Is Castor Oil Good for Skin Tightening?

Castor oil is one of those medicine cabinet staples you might have seen in your grandparents’ home. Derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), castor oil for skin tightening has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s also a mild laxative, is beneficial in hair care, and can be effective in treating menstrual problems and rheumatism. But what does it do in tightening ageing or loose skin?(1)

Does Castor Oil Help Tighten Skin?

Castor oil is a fatty acid, a natural lubricant, and it contains compounds that help with keeping moisture in the skin. Moisture is vital for firm, youthful looking skin. Castor oil also promotes the synthesis of collagen and elastin, essential proteins that give skin firmness and elasticity (and which break down quickly as we age).(2)

How to Use Castor Oil on your Skin?

Many people around the world say that castor oil is a failsafe solution to fix loose and sagging skin. While it does contain chemicals associated with skin health, so far there has been limited scientific research into whether or not castor oil definitely tightens skin.

[ Read: How to Use Coconut oil for Skin Tightening ]

Castor oil for under eyes

• You can use castor oil around your eyes to help reduce wrinkles.

• In the morning, cleanse your face and pat it dry.

• Put one drop of castor oil on your fingertip and apply it to the skin under your eyes, especially in areas where you have wrinkles.

• Leave the oil on for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

• You can also apply castor oil to other areas of your face, such as the bridge of your nose and near your lips.

Castor oil for around the mouth

• Castor oil may help reduce wrinkles around your mouth and lips.

• In the morning, cleanse your lips and the skin around your mouth and pat it dry.

• Put one drop of castor oil on your fingertip and apply it to the skin around your mouth, especially in areas where you have wrinkles.

• You can also use a lip balm that contains castor oil.

• Leave the oil on for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

Castor oil for forehead

• Castor oil may help smooth wrinkles on your forehead.

• In the morning, cleanse your forehead and pat it dry.

• Put one drop of castor oil on your fingertip and apply it to your forehead, especially close to your eyebrows.

• Leave the oil on for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

Castor oil for chin and neckline

• Castor oil may help tighten sagging skin under your chin and neck.

• In the morning, cleanse your face, chin, and neck and pat it dry.

• Put one or two drops of castor oil on your fingertip and apply it to the skin under your chin and along your neckline.

• Leave the oil on for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

Important notes:

• Castor oil can irritate your skin, so do a patch test before using it on your face. To do a patch test, apply a small amount of castor oil to the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours. If you don’t experience any irritation, you should be safe to use castor oil on your face.

• Avoid getting castor oil in your eyes.

• If you have any concerns about using castor oil, talk to your doctor.

How to Apply Castor Oil on your Skin?

Castor oil and Essential oil for Skin Tightening

Applying castor oil directly to the skin will bring you the most benefit. (Caution: Taking it orally will not help; this will induce a laxative effect.)

How to Use:

• Mix castor oil with an essential oil to make a pleasant-smelling treatment oil.
• Coconut oil is good because it dilutes the thick castor oil while not interfering with its therapeutic qualities.
• Store the mixed oil in a dropper bottle in the refrigerator and rub a drop or two on your face each night. Or use it for a weekly face massage.
• Alternatively, make a face scrub combining 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon and enough castor oil to make a paste. Rinse well.

[ Read: How to Use Aloe Vera for Skin Tightening ]

Rubbing Castor Oil for Tightening Skin

How To Use:

• One well-known method of using a castor oil rub is to combine a cup of warmed castor oil with a few drops of a sweet-smelling oil such as lavender oil. Gently massage this into your face and other areas.
• Consider adding the oil blend into a bath and soaking your whole body for an hour.
• Rinse well