WHAT IS CASTOR OIL ?
Castor oil has been lauded as a phenomenal remedy for almost everything. This oil is truly versatile that has been used for thousands of years and is produced in large quantities with the raw materials acquired all year round. It contains high volume of Ricinoleic acid, triglycerides, fatty acids and is also rich in nutrients such as Vitamin E, minerals and protein. All these components are useful for a wide range of formulas including industrial, pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses.
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, also called castor bean by cold-pressing the seed, squeezing out the oil and then refining it to remove all its toxins and once done the oil is safe for use. The process to produce Castor oil is not so complex and production cost is lower therefore, this oil is sold at a very affordable price. Castor oil is normally a viscous liquid slightly thick with a shade of pale yellow which has a mild odour.
Though some manufacturers use heat, additives and chemicals to extract and produce the oil and such methods are faster and cost less, the quality of the products is then being compromised. With the various methods employed to extract this valuable oil comes the different types of Castor oil in the market.
Castor oil indeed comes with high global demand and today, this plantation can now be found in most countries including Malaysia. It is estimated that over 2 million tons of Castor seed is produced every year with the leading producing countries being India (with over 60% of the global yield) followed closely by China and Brazil.
WHAT IS COLD PRESSED CASTOR OIL
The production process of cold pressed Castor oil does not use excessive heat or chemicals to obtain the oil from the seeds. To preserve the oil’s natural healing properties and benefits is key here. By using simple pressure to crush castor oil seeds to release a robust oil with all of its essential fatty acids, minerals and nutrients intact. This process takes time, but the product is of the highest quality, it retains most of its natural and chemical properties and most importantly its original taste. A cold pressed castor oil is lighter and purer form and is of the highest quality and provides benefits that are more superior to the other forms of Castor oil.
In short, cold pressed Castor oil is a nutrient-dense, pure and refined that offers tons of benefits. It tends to retain its properties such as scent, flavour, and even nutritional value, this source of course is better than other methods.
As the method of extraction and manufacturing process has led to much awareness nowadays, cold-pressed Castor oil has gained much popularity. This highest quality Castor oil which is packed with vitamin E, Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, together with other minerals and nutrients is all you need for your beauty benefits.
BENEFITS OF CASTOR OIL
Castor Oil is widely used in a range of DIY applications including face oil, serum, soap and cream making, blending of lotions, shampoos, hair conditioners and more. This oil certainly has numerous benefits, however, in this article we will share about the beauty benefits for skin and hair since it is such an incredibly popular ingredient in many skincare and hair care products.
You can use Castor oil in many ways including direct application to the skin or blending it with other oils to be used as topical remedy. A word of advice is to combine with carrier oils before applying Castor oil to your face, skin or hair, such as jojoba, grape seed, olive, coconut, argan and almond oil. As Castor oil is thick and sticky in consistency, by diluting with other oil will be easier to apply. On its own, it will be too heavy.
Some people even swear by the Castor oil and use it for health reasons such as to reduce arthritic pain or backache. Castor oil if applied regularly on the affected area can offer anti-inflammatory properties and relieve joint pain, sore muscles, muscular pain and stiffness.
In a nutshell, Castor oil is naturally packed with Vitamin E, flavonoids, amino acids, minerals, proteins, Omega 6 and 9 and essential fatty acids, namely Ricinoleic acid, together with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, all these wholesome benefits are superb for the hair, skin and nails.
SKIN
Sensitive Skin
Castor oil is low comedogenic, therefore it is unlikely to form blackheads or clog pores. The additional Ricinoleic acid had demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties which are useful for treating irritated skin. It improves blood circulation, detoxifies the skin and is also great for reducing swelling, inflammation and redness.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of this oil make it useful in treating acne, including deep cystic acne as Ricinoleic acid can inhibit bacteria overgrowth when applied topically on the affected area. It protects skin from bacterial infections by keeping out microbes from being infected.
Cleansing
Castor makes a great makeup remover. The triglycerides found in Castor oil including the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are helpful in removing dirt from the skin and clear off bacteria which causes blemishes. It has amazing astringent properties and works well in drawing impurities that can cause potential acne breakouts off your skin.
Moisturizing
Castor oil contains triglycerides which help to maintain moisture in the skin, an excellent treatment for dry skin. It can also keep skin supple and hydrated by drawing moisture from the air into the skin. This oil penetrates deep into the skin and makes it smooth, rejuvenated and revitalized. It also promotes blood circulation, and stimulates production of collagen and elastin, which delays wrinkles and fine lines.
