5 Reasons Castor Oil Should Be On Your Beauty Shelf

You all know the drill with coconut oil and olive oil by now. But do you know about castor oil? The uses for this oil seem endless, which is why it is often referred to as a “wonder oil”. Below you can find exactly what castor oil is and some of its common uses.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil itself is a vegetable oil. It is obtained from the pressed seeds of the castor oil plant. (1) Originating from Africa and Asia, there is evidence of the castor oil plant and its use in the prehistoric era. Evidence even shows castor seeds and other parts of the plant were utilized in ancient Egypt for pharmacological purposes such as a remedy for wound healing, baldness, a laxative, labor induction, and more. (2) The efficacy of the plant is still intact because it is used for some of these same things today!

Benefits of Castor Oil

What are some of the uses of castor oil? What properties help it provide these great benefits? The answers are here.

Hydrates the Skin

Vegetable oils, like castor oil, are commonly known to soften and hydrate the skin while also helping with regenerating the epidermis to promote wound healing. (3) Castor oil is rich in the monounsaturated fatty acid ricinoleic acid, which acts as a humectant⁵ to help moisturize the skin. This quality is why castor oil is commonly used in cosmetic products like lotions, cleansers, and makeup. (4)

Reduces Acne

Acne is commonly caused by inflammation and can be subdued with anti-inflammatory drugs. (5) For a more natural option, castor oil shows promise. Castor oil not only has anti-inflammatory properties, but also analgesic¹ and antimicrobial² properties. All great to help combat acne. (6)

Revives the Hair & Scalp

Often hair suffers from hygral fatigue⁶, which can damage hair and lead to tangling, frizziness, dullness, and other symptoms. Thankfully oils like castor oil can help in protecting the hair from this kind of damage. The oil helps by filling the gap between the cuticle cells, which helps to prevent things like surfactants⁸ from getting inside the follicle. Regular application will also help prevent hair breakage and lubricate the hair shaft. (7) The application of castor oil will also help with the luster⁷ of your hair. Castor oil is made up of fatty acids and triglycerides which help with this. (8) Before applying to the hair and scalp, it is recommended to first dilute castor oil with coconut oil. (9)

Assist with Eye Health

Not only is the anti-inflammatory property of castor oil good for acne, but it can also help with surface diseases around the eyes like dry eye disease, lid disease, and possibly with reducing crusting and flaking around the lid. It is also said the beneficial antimicrobial properties that were observed in studies on oral bacteria could translate to the bacteria surrounding the eye as well. (19)

Fights Fungus

Castor oil can also fight fungus? Yes! The oil has natural antimicrobial properties that help with fungal issues. In a study evaluating Candida albicans³ and Enterococcus faecalis⁴ in root canals, castor oil demonstrated that it was able to completely eliminate C. albicans and significantly reduce the amount of E. faecalis. (10)

Possible Side Effects

As with anything, there are possible side effects with castor oil. If you commonly have allergic reactions with the seeds of plants, make sure to do a test swatch with the oil on your skin. Other possible side effects that are related to ingestion are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and labor induction. Please refer to your doctor before ingesting castor oil and if any symptoms occur. (4, 12)

Conclusion

Although the uses listed above are not backed by the FDA, castor oil has been used in society for a multitude of issues. Those mentioned above are just the most common and are backed by personal use for thousands of years.

Need help finding which castor oil you should try? PurO3 Ozonated Castor Oil is a great option! Not only does it have the natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties of castor oil, it’s infused with ozone. How does this help? Ozone itself is helpful with killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses, so infusing this gas only enhances the properties of the castor oil. This essentially produces a super castor oil that is perfect if you’re looking for a simple, natural, clean ingredient product.

Glossary

Analgesic: An agent that relieves or lessens pain without the loss of consciousness. (13)
Antimicrobial: Destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. (14)
Candida albicans: The most common yeast fungal infection and is normally found on the skin and inside the body in the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina. (17)
Enterococcus faecalis: Bacteria that are normally found in the human intestines and in the female genital tract and is transmitted due to poor hygiene. (18)
Humectant: A substance that promotes retention of moisture. (15)
Hygral Fatigue: Damage to your hair follicles caused by swelling from excessive moisture. (11)
Luster: The ability of a given material to produce a bright reflection. (8)
Surfactants: A surface active substance such as a detergent. (16)

References