What is castor oil?
Castor oil may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to an addition to your skin and haircare routine, but it has in-fact been used as a natural beauty product for millennia. This versatile vegetable product is extracted by cold-pressing the seeds or beans of the castor plant, or Ricinus Communis to give it its full name. In its purest version, it’s a liquid that’s colourless or pale yellow, and which has a distinctive smell and taste.
The thick, textured oil has a rich, almost honey-like consistency. And its unique make-up comprises 90% monounsaturated Omega 9 fatty acid, or Ricinoleic Acid.
What can you use castor oil for?
As we said, castor oil is incredibly versatile. So it’s no wonder it remains so popular. Here are some of the things you can use it for:
- Skincare: To nourish and moisturise the skin, since it’s a natural emollient. This oil stops water loss from the skin, which can otherwise lead to flaking or dryness, by forming a barrier on its surface to lock in moisture. And it can also help tackle troublesome dry patches of skin. What’s more, you can use it in combination with almond, olive or coconut oil. Castor oil’s essential fatty acids help restore your skin’s natural moisture balance and boost collagen production. This in turn hydrates and softens your complexion. Ultimately, it can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Additionally, castor oil suits most skin types.
This product also has anti-fungal qualities. So it can protect against the bacteria which cause spots, and improve problem skin if you use it as a cleanser. (What’s more, you can easily wipe it off – there’s no residue.)
- Haircare: Castor oil can also strengthen and nourish your hair. It conditions and smooths, while also enhancing shine and gloss and adding moisture if your hair is dry or brittle. If you have flyaway locks or split ends, try combing some castor oil through them. You can also massage this stuff straight in to your scalp to soothe irritated skin and relieve dryness. At the same time, it will boost hair growth while enhancing blood circulation.
- Lashes and eyebrows: Put a small quantity of this oil on your eyelashes or brows to stimulate growth. Use regularly and lashes and brows will look fuller and thicker.
- Gentle enough for babies: You can even use castor oil to alleviate nappy rash and cleanse and protect your baby’s skin.
Castor oil from Ganesha Wholefoods
At Ganesha Wholefoods, we’ve always loved castor oil. So we offer a castor and jojoba oil shampoo and conditioner as well as a 100ml bottle of pure organic castor oil from India to support your natural detoxifying routine. Test on a small patch of skin first, in case of the unlikely event of a reaction.
Browse and shop from our website today. Prefer to buy things in person? If you’re in the South West, pop into one of our physical stores in Sidmouth, Honiton or Axminster, all in East Devon. We’ll also gladly answer any questions you may have about any of our products.