Uneven Skin Tone
The Vitamin E and high Omega 3 fatty acids stimulate healthy skin tissue, and balance up uneven skin tones. Castor oil penetrates deep inside the skin tissues and encourages the growth of new healthy tissues and helps to fade scars and blemishes over time and even out the skin tone, reduce pigmentation and melasma.
Stretch Marks And Cellulites
Castor oil helps in the elasticity of the skin and curbs stretch marks. The high fatty acid content of Castor oil can even prevent stretch marks if it is used topically on the abdomen during pregnancy.
Castor oil helps boost the functionality of the lymphatic system in the human body and further assists by transmitting nutrients, oxygen and hormones to our skin cells. Castor oil massage helps stimulate the lymphatic system and thus reduces cellulite over time.
HAIR
Promotes Hair Growth And Controls Hair Fall
Castor oil is popularly known as the most effective products for hair growth and curbing hair loss. Thanks to its Ricinoleic acid and omega-6 essential fatty acids present in the oil that helps to improve blood circulation to the scalp. Apart from giving you thicker hair, it also nourishes the scalp and protects existing hair follicles and prevents hair from shedding.
All the benefits for hair growth including protein and fatty acids, which nourish the hair follicles can also promote thicker and darker lashes, brows and even beards.
Scalp Care
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of the oil helps to eliminate scalp infection which resulted in scalp issues such as bald patches, dandruff and itchiness. Another added benefit is that Castor oil also shields hair from sun and pollution.
Hair Treatment
Castor oil is effective at conditioning and hydrating dry, damaged and frizzy hair because of its pH balanced. It can reduce breakages and split ends and improves the softness of the overall hair including eyelashes and eyebrows and beards.
HOW TO USE CASTOR OIL IN YOUR SKIN AND HAIR CARE ROUTINE
To incorporate castor oil into your beauty routine, you can use any product which features this ingredient in its formulation or you can use diluted or blended Castor oil in various ways.
SKIN
Cleansing
Castor oil cleans the skin by its deep penetrating properties and is good to remove make-up and dirt with a simple massaging and removal with a hot washcloth. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in the oil help to clear the skin of bacteria that can cause blemishes. A safe formulation would be :
💞 1 part castor oil + 1 part olive oil + 1 part grape seed oil
💞 Add oils to a squeeze bottle and swirl to combine
Direction :-
💞 Pour a small amount of oil mixture into your palm.
💞 Gently apply castor oil on your face and massage in circular motions, allow it to stay overnight and wash off in the morning. This clears the clogged pores and even heals acne.
Moisturizing Face Oil
The high amount of triglycerides in Castor oil helps to treat dry skin and at the same time retain skin moisture and keep skin well hydrated throughout the day. To use as face oil, Castor oil should be diluted in a one-to-one ratio with another carrier oil, such as sweet almond, grapeseed or jojoba oil. Apply it daily to both your face and body for softening, soothing and moisturizing.
As an additional booster you can blend Castor oil into your current beauty products to help further smooth and plump the skin. Moisturize your face, lips and skin around your eyes as well to reduce fine lines and give you a youthful glow.
Pigmentation
Combine Castor oil with vitamin E oil and apply it on the affected area. Leave it overnight. Regular usage will lighten pigmentation and blemishes and make your skin flawless and glow.
The richness of monosaturated fatty acids in Castor oil makes the skin smooth and softer when applied as facial oil. It can also stimulate the growth of healthy skin tissues and revamp the uneven skin tone thus enhancing the skin texture and complexion.
Minor Burns Or Sunburn
Combine a few drops of Castor oil with aloe vera and Vitamin E and apply to the affected area for soothing and healing purpose.
Scars
For scars, you can dab a few drops of Castor oil on your face directly. Use it twice daily to see noticeable results. If you have acne-prone skin, avoid using it directly.
Under Eye Cream
Every night, dab a few drops of Castor oil under your eyes to eliminate dark eye circles and wrinkles. The next morning, your skin below your eyes will look supple and luminous.
Lip Balm
Castor oil is always being used as an ingredient in many lip care products. To prevent lips from drying and chapping, just take a cotton pad and soak it into the Castor oil. Rub it gently on your lips. Some of the notable benefits of using Castor oil for lips are:
✔ Softens and soothes dry and chapped lips
✔ Smoothens lips’ discoloration
✔ Provides lustre and shine
Nail Treatment
The antifungal and antibacterial properties protect your nail bed against fungal infections. Together with its moisturizing benefits, it also helps to soften dry, thickened, ragged cuticles or any other nail disorders. Rub or massage a little oil into your cuticles every day and in no time you will have strong and shining nails, including your toenails too!
