Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of a plant called ricino, this plant native to Africa and India. It should be noted that this fabulous oil is used in various cosmetic products, massage oils, soaps and also medicines, because it provides great benefits for the skin, hair and general health.
I remember that when I was very small my grandmother talked a lot about this oil, I remember that they used it as a purgative, at that time I did not know about the great benefits of oil, so I explain:
Stimulates hair growth:
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In the case of hair it is recommended to warm it up a little before applying it and give a massage on the scalp for about 5 minutes. It is advisable to repeat this treatment daily and do it before going to sleep, to act during the night and the next morning to remove the oil in the shower. The oil stimulates blood circulation to the hair follicles, allowing faster growth.
It helps to avoid split ends and improve dry or damaged hair:
It will also help us maintain the good condition of the hair in case of being damaged or dry. Mix a few drops in our usual shampoo, using a couple of spoonfuls as a half-to-tip mask once a week will keep it healthy and shiny. Another trick is to apply a couple of drops on the tips as a remedy to repair the split ends.
Enhances the natural color of hair and prevents gray hair:
Castor oil can make the natural color of our hair look deeper and richer. This oil is very moisturizing, and when applied, seals moisture inside the hair cuticle avoiding the loss of pigment, making each hair look thick and dark. After washing the hair, dry it with a towel and divide the hair into sections. Heat slightly one or two tablespoons of castor oil and apply it with your fingers along the hair, rubbing between the palms the separate strands to cover all the hair with the oil.
Eliminate acne:
thanks to castor oil ricinoleic acid reduces inflammation and helps fight the bacteria that cause acne. To treat acne with castor oil, you must first wash your face with warm water to open the pores and then apply the oil over the problem areas. Leave on overnight and wash the next morning. However, care should be taken not to use too much oil as this could cause the opposite effect to the desired: clog the pores and create more problems for the skin.
Facial cleansing:
Cleaning with oil is an effective method of deep cleaning the pores, toning and moisturizing at the same time. It is advisable to mix the castor oil with a lighter oil, such as apricot, olive or jojoba oil and massage the skin of the face in circles for a couple of minutes.
The fatty acids in castor oil will dissolve the traces of grease and dirt that cause blackheads and acne. To remove the oil we use a soft microfiber cloth, wet in warm water, drain excess water and apply it to the face without rubbing, with gentle touches. This will help eliminate makeup, dirt and all the substances that contribute to clogging pores.
Natural moisturizer and anti-wrinkle:
Castor oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, which penetrate deeply into the skin and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which soften and hydrate the skin. This helps delay the signs of aging, wrinkles, blemishes and fine lines in the eyes and gives the skin a smoother, younger appearance. Do not abuse because it is a very rich oil, with a couple of drops will be enough for the entire face. Castor oil is an important component of many cosmetic creams and lotions because of its excellent anti-aging properties and we will generally find it in the composition under the name of "castor oil" and although the name may lead to confusion this oil has nothing to do with these nice animals.
Soothing insect bites:
The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of castor oil make it ideal for the treatment of skin rashes, irritations and insect bites. It also helps soothe the skin in case of sunburn. If the affected area is small, you can wet a plaster soaked with castor oil and apply it to the area. For larger areas, wet a cotton or gauze in castor oil and apply directly on the affected area. Leave on for an hour (or overnight for irritations and sunburn) and wash afterwards. Repeat several times during the day to get results faster.
Reduces stretch marks and scars:
Fatty acids help blur the stretch marks of the abdomen and thighs by providing elasticity to the skin. The appearance of the scars is also benefited by its use, fatty acids penetrate the epidermis to the scar layer and erasing it while stimulating the growth of new cells. Like most natural remedies, you need time and consistency to see the results, but it is very effective.
Massage oil:
Castor oil has a lot of benefits for the health of the body, not only for the skin. Helps relax muscle tension and helps promote blood circulation. These qualities make it ideal to be used in therapeutic massages. It is a good base oil to dilute essential oils and enhance the effect of massage.
Stimulates the growth of the eyelashes:
In case of weak or scarce eyelashes, we will apply a small amount every night at the root of the clean and make-up eyelashes and massage gently until their absorption. You have to use a very small amount since it is a very dense oil and it spreads a lot, and with care that it does not enter the eyes. We can also use it in the eyebrows, in case of having them thin or with depopulated zones and we want to stimulate their growth.
Nail Moisturizer:
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It is an excellent cuticle moisturizer. Every night, massaging a few drops on the nails of the hands and feet (now that the time to wear sandals is approaching) will help us achieve hydrated, strong and healthy-looking nails.
Coadjuvant in case of hardness and calluses:
Massaging a little castor oil on the corns will help relieve the pain and inflammation caused by its anti-inflammatory action. You have to be consistent but it's a pretty effective remedy