Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of castor oil? Most probably, we’ve all tried it, at least once. This vegetable oil used for a wide range of cosmetic and medical purposes is attested by scientists as having astonishing health benefit. Find out what it can help with, how to use it, and what its possible side effects are.
Castor oil: what’s it useful for
Did you know that castor oil is an active ingredient in a wide variety of household item, from paint to cleaning products? It is also used to treat a number of medical conditions, especially digestive problems. In the small intestine, castor oil is divided into ricinoleic acid, which accelerates the digestion process. People say that it can help to increase hair volume, including the eyelashes, although no scientific literature currently mentions this. Serving as a source of ricinoleic acid and other fatty acids, castor oil has several properties that make it a very good skin care product.
Castor oil: skin benefits
Anti-inflammatory: Both castor oil and the ricinoleic acid it contains have proven anti-inflammatory properties. This makes them useful for treating skin irritations.
Antimicrobial: Can protect the skin from infections by keeping bacteria away.
Hydrating: Castor oil contains triglycerides. These can help maintain moisture in the skin, making it a useful treatment for dry skin.
Cleaning: The triglycerides found in castor oil are also useful for removing toxins from the skin.
Acne: The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make it useful in reducing acne. Its ricinoleic acid contents may inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Skin texture: Castor oil is also rich in fatty acids. These help the skin become velvety and smooth.
Skin uniformity: The fatty acids in castor oil can help regenerate healthy skin tissues, making it useful for restoring pigmented areas of your skin.
Sensitive skin: Castor oil has a low comedogenic score. This means that it is unlikely to clog the pores of the skin, and it will reduce the appearance of black spots, making it suitable for use on sensitive skin.
Castor oil: usage
It may take a while for the skin to fully absorb the castor oil. You should know that dilluting the oil can favor skin absorption. You can dilute castor oil with other oils, such as olive or peanut oil. The recommended ratio is 1: 1 – the amount of castor oil must be the same as the oil it is mixed with. Diluted, it will absorb much easier.
Castor oil: side effects
We have already mentioned the benefits and valuable properties of castor oil, but it is important to note that some of these statements are not conclusive and the evidence tends to be more anecdotal than scientific. New studies are being frequently released, which seem to constantly prove more and more amazing benefits of this oil, but we still have a long way to go in understanding its full potential.
Throughout the time, there have been a few cases recorded with side-effects assumably related to castor oil. Anyone who has an allergic reaction to castor oil should immediately seek medical attention.
The most common reactions are:
- Skin irritation
- Bumps
- Itches
Leave a Reply