The benefits of castor oil for the face
What are the benefits of castor oil for the face?
Castor oil is a botanical oil that is known to have benefits for the skin. At Absolution, it’s one of the key ingredients in some of our skincare and makeup products.
How should you apply castor oil on the face?
Castor oil has a very thick texture, so it can’t be applied pure on the face. There’s a real risk that it could clog skin pores and leave your complexion looking dull, gray and greasy. It’s preferable to use a skincare product that’s made with castor oil and other active ingredients, to ensure your skin can reap all the benefits of this oil without any greasiness.
If you do want to use castor oil to care for your face, you could try making an oil blend by mixing it with equal amounts of jojoba oil or hazelnut oil. Apply it preferably in the evening, so it’s well absorbed by your skin overnight. If your skin is prone to blemishes and breakouts, and you want to make sure that no surplus oil remains on your skin, remove any excess with a face cloth moistened with warm water after 5 to 10 minutes. The best option, however, is to use a well-balanced skincare product, rich in complementary active ingredients that are beneficial for the skin. Apply it in the evening, after your cleansing routine.
Using castor oil to help fight skin aging
Castor oil is renowned for its pro-aging properties. It’s rich in antioxidants, which fight free radicals produced by the body, thereby helping to delay the appearance of wrinkles. Free radicals play a major role in the aging process as they induce oxidative stress in cells, which leads to wrinkles. By applying cosmetic products containing castor oil to your face on a regular basis, you’ll help to protect your skin against the effects of free radicals and keep it supple and nourished.
Is castor oil good for the face?
Castor oil may be known for its pro-aging benefits, but this active ingredient also has other beneficial properties that make it excellent for the skin of your face:
- Antibacterial: Castor oil helps to remove bacteria from the face, which could otherwise cause acne.
- Anti-inflammatory: Castor oil reduces inflammation, redness and swelling of the skin. It’s often an important ingredient in after-sun products, as it soothes the skin after sun exposure. Its moisturizing properties help to reduce the risk of peeling or flaking due to sunburn. It’s also used to treat various skin conditions, and particularly dermatoses and psoriasis.
- Promotes hydration. In addition to its high content of antioxidants, castor oil helps to prevent dehydration, which also protects the skin against the effects of aging.
- Deeply absorbed: The ricinoleic acid in castor oil increases its absorption by the skin.
Our makeup with castor oil!
When should you apply castor oil to the face?
If you’d like to see how castor oil can benefit your skin, then why not try incorporating this natural plant oil into your beauty routine? If you wish, you can use castor oil as an intensive treatment, applying it every day for about one month to help really regenerate the skin of your face.
It’s best to apply castor oil in the evening, before going to bed. You usually only need a dab of oil to meet your skin’s moisture needs. Castor oil should be incorporated into a blend of other oils or into a beauty product such as a night cream. It should only be applied after removing all makeup and cleansing the skin.
In addition to knowing how often to apply castor oil to your face, it’s important to check the quality of the oil you use. There are a few things you can look out for to help you find a high-quality castor oil:
- Ingredients: There shouldn’t be any preservatives or fragrance, and the words “100% castor oil” should be visible on the packaging.
- Labels: Look for a castor oil that has been certified organic by Ecocert or a similar organic certification body, so you know that the castor oil has been produced organically without any chemical inputs.
The dangers of castor oil
It’s important to be aware of the potential side effects of castor oil before using it on your skin. These side effects can be mild or severe. Some people may have an allergic reaction when castor oil is applied to their skin. This reaction could take the form of a rash, swelling, or itching. If you experience such a reaction, stop using the castor oil immediately and consult your doctor, who can prescribe a treatment to resolve the issue if necessary.
When castor oil is ingested, it can cause mild side effects, which stop once the person has ceased taking castor oil orally. The most common side effects in this case are nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, a feeling of thirst, dizziness, diarrhea and insomnia.
Please note that it is possible to overdose on castor oil when taken internally. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, chest pain, severe diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, hallucinations, nausea, skin rashes, and shortness of breath. If you take castor oil orally and observe any of these symptoms, you should head to the emergency room or consult your doctor immediately.
