https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castor_oil.jpg, Pete Markham from Loretto, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 40 years of DIY skincare experience.
Castor oil has been a staple in my home for decades. I discovered it while devouring second-hand healthy living books in my 20’s and 30’s. I historically used castor oil primarily for the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) and to treat soft tissue pain and inflammation. A recent sports injury and subsequent extended bedrest provided an opportunity to mindlessly binge YouTube videos. I quickly learned that castor oil usage has greatly expanded! I increased my use of castor oil and like many others, my anecdotal results are miraculously fabulous on my 65-year-old skin.
Castor oil, is derived from the Ricinus communis L., or castor oil plant in the Euphorbiaceaeor family. It is a renewable resource that is used extensively in the commercial industry. Castor is one of the oldest cultivated crops. Africa domesticated and India refined and introduced the oil to China about 1,400 years ago. In contemporary times, castor oil has been used for centuries throughout the world; but castor oil is known to have been used as early as the 16th century B.C. Castor oil is primarily cultivated in Africa, South America and India and processed in Brazil, China, and India. India accounts for 90% of castor oil exports.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ricinus_communis,_Castor_bean,_Castor_oil_plant,_Wonder_tree,_%E0%B4%86%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D.jpg, Renjusplace, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Castor oil is classified as a type of triglyceride fatty acid. Fatty acids smooth and soften skin and increase skin tissue health via moisturizing, hydrating, and cleansing. Castor oil is comprised of about 90 percent (%) ricinoleic acid, 4% linoleic, 3% oleic, 1% stearic, and less than 1% linolenic fatty acids. The unique components and chemical structure of castor oil supports a variety of physical, chemical, and physiological activities.
Therapeutic constituents in castor oil include fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, terpenoids and phytosterols.
Castor oil has a long shelf life because it contains natural preservatives that prevent oxidation.
Castor oil provides many commercial benefits. It is used to make soaps, waxes, vegetable oil greases, feedstock and a large variety of other materials. Castor oil is used to replace and may perform better than petroleum-based products.
Limited research and anecdotal evidence indicate that the unique properties of castor oil are beneficial for a variety of health and beauty conditions including:
Anti-bacterial
Anti-diabetic
Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Hepatoprotective – protects liver
Reduces free radicals
Promotes wound-healing
Increases production of lymphocytes to protect from toxins and bacteria
Improves lymphatic, circulatory and digestive systems
Powerful laxative
Induces labor and contractions
Reduces acne by reducing bacteria
Softens and hydrates irritated skin
Reduces inflammation and joint pain
Improves blood circulation to hair follicles
Anecdotal Evidence
YouTube testimonials provide anecdotal evidence of castor oil’s beauty benefits. I published an article in 2021 about the OCM, which uses castor oil mixed with other oils. Some sources recommend that castor oil be used minimally on the skin because it can be drying. My anecdotal experience is that castor oil is luxuriously moisturizing. Check out your favorite streaming platform to search for other castor oil anecdotal reviews.
Castor Oil Research
There is limited research on castor oil and skin use. One study found that castor oil cream is safe and effective for use around the eyes to reduce hyperpigmentation and other darkness issues, including melasma. The study reports that more research is needed to identify the biochemical effects of castor oil on hyperpigmentation and to confirm the study’s findings.
Castor Oil Skin Benefits
Castor oil has a multitude of beauty benefits including:
Protects against wrinkles
Addresses typical signs and symptoms of skin aging
Is as effective as high strength serums or injections
Moisturizes skin
Soothes dry skin
Protects against wrinkles
Speeds hair growth
Heals dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
Soothes inflamed skin
Castor Oil Usage
For health and safety, optimum results, and for the health of our precious planet Earth, it is best to purchase organic castor oil from a company that uses sustainable practices, has been cold pressed and is stored in a brown glass bottle. Get the best quality that you can afford.
Castor oil is an extremely thick oil. Care must be taken during use. Over time, I’ve ruined several articles of clothing and have since developed better handling practices. Castor oil may be a golden color or clear depending on the oil source and processing methods.
I purchase a large bottle of castor oil, transfer a portion of the oil into a small sterile glass bottle with a glass eye dropper. I store the large bottle of castor oil in the refrigerator and the small bottle in my medicine cabinet.
When I used castor oil in the past, I would try to spread large globs of it on my skin. It was not a good experience. I never could spread a handful of castor oil smoothly across my skin and it would not soak in. It was messy. Castor oil may be blended with other oils or with creams and body butters for easier application.
These days, I apply a nickel size portion of castor oil to palmed fingers of one hand. I rub my palmed fingers together to spread the castor oil and pat the castor oil onto my neck and face. To apply castor oil to my body I spread a quarter sized amount on my entire palm. I pat castor oil on my arms, torso and legs. I add more castor oil to my hands as needed. A thin castor oil coating will soak into the skin more easily. Body heat warms the castor oil and the thin veneer may be spread more. Heat will increase castor oil absorption. I may only apply castor oil or I may apply a thin layer of a DIY body butter or DIY cream over the castor oil.
I try to allow 20 to 30 minutes for the castor oil to soak in. A thin veneer of castor oil may not leave a residue. If the castor oil does not soak in, I pat the area with a towel before dressing.
Authors Anecdotal Results
I’ve used castor oil for over 3 decades for the OCM, muscle pain and for eyelash and eyebrow conditioning. I’ve been exposed to limited castor oil information. My use and experiences are unique to me and my lifestyle. There are many other castor oil methods, uses and experiences.
