Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans.[1] It is a colourless or pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odor. Its boiling point is 313 °C (595 °F) and its density is 0.961 g/cm3.[2] It includes a mixture of triglycerides in which about 90% of fatty acids are ricinoleates. Oleic acid and linoleic acid are the other significant components.
🔺 Average composition of castor seed oil / fatty acids
Acid name Range
Ricinoleic acid 85–95
Oleic acid 2–6
Linoleic acid 1–5
α-Linolenic acid 0.5–1
Stearic acid 0.5–1
Palmitic acid 0.5–1
Dihydroxystearic acid 0.3–0.5
Others 0.2–0.5
🔺 Facts on castor oil :
Castor oil comes from seeds of the ricinus communis plant, which is native to tropical areas of Africa and Asia.
It is typically applied directly to the skin using a cotton ball.
Castor oil is relatively safe to use, but some people have reported side effects after applying it to their skin.
Castor oil is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, moisturizing, and some other useful properties.
🔺 Benefits :
Castor oil is said to provide the following benefits for the face and skin:
Face :-
* Acne: The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make it useful in reducing acne. Ricinoleic acid can inhibit growth in the bacteria that cause acne.
* Texture: Castor oil is also rich in other fatty acids. These can enhance smoothness and softness when applied to facial skin.
* Complexion: The fatty acids in castor oil can also promote the growth of healthy skin tissue, making it helpful in restoring uneven skin tones.
* Sensitive skin: Castor oil has a low comedogenic score. This means it is unlikely to clog pores in the skin and reduces the risk of developing blackheads, making it appropriate for use on sensitive skin.
* Inexpensive: Skincare products, and in particular facial creams and oils, can be very expensive. Castor oil is relatively low-cost and shares many similar properties, such as promoting a healthful complexion or moisture in the skin.
Skin :-
* Anti-inflammatory: Both castor oil and ricinoleic acid have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. This makes them useful for treating irritated skin.
* Antimicrobial: It may also protect the skinTrusted Source from bacterial infections by keeping out microbes that can cause disease.
* Moisturizing: Castor oil contains triglycerides. These can help maintain moistureTrusted Source in the skin, making it a useful treatment for dry skin.
* Hydration: Castor oil may have humectant properties, which means that it can draw moisture from the air into the skin, keeping the skin hydrated.
* Cleansing: The triglycerides found in castor oil are also helpful in removing dirt from the skin.
While castor oil contains many chemicals linked to improved skin health, there has been limited research into the dermatological benefits of castor oil. It might be more effectively put to use alongside other treatments.
🔺 Use :
It can take time for the skin to fully absorb castor oil, but diluting the oil can promote absorption into the skin.
People can dilute castor oil with other oils, such as olive or peanut oil. The recommended ratio is 1:1 – the quantity of castor oil should be the same as the oil with which it is mixed.
🔺 Side Effects :
While castor oil has a range of promising properties, it is important to note that the scientific evidence supporting many of these claims is not conclusive, and much of the evidence tends to be anecdotal rather than scientific.
This means that most studies are about one particular instance in which treatment with castor oil was successful, rather than providing wide-ranging and accurate data.
These are often reports that relate to allergic reactions, such as:
- skin rashes
- swelling
- itching
Anyone who experiences an allergic reaction to castor oil should seek medical attention immediately.
Skin irritation and the development of rashes are the most commonly reported side effects.
