Surely you have seen it in the formulas of cosmetic products such as soaps, creams and lotions. Although it is also possible to use it pure. In this case, due to its concentration of essential oils , only a couple of drops added to the day cream or hair product for daily use will suffice.
But before adding it to the daily care routine, it is important to know what is castor oil for and how is it used?
What is castor oil and what is it used for?
Due to its laxative properties, castor oil has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times . As its name in English is ” castor oil “, it is also often called castor oil , although its origin has nothing to do with that animal.
It contains a huge amount of vitamin E, proteins, minerals, as well as having antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. For this reason, it has been used as a remedy for all kinds of dermatological and for hair problems.
Castor oil is a triglyceride, made up of essential fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid (omega 9) which is believed to be responsible for its unique properties.
It is extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant, known as Ricinus Communis, native to Africa and India. The seeds contain 40-50% of their weight in oil which, unlike the seeds themselves, is not toxic.
Castor oil is made from the seeds of a plant called Ricinus Communis.
Castor oil is rich in vitamin E , and can help stimulate collagen and elastin production and moisturize the skin. Its ricinoleic acid is also capable of reducing inflammation, so it helps fight the bacteria that cause acne.
However, care must be taken not to use too much oil as this could cause the opposite effect to that desired: clogging the open pores.
How is castor oil used on hair?
Castor oil properties are believed to stimulate hair growth and repair dry or damaged hair, allowing faster growth. It is recommended to warm it up a bit before applying it and massage it into the scalp for about 5 minutes before going to sleep, every night.
Another option is to apply it directly to the tips with your fingers, without exceeding the amount of product. Finally, if we want to integrate it into our routine occasionally, the oil can be mixed with a cream bath or mask, to keep it healthier and brighter and shiny.
Castor oil is a good ally for damaged hair or split ends.
Using castor oil on eyelashes
The oil stimulates blood circulation to the hair follicles, so it can be an ally for weak or sparse eyelashes. It should be applied every night on clean, make-up removed eyelashes and gently massage until absorbed. We can also use it on the eyebrows, in case you want to stimulate their growth. But it is important to be very careful that it does not get into the eyes area.
Using castor oil on nails
On the hands and feet , the moisturizing properties of castor oil help to show off hydrated, strong and healthy-looking nails, as long as it is applied consistently to the cuticles, gently massaging the hands with a few drops every night. On the feet, in addition, its anti-inflammatory action can relieve the pain of calluses and help reduce inflammation.
Even so, in all these cases, the correct thing to do is to use it after consulting a dermatologist.