After sustaining a severe hamstring injury on February 3, 2024, I applied castor oil to my injured leg. I knew that castor oil is an effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, yet once again I was surprised at how good it was at reducing pain. I used a Near Infrared Light (NIR) and no other pain relievers. Later I noticed that my injured leg skin was surprisingly smooth. Not only did my throbbing pain subside but the skin on my leg was incredibly soft.
In recent years, I’ve experienced changes and some portions of my 65-year-old skin are crepey. I live in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and it is dryyyyyyy but this excessively dry skin condition crept up on me. I am exploring holistic treatment options; in the meantime, my softened injury leg skin and the castor oil YouTube testimonials caught my attention.
Unfortunately, I have no special before and after photos! I wish that I did. Some of my results were surprisingly good. If I can pull it together (I don’t like taking photos) I will post a current “after” image and compare it with a “former” image.
Face
In February, I began applying castor oil directly to my face and neck at night. The following morning, my facial skin looked dewy and vibrant. I began to apply castor oil to my face and neck every morning and evening. My facial skin was in good condition prior to using castor oil but after daily application, my skin became softer and velvety. Castor oil seems to nourish the skin like nothing I’ve used before. The OCM uses castor oil and may initially cause a purge when skin pores are cleaned deeply. Some folks may experience increased acne. I have never experienced acne from using castor oil.
Neck
My neck skin was particularly dry. My new favorite routine is to apply castor oil directly to my neck skin every morning and evening. I typically apply my DIY niacinamide/glucosamine and then vitamin C serums before applying the castor oil. I may or may not apply a DIY skin cream before applying DIY sunscreen. The short-term results are terrific, my noticeably dry neck skin appears well lubricated and the dryness essentially disappears. I wonder if a hyperpigmentation spot on my chest is disappearing. I am excited to see what the long-term benefits of using castor oil on my neck and décolletage will be.
Décolletage
This was my biggest surprise. While brushing my teeth and bending over the sink, I looked in the mirror and saw that the skin on my décolletage was dry and totally wrinkly. I applied castor oil for a couple of nights and the décolletage skin became smooth and hydrated and looks good even when brushing my teeth. That wrinkly skin appears to have disappeared.
Eyes
I have used castor oil on my eyebrows and eyelashes periodically over the years and I still have them! I never inventoried my eyebrows and eyelashes but I am content with the fact that they appear to be the same volume, if not a bit lighter in color. I tried using castor oil as eye drops, it felt natural and comfortable and seriously reduced eye redness which makes sense because castor oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory. I avoid synthetic products to the extent possible and use nature-based products for personal care. I don’t use eye drops for redness but if I did, I would use a high-quality castor oil, stored in clean conditions. Castor oil intensely moisturizes the skin around my eyes.
Arms
After a positive experience using castor oil on my décolletage I began applying castor oil to my arms. My arm skin is Sahara dry. I’ll need to do some serious work to improve my arm skin health. I’m thinking of working on the fascia beneath the skin to improve circulation and smooth things out, perhaps a few DIY acid peels and DIY micro-needling treatments. Time and resources. Castor oil is a wonderful and practical way to start nourishing and improving my dry arm skin today. To date, castor oil has nourished my arm skin and noticeably reduced the dryness but it is not completely eliminated.
Body Use
My Sonoran Desert skin needs moisture. I am grateful that I stayed covered head to toe from the intense Arizona sun throughout my adult life despite the untraditional style. This protected my skin throughout my life’s work as a geologist and hydrogeologist/hydrologist. It also protected my skin as a dedicated home DIYer who builds and maintains rainwater harvesting native vegetation ecosystems and vegetable gardens. But it was not enough to protect my skin from drying out. I began applying castor oil head to toe after every shower. I use the hand palm patting motion to apply a thin veneer of castor oil everywhere. I may apply a thin layer of body butter afterwards. This greatly moisturizes my dry skin.
Boil
A boil may form when a hair follicle becomes infected. They can become large, inflamed and painful. Years ago, I developed a boil on my back. My dermatologist verified the issue and said that she would cut it out for a couple hundred dollars. Instead, I applied castor oil packs and over time was able to eliminate the boil myself. Boils can return, I periodically dab castor oil on it and it has remained primarily inactive.
Muscle Aches and Pains
I’ve made DIY castor oil packs periodically over three decades. I did this infrequently due to the thick nature of castor oil. An oil pack allows the affected body part to be saturated with castor oil for an extended period of time. The castor oil penetrates the skin and reduces inflammation. During the early stages of my hamstring injury and surgery recovery, I used a NIR light and while my skin was warm, I applied castor oil which was quickly absorbed. This greatly reduced my pain and I had little swelling.
Surgical Incision
Following Proximal Hamstring Avulsion surgery in February 2024, I applied castor oil around my incision for the first six weeks and subsequently directly on my incision. There are anecdotal reports that castor oil breaks up scar tissue or prevents it from forming. I used NIR, red light, and castor oil on my incision and adjacent soft tissue on a daily basis for 8 weeks and have had a remarkable recovery. My four-inch incision is nine weeks old, soft, pliable and looks and feels terrific.
Safety
Castor oil may cause an allergic reaction in some people. As with any product that is new to you, conduct a patch test on your skin for 24 hours before using. Castor oil is potent. If you are pregnant, check with your medical provider before using, castor oil may cause uterine contractions.
Summary
Castor oil, my long-time friend. The breadth and depth of our relationship has increased over time. You’ve been an understudied and undervalued resource. This DIY skin care enthusiast embraces natural products and deems castor oil as a cost-effective beauty resource and is grateful for this gift of the Earth.
If you need more information, check out the local library, search the Internet, or check out my past Blog articles. It would be an honor to me if you purchased my facial care book. Thank you!
Take good care of yourselves!
XO Deborah
This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.