Castor Oil: 5 Tips for Use
Castor oil is the beauty secret weapon in skin and hair care. What this multi-talent can do and what you have to bear in mind when using it – we will explain it to you!
What is castor oil?
Castor oil (lat. Ricini oleum) is obtained from the seeds of the miracle tree “Ricinus Communis”. Castor oil plant belongs to the spurge family and beautifies domestic gardens due to its red-coloured petals. Castor oil plant blossoms from August to October, the harvest takes place from October to November. The seeds are peeled and cold pressed. Cold-pressed castor oil is known for its high-quality ingredients and consists of up to around 90 percent ricinoleic acid, vitamin E (70 milligrams per 100 grams of oil!) and essential fatty acids.
Castor oil: Areas of application
Because of its manifold effects, castor oil is mainly used in the medical and cosmetic area:
- Help for constipation in the gastrointestinal tract, digestive and laxative effect (natural laxative)
- Care and moisture for skin & hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and nails
- Treatment of skin problems (warts, age spots, scars, neurodermatitis)
1. Castor oil for the skin
Cold pressed castor oil has a high skin care value, moisturizes and is known for its antioxidant effect. It protects against environmental influences and thus against premature skin aging. It not only prevents the formation of new lines, but also stimulates the production of collagen and reduces wrinkles. When used regularly, it helps to fade age spots (pigmentation marks). It also keeps scar tissue as well as extremely dry skin and scaly skin (neurodermatitis) beautifully supple. It is mainly thanks to the high ricinoleic acid content of the oil that skin problems can be alleviated. More answers to the questions “What helps with pigmentation spots?
How to apply castor oil
- Apply to the face and massage in circular movements.
- Ideally leave on overnight.
- Wash off with cold water the next morning. Nice side effect: The ricinoleic acid contained in castor oil fights bacteria that cause acne and provides an anti-inflammatory effect.
To treat age spots, apply the oil twice a day to the affected skin areas with a cotton pad, massage it in and leave it on for ten minutes. Only then apply the usual day or night care to the skin.
2. Castor oil for the hair
Castor oil has also established itself as a real all-rounder in hair care. Whether pure or as an additive in shampoos or cures from the drugstore – the golden yellow elixir has many advantages. It intensively moisturizes dry, dull hair and provides shine and suppleness. At the same time it soothes irritated and sensitive scalp and also helps against dandruff. Here are more household remedies against dandruff.
How to apply castor oil
- First wash the hair with a mild shampoo.
- Then, depending on the length of the hair, rub a few drops of the oil into the palms of your hands and massage into the scalp and hair.
- Now let it work for two hours and rinse the hair thoroughly with a shampoo without sulphates and lukewarm water.
Alternatively, you can let the oil work overnight like a deep hair conditioner. Wrap the hair with foil and a towel and shampoo thoroughly in the morning.
3. Castor oil for the eyelashes and eyebrows
You want beautiful, long and curved lashes? Thanks to the Eyelash Booster Castor Oil you can now save yourself expensive eyelash serums. By the way: With these unusual tricks your lashes will grow faster.
How the castor oil application works here
- Apply the oil carefully with an eyelash brush.
- After a reaction time of about two hours, remove with a cosmetic tissue. Make sure that the oil does not get into the eyes.
By the way: With castor oil, plucked eyebrows can also be corrected. It not only cares for the eyebrows, but also demonstrably strengthens the hairs that grow back.
4. Castor oil for the nails
The nourishing oil also moisturizes the nail and nail bed and counteracts dry and cracked cuticles.
How to apply castor oil
- Massage the oil into the nail and cuticle.
- Allow to soak in for 20 minutes.
- Simply wipe off any residue with a cosmetic tissue or cotton pad, that’s it! You have brittle fingernails? That helps too.
5. Castor oil for digestion
For constipation in the gastrointestinal tract, castor oil has proven to be a natural laxative due to its digestive and laxative effects.
How the castor oil application works here
Those who suffer from constipation should take one to a maximum of two tablespoons of castor oil on an empty stomach. If you do not want to drink the oil straight, you can mix it with milk and, if necessary, some honey or ahron syrup. The laxative effect sets in after about three to four hours. An alternative to oil is offered by laxatives in capsule form from the pharmacy or drugstore. Important: Castor oil should not be taken on a long-term basis, as this could lead to sluggishness in the intestines.