Pharmaceutical grade castor oil is a common variety of oil with a plethora of uses and benefits. Popular for its beauty benefits for the skin, hair, nails and even to combat certain everyday health problems, hydrogenated castor oil is one of these essential treasures of nature to always keep on hand.
Castor oil is also known as ricinoleic oil and its derivatives are used in several clinical applications. Also referred to as beaver oil, it is 100% vegetarian. Castor oil (Ricinuscommunis), native to Africa, is now cultivated around the world.
In the West Indies, in particular, castor oil is used to relieve intestinal problems, flu-like illnesses, and skin diseases. Here are some other uses of castor oil and its derivatives:
Castor oil in cosmetics
Castor oil is a very common cosmetic ingredient. This is because the ricinoleic acidfacilitates its spreading on the skin, the stability of the pigments in makeup, makes lipsticks shiny, and allows cold saponified soaps to foam and much more.
Above all, it has amazing properties! It is one of the best allies against all skin conditions, from eczema to acne, including psoriasis, yeast infections, brown spots, severe inflammation and dryness.
Castor oil cleanses, purifies and softens, reduces scars, hydrates and nourishes. But it’s most spectacular benefits relate to the hair, eyelashes and nails. It doesn’t just beautify your hair but also strengthens it and accelerates its growth.
You will be surprised to know that castor oil is also used squarely to thicken the mane of horses.
So how exactly does pharmaceutical grade castor oil help?
Its secret is its composition. Castor oil is extremely rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and in particular in ricinoleic acid(up to 95%). This acid is a laxative and above all antimicrobial and antibacterial. This helps castor oil regulate the proliferation of microorganisms on the skin and scalp while hydrating and nourishing them with its oleic and linoleic acids.
Its texture (it is the densest vegetable oil) does the rest with an exceptional sheathing power. The oil creates a protective layer on your skin and hair as strong as chemical-laden skincare products, minus their drying, lubricating and polluting effect!
How to use castor oil for hair, nails and eyelashes?
For hair
Beneficial for all hair types, Castor oil is particularly beneficial for frizzy, devitalized, split, fine or brittle hair. It also helps stimulate growth or slow down hair loss.
By its composition and texture, it effectively nourishes and strengthens the hair. It sheaths and locks the hair fiber to avoid their dehydration. Your tired hair gains volume and transforms into a supple and shiny mane with obvious results from the first application!
The antioxidant vitamin E strengthens its resistance to external aggressions, and helps to fight against dandruff.
And that’s not all! The oil cleanses the scalp by removing impurities that clog its pores. And a scalp that breathes well is the perfect home ground for health and the growth of hair fibers. With proper micro-circulation in the scalp, the hair follicles are full of nutrients. After a few weeks of regular use, you will notice an acceleration of growth and/or a decrease in hair loss.
How to use it?
Castor oil is on dry untangled hair before shampooing. To give volume and shine, use it in a generous oil bath, mostly on lengths and ends so as not to suffocate your scalp (unless it is very dry, but especially not if you have a tendency to oily roots).
For anti-hair loss or anti-dandruff care, and to stimulate growth, apply castor oil drop by drop and line by line and massage your skull. You can also add a few drops ofcastor oil to your shampoo.
Leave on under a warm towel, at least 1 hour or, better, overnight. Wash until the greasy feeling disappears. Use a shampoo without sulfate agents and not too hot water. Repeat this 1 to 3 times a week, in one month courses, spaced at least 4 weeks apart.
Best way to use it
You can easily use it pure but, as it is very viscous, mixing it 50/50 with another more fluid oil will facilitate its application and avoid weighing down your hair. Play on synergies depending on the problem you want to treat.
Coconut or Mustard for regrowth, Nigella seeds oil for anti-hair loss, Jojoba for shiny and vigorous hair. You can also add 2 drops of essential oil of Ylang-ylang or True Lavender for shine, Geranium against dandruff or Grapefruit oil for anti-fall.
For tough nails
Brittle or soft nails, which split, or are damaged, yellowed, which grow badly and lead to dry and painful cuticles can be fixed with castor oil. Whether it is the result of dehydration, of
Your daily activities (shocks from the keyboard keys, household products, doing dishes without gloves) or natural texture, castor oil can work miracles.
Thanks to ricinoleic acid and its omega-6 and 9, Castor oil can save your nails by strengthening them and nourishing the cuticles. It protects them from bacteria and fungi which prevent them from growing optimally. Finally, it hydrates them. Result – a simulated growth for shiny and more resistant nails.
How to use castor oilon nails?
One to three times a week if necessary, ideally in the evening before bedtime, apply a drop of castor oil on each nail and massage. You can also apply it as a varnish, with a small brush, or in an oil bath.
Use it pure or mixed 50/50 with Nigella, Borage, Shea, Cassis or Broccoli oil. Other interesting combinations for massaging your cuticles include Lemon or Ylang-ylang essential oil.
The condition of your nails can also be linked to a deficiency in iron, zinc, vitamins. Do not hesitate to consult if you do not see any lasting improvement with the use of castor oil.
For intense eyebrows and eyelashes
Very fine eyelashes or eyelashes that have lost their volume and have become sparse, brittle can come back to life with castor oil
It is the same mode of action as for hair. Castor oil will hydrate, strengthen, sanitize and nourish the follicles for longer, fuller and more vigorous lashes and eyebrows.
How to use it for eyebrows and eyelashes?
Use it daily, preferably in the evening, before bedtime to preserve your bed linen. Pour a drop of Castor Oil on your finger and gently wipe it over your lashes. Be careful not to put it in your eyes, castor oil is irritating! Rinse off the next day.
The right frequency? A one-month treatment, 2 to 3 times a year.
Use a clean mascara brush to apply it from the base to the tips.
To conclude
The effects of castor oil will be all the more spectacular when you use a quality oil. That is to say, the mode of production has preserved all fatty acids. Jamaican black castor oil is one such variety. And to preserve all its qualities, keep it away from light, heat and humidity, in an opaque airtight bottle.
Finally, castor oil has the advantage of being not very sensitive to oxidation but do not get carried away buying it in large cans, especially if you use it only for nails or eyelashes.
