Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from seeds of castor plant. The botanical name of castor plant is Riccinus communis. The oil is colorless or slightly pale. Due to its many curative properties, castor oil is an all time favorite remedy for variety of ailments; constipation is one such common problem.
However, today the external use of castor oil is more common than the internal use. Applied externally, castor oil is non irritating, protective and an emollient. And for this reason castor oil is used liberally for many skin ailments.
Castor oil has become wonderful panacea for skin problems. Many people apply the oil regularly to keep their skin smooth and glowing. Regular application of castor oil prevents premature wrinkles on your face, in fact it delays wrinkle formation. All this is possible because castor oil is loaded with compounds that nourishes the skin and keeps it young.
How Does Castor Oil Help Your Skin Health?
Castor oil penetrates deep inside the skin due to its low molecular mass. This is an advantage for the skin friendly nutrients present in castor oil to surpass the upper outer layer of skin and penetrate deeper layer.
The skin friendly ingredients in castor oil are vitamin E, antioxidants, fatty acids such as Ricinoleic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, etc. The triglyceride fatty acid present in castor oil have antiviral and anti bacterial properties.
Although all these compounds are available in our regular diet, the skin cells may receive very less amount after digestion. However, when castor oil is applied locally on skin, the absorption of its compounds and its moisturizing effect is excellent.
Benefits Of Castor Oil For Skin Care
Let us know the castor benefits for skin:
- Castor oil for fungal skin infection: the Ricinoleic acid present in castor oil acts upon yeast and fungus. It also inhibits the growth of fungus. Applying castor oil is found to be effective in treating and preventing jock’s itch. At the same, by applying castor oil, itching in between toes is reduced.
- If your nails are cracked and fissured due to fungus infection apply castor oil regularly at night on your nails.
- To keep your skin soft, smooth and shiny after shaving, apply castor oil.
- As castor oil contains vitamin E and other antioxidants, it enhances the healing process of minor injuries when applied regularly. These minor injuries may be first degree superficial burns, cuts and abrasions.
- The fatty acids present in castor oil are effective in healing chilblains.
- If you have dry skin, regular application of castor oil reduces dryness. This is because of the moisturizing effect of castor oil. The best time to apply the oil is just after bathing. Instead of costly moisturizers, you can apply castor oil on your skin to prevent it from drying.
- Apply castor oil to your soles and cracked heels. Within few days the cracks heal and the skin around the sole and heel becomes smooth and soft.
- You can also apply castor oil on your chapped hands and lips to restore its moisture and softness.
- When applied on warts, corns and moles, castor oil has produced marvelous results. Because of the antiviral property of Ricinoelic acid, application of castor oil gives definite positive results in removing warts.
- Applying castor oil below the eyes helps in removing the dark circles.
- Castor oil is an inexpensive remedy in treating nappy rash in babies.