Nourish to Flourish: The Triple Treat of Castor Oil for Gorgeous Skin, Eyebrows, and Lashes
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Introduction
Time and time again we see that, rather than needing expensive pharmaceutical products, nature can hold the key to radiant and youthful skin. Castor oil is being talked about a lot on social media these days and in this article we want to explore whether it is deserving of all the hype.
We will look at what incorporating castor oil into your daily routine could potentially do for your skin, your eyebrows and eyelashes. If it lives up to the social media stories, it would be fantastic because a bottle of castor oil is relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time. So let’s do a deep dive on castor oil!
Where does castor oil come from?
Castor oil comes from the seeds of the castor bean plant. This plant grows in warm climates around the globe, in countries like India, China, Brazil, and Ethiopia.
The process of getting the oil is pretty straightforward; they press the seeds, squeezing the goodness out of them, producing a thick, rich oil that’s great for our skin and hair.
So the castor bean plant soaks up the sun in these warm places, giving us this special oil.
- Eva Naturals Organic Castor Oil (60ml)
- Promotes Hair, Eyebrow and Eyelash Growth
- Diminishes Wrinkles and Signs of Aging
- Hydrates and Nourishes Skin
- 100% Pure
- Cold Pressed, Premium Quality
What ingredients in castor oil cause benefits ?
Castor oil is rich in fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, promoting skin health and vitality. Castor oil is abundant in vitamins and minerals that contribute to its rejuvenating effects for both skin and hair.
How does castor oil benefit the skin?
According to WedMD.com, because castor oil is rich in fatty acids, it is an effective moisturiser, which is why it can be found in many commercial beauty products.
Castor oil can deeply hydrate the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can leave your skin soft and supple.
For radiant skin, massage a few drops of castor oil onto clean, damp skin in circular motions. Leave it on overnight for an intensive treatment.
The Seeoran team are big fans of facial massage and using a Gua Sha for toning and sculpting your face. We would recommend that you combine putting castor oil on your face with a good massage technique. Check out our article Facial massage: could this be the answer to your anti-aging prayers?
Castor oil is very thick so you might prefer to mix with a carrier oil. We give details on how to do that below.
Let's hear from Dr Rajani
Effect of castor oil on eyelashes and eyebrows
Castor oil has become a beauty secret for achieving fuller eyebrows and longer lashes. Its nourishing properties stimulate hair follicles, promoting growth and preventing breakage.
Dip a clean mascara wand or a cotton swab into castor oil and gently brush it onto your eyebrows and your eyelashes. For your eyebrows make sure you massage the oil into the root and also make sure the oil reaches the root of your eyelashes.
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Mixing castor oil with a carrier oil
Castor oil is thick, and you might feel more comfortable mixing it with a lighter oil to make things smoother. A carrier oil makes castor oil easier to work with, and generally they have their own beneficial qualities.
Here are some carrier oils you might want to bring into the mix:
- Coconut Oil: The tropical oil that’s light and smells great. It does go hard in colder temperatures so bear that in mind.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Soft and gentle, perfect for sensitive skin.
- Jojoba Oil: The all-rounder that’s good for skin and hair.
- Olive Oil: The classic, known for its rich goodness.
- Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight and packed with nutrients.
Mix your castor oil and carrier oil together 50:50, and you’ve got yourself a beauty potion ready to work wonders on your skin and hair, at a very inexpensive price!
Type of castor oil to use
According to Dr Anil Rajani (see his video above), for the best results, opt for virgin, organic, and cold-pressed castor oil. These varieties retain the maximum nutrients and are free from harmful chemicals.
Choose a product from a reputable website that gets good reviews.
Why is Jamaican Black Castor Oil particularly effective?
Jamaican Black Castor Oil, renowned for its dark colour, is produced by roasting castor seeds before pressing. This process supposedly enhances its nutrient content, making it particularly effective for hair and skin health.
We’re not sure that there is any actual data to back up these claims but if you look at the product on Amazon, you will see that it gets very good reviews, particularly in relation to hair growth.
- 100% Pure Castor Beans Oil
- For Hair, Eyelashes And Eyebrows
- 4 oz
Side effects of castor oil
While topical use is generally safe, caution should be exercised. If it is your first time to use castor oil, do a patch test – apply to a small section of skin and wait 48 hours, just in case you have any reaction or irritation.
Castor oil acts as a laxative due to its high concentration of ricinoleic acid, which stimulates receptors in the intestines, leading to increased contractions of the smooth muscles, promoting bowel movements. While castor oil can be effective as a laxative, it’s essential to use it with caution and always consult with a healthcare professional before using castor oil or any laxative for medicinal purposes.
For the same reason as castor oil works as a laxative, it can also stimulate contractions in pregnant women and you should never consume castor oil when pregnant.
Conclusion
We usually like to support our arguments with scientific data but there isn’t a whole lot of research on the effects of castor oil. Although the evidence to support castor oil is largely anecdotal, we believe that there is a convincing argument that it has strong benefits – you just have to look at any of the product reviews on Amazon.
As with any skincare product, the secret is consistency so, if you are going to try it out, build it into your nightly skincare routine. It is very thick so you definitely would use it at night rather than the daytime.
Dr Rajani, in the video above, says that castor oil is nature’s Botox because of its ability to smooth wrinkles and lines. If you are interested in Botox, check out our article 10 things you must know to decide whether Botox is right for you
What do you think about castor oil? Have you used it in the past? If so, what benefits have you seen?