If your skin develops any itchiness, rashes, or redness, you may be allergic and you should go see a doctor to be professionally tested.