Massage
As an aromatherapy massage oil, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your Castor oil for an invigorating and uplifting health benefit to relieve joint pain and sore muscles.
HAIR
Hair Growth/Volumiser
There is no other oil other than Castor oil for hair growth and hair care as dermatologists have also recommended especially for those battling hair loss or scalp infections. The good news is Castor oil is an affordable hair treatment. Whatever it is, do keep in mind that hair growth doesn’t happen overnight regardless of what products or treatments that you have invested. But using Castor oil, twice a week for at least three months, you will ultimately see results.
Castor oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties making it effective against folliculitus, dandruff and scalp infections and its Ricinoleic acid content helps increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair growth. Studies have also proven that Castor oil promotes thicker, fuller stronger and more lustrous hair as this oil is also good at strengthening and moisturising the hair and bringing in a smooth, shiny and silky texture.
Just in case you might not know, Castor oil and coconut oil combination is one of the best remedies for hair growth. Apart from treating hair loss, this combination is excellent for conditioning and nourishing the scalp where there is thinning of hair.
As Castor oil is heavy in consistency, you may want to apply in small, incremental amounts to avoid over-application. Additionally, you can combine Castor oil with other oils, such as grape seed or jojoba, to reduce the viscosity and make it easier to apply and spread throughout your hair and also to make rinsing off easier.
Hair Treatment
Castor oil can be used as a leave-in or combined with other ingredients to make your own special hair and scalp treatment. Just simply mix several drops of Castor oil with your favourite conditioner and massage onto your hair, then comb through and leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. This will strengthen your strands and leave your hair feeling soft and smooth.
Ricinoleic acid and the antioxidants in Castor oil is said to help balance scalp pH and also support the hair keratin. This will further help to repair the damage of hair due to age or harsh chemical treatments. Therefore, hair treatment with Castor oil will definitely make hair stronger, smoother and also less frizzy.
To prevent and repair split ends, just apply a few drops of the oil directly to the ends of your hair to reduce the amount of breakage. It helps to restore healthy hair and will make it less brittle therefore less breakage. An additional benefit is that Castor oil can also maintain your hair pigmentation and delays the process of hair graying. Frequent application can keep a hold on your natural hair colour.
Luscious Eyebrows And Eyelashes
Castor oil is high in nutrients, phytochemicals, protein and fatty acids which nourishes the hair follicles, stimulates quicker and fuller hair growth and boosts thicker and darker lashes and brows. It can help make your eyebrows look fuller.
Simply dip a cotton bud in an all-natural cold-pressed Castor oil and apply on your eyebrows and lash every night before going to bed. You will wake up with a healthier and fuller appearance of brows and lash.
Beard Growth
Castor oil is regarded as one of the best beard growth oils. Apart from adding shine to your beard, Castor oil is also effective in regenerating and re-growing damaged beard hair in the following ways.
✔ Roots are nourished, thus hair strands are stronger and thicker
✔ Skin under the beard gets hydrated and moisturized which stimulates the growth of hair follicles
✔ Fills bald spots and evens out the beard
✔ Coats the entire beard to give a fuller and denser look
Massage a small amount of Castor oil directly to your beard, spreading downward across the beard hair to seal in extra moisture. Keep the oil in whilst you sleep and wash your beard and face thoroughly in the morning, removing any excess oil.
IS CASTOR OIL SAFE TO USE TOPICALLY
Castor oil is an all-natural product and is pretty safe to apply onto the body. Furthermore, in skincare, Castor oil is commonly diluted in a carrier oil before being applied to the skin.
However, with any new oil or product, do test a tiny amount on your inner arm to make sure you do not have any reaction especially if you intend to use Castor oil for eyebrow or eyelash. Wait at least 24 hours to see if you notice any swelling, irritation or allergic reaction. While reactions are rare, some people might be allergic to Castor oil.
The good news is that according to human trials it was found that Castor oil is not a skin irritant. However, those who have sensitive skin might experience skin irritation. Castor oil may also cause eye irritation and mild discomfort if it enters the eye. If this happens, all you need to do is to flush it out with water. You can also wash your eyelids and the area around your eye with a little bit of mild soap. Just be careful to never put soap directly in your eye.
Using Castor oil on babies’ skin is generally safe if it is used carefully. Do not use on broken skin as it may cause irritation or rashes for the baby. Refrain from applying the oil anywhere near to your baby’s lips or genitals. Pregnant women are advised to stay away from this oil as it can have adverse health effects.
GREEN HERBOLOGY 100% PURE CASTOR OIL EYELASH GROW
Having strong, thick, defined eyelashes and eyebrows have been a beauty goal for women all the time. This has resulted in eyelash extensions and eyebrow thickening or so called ’embroidery’ is raising in popularity. However, using a gentle serum is much safer than installing these extensions or thickening, thus reducing the risk of undesired outcome.
