Castor oil is the world’s richest source of ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that delivers moisture and anti-inflammatory properties straight to your skin. Learn how to add this ancestral remedy to your modern-day skincare routine.

Castor oil. You’ve heard about its benefits for hair growth, liver detox, and lymphatic drainage. But what about castor oil skincare? This plant-based oil is one of our favorites to add to beauty products because it’s deeply hydrating and performs well on all skin types. That said, the oil is thick and can be a little tricky to master. If you’ve ever thought about adding castor oil to your skincare routine, you absolutely should. Here’s all the benefits and how to achieve glowing results.

 

What Is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a plant-based oil that comes from pressed castor bean seeds. It’s the world’s richest source of ricinoleic acid (a powerful fatty acid), and it’s one of the most beloved natural remedies for skin health and gentle detox. The therapeutic use of castor oil dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, and it’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine throughout the years. Unlike other plant-based oils, castor oil is naturally very thick, so it can be intimidating to people who use light soaps, cleansers, or serums for their skincare routine. But once you learn how to harness the many benefits of castor oil skincare, you’ll never look back.

 

The Benefits of Castor Oil for Skin

Pure castor oil is extremely moisturizing to the skin. It contains a high concentration of ricinoleic acid, which delivers anti-inflammatory properties deep into the skin barrier. You can use it as a cleanser to target scars, fade hyperpigmentation, and promote a healthy microbiome.

• Deep Hydration

Get well-moisturized skin that bounces back by using castor oil skincare daily. Its unique structure allows the oil to penetrate deep into the skin barrier, feeding it with fatty acids and nutrient-rich hydration.

• A Natural Cleanser

Hear us out: cleansing your face with oil is better than cleansing it with soap. Oil cleansing is an ancient skincare tradition that dates all the way back to early Egyptian civilizations, and it works by purifying and balancing the natural oils your skin produces.

• Microbiome Balance

Instead of stripping your skin, the goal of castor oil skincare is to nourish a healthy microbiome. Your best defense against unhealthy bacteria (the kind that causes breakouts) is a strong microbiome.

• Anti-Inflammatory

If you want to see the anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil in action, try a castor oil pack and watch your digestion and lymphatic health improve in real-time. For skin, castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help resolve redness, irritation, eczema, acne, and sensitive skin.

 

• Great for Scars and Stretch Marks

If you want a face cleanser that also targets acne scars, you have to try castor oil. The fatty acid content and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce swelling and scar tissue around injuries, giving your body space to properly heal.

• Better Lymphatic Flow

The therapeutic benefits of ricinoleic acid may help reduce inflammation throughout the whole body, particularly by stimulating lymphatic flow. Use castor oil skincare in the morning to reduce puffiness, or apply it directly to swollen lymph nodes in your neck, the back of your head, and your chin.

 

Does Castor Oil Clog Pores?

Everyone’s skin is different, but castor oil is not generally considered a pore-clogger when it’s used correctly. To avoid clogging pores, you’ll want to massage the castor oil into your face for a few minutes and then remove all of the oil with a damp washcloth. People tend to experience acne breakouts and clogged pores only when the castor oil sits on their skin for a long period of time.

Castor oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, so in many cases, it reduces acne and breakouts. It is a thick oil and can be sticky, so it should be mixed with other oils (like jojoba oil) for a lighter and more luxurious application. If you are acne prone or have sensitive skin, it’s always best to do a patch test with any new product.

 

Will Castor Oil Remove Age Spots?

About 90% of the fatty acids in castor oil are ricinoleic acid, a nutrient that’s known for its skin-lightening properties. This is good evidence that castor oil can help fade age spots, although it takes consistent use. It’s common to spot treat age spots with castor oil, but we find that the oil cleansing method is more effective and evens out the complexion.

 

What Kind of Castor Oil Is Safe for Skin?

Since castor oil is highly absorbent, you want a high-quality castor oil product for your skin. The oil should be cold-pressed, hexane-free, organically sourced, and tested for impurities (if possible).

 

High-Quality Castor Oil That’s Formulated for Easy Application

We’ll be honest. We want all the benefits of castor oil for skin but without the sticky application. The thick texture of castor oil is what makes it so nourishing, but this can also diminish the light and luxurious feeling we want from our skincare. That’s why we combine it with other super nourishing plant-based oils (seabuckthorn and jojoba oil). These oils reduce the sticky feeling and provide more benefits straight to your skin.

Try Our Bestselling Oil Cleanser with Castor Oil