Castor oil is the go-to traditional cure for skin and hair problems, as well as for a variety of health issues such as joint pains and upset stomach. The oil was often used as a laxative but is also beneficial for delicate facial skin. It is also an effective emollient for dry skin and can even help to detoxify and cleanse skin.
Castor plants are mostly found in India and Africa. The oil is extracted from crushing the seeds and has been used as a centuries-old remedy use by traditional healers for inflammation and bacterial infections. In the present time, it’s anti-oxidant properties has been vastly studied and thus it is more commonly used for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits. some of the benefits of the oil are:
Detoxification
Castor oil is detoxifying and helps to break up oils on the face that clog glands and pores. It contains a compound called under cylenic acid, which can help to disinfect the skin and even kill bacteria that cause skin conditions such as acne. Detoxification can be easily done by rubbing the oil into the skin each night and then washing off the excess.
Moisturize
Castor oil can be very moisturizing and can even soften dry skin and rough age spots. According to Palomar Community College, it is an excellent skin emollient and even helps with skin conditions like dermatitis, which can cause severely rough dry skin. Using castor oil on a nightly basis can be especially helpful in the winter months when skin is at its driest
Cleansing
Castor oil can also help to cleanse the skin of dead skin cells that are clogging the sebaceous glands. Rubbing castor oil on your face helps to pull out impurities in the pores. This can help to decrease breakouts on the skin that are often caused by these clogged glands. For this method, massage castor oil into the skin and then wash it off with warm, soapy water.