At Green Herbology you can find our ready to use 100% Pure Castor Oil EyeLash Grow at a very reasonable price. You can apply it both to your lashes and your eye brows. Positive feedbacks from customers who have used this product were very encouraging.
For eyelashes, using the mascara wand, wipe of excess oil if necessary, simply brush a small amount of oil onto your lashes, paying attention not to get any into your eyes (but if you do, just flush off with water). Make sure you coat both the front and back of your lashes. Upon waking up in the morning, wash off with a mild cleanser.
To use it on your brows, also using the mascara wand, brush a small amount onto eyebrows, being careful not to get any in the eye. Start at the bridge of your nose and apply the oil in the direction your eyebrow hair growth. Then, apply the oil in the opposite direction ensuring your eyebrow is saturated with the oil in both directions. Wash off in the morning with a mild cleanser.
Green Herbology 100% Pure Castor Oil EyeLash Grow allows you to enjoy beautiful eye lashes and eyebrows naturally and feeding them with ingredient to improve their appearance. With the addition of grapeseed oil in the formulation, this serum is easily absorbed and not oily nor greasy. It has been clinically tested and proven by customers’ feedback that our eyelash serum can lengthen and thicken the appearance of eyelashes and brows. Eyelashes are stronger, thicker and visibly fortified, leaving you with an impressing and intense stare of envy from all angles.
GREEN HERBOLOGY GROWMORE – NATURAL CASTOR OIL HAIR MASK
Green Herbology Growmore Hair Mask contains high level of Ricinoleic acid combined with fatty acids. Our natural hair mask features more nourishing ingredients than your daily hair conditioner and can nourish and strengthen your hair shafts and roots, improves follicles and scalp health, prevents hair loss, reduces split ends and makes your hair smoother, shinier and thicker. Our GrowMore will not only heal damaged hair but will also leave your hair strong and healthy from roots to tips.
To use, just massage the hair oil into your hair and scalp, then spread all over. It will improve the blood circulation to your follicles which speed up hair growth and repair at the same time. Keep it for an hour and wash it with shampoo thoroughly. Repeat 2-3 times per week.
GREEN HERBOLOGY BOTANICAL LIQUID SOAP– THE NATURAL BODY AND HAND SOAP FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Green Herbology Botanical Liquid Soap is an oil-based soap, made from virgin coconut oil and Castor oil. When applied to the skin, it penetrates deeply and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Castor oil also contains germicidal and disinfectant properties and can soothe dry and damaged skin. Together with coconut oil base, it hydrates while providing anti-aging, antibacterial and antifungal properties that soothe, protect and heal skin.
Our all-purpose Botanical Liquid soap is the right soap for everyday use may it be for body wash, hand wash or acne care. Botanical Liquid Soap is a natural wonder that lifts away tired skin cells to leave your skin smooth, hydrated and exceptionally healthy.
DIY hair mask(opens in a new tab)
DIY SET : GROWTH AND THICKEN CASTOR HAIR MASK
You may want to try our easy to follow yet effective DIY Castor oil hair mask. The practical demonstration video below will show you exactly how this is done. The ingredients are all simple and can be found at Green Herbology, Lazada and Shopee websites. Please click below for the DIY Kit Set :-
https://greenherbology.com/product/diy-set-growth-and-thicken-castor-hair-mask/
FINAL THOUGHTS
We have to admit that Castor oil is often overlooked and under-appreciated mostly due to its thick consistency which will leave an uncomfortable residue. No worries about this as you will get the best of both worlds if you blend this oil with other carrier oils to combine their viscosity and cosmetic properties.
With so many options to choose, finding the right Castor oil from a trustworthy source is extremely important. At Green Herbology, we assure that our Castor oil is 100% pure and is produced with the highest quality standard and does not contain any harmful additives. Free from preservatives, chemicals and fragrances, it maintains the oil’s natural properties, nutritional value and high level of antioxidant, all these benefits ensuring positive effects on your skin health. Our Castor oil is only intended for use in cosmetic and skincare and is not meant for oral consumption.
Castor oil is good not only for your hair but also for your face and skin. All you need here is a few homemade alternatives using Castor oil for a healthier and naturally beautiful skin! Like any other beauty and wellness routine, using Castor oil is an investment you definitely wouldn’t want to miss. Do reap the benefits of natural remedy by Castor oil to fulfil your desire of achieving natural beauty faster before it gets too late to flaunt the hidden beautiful you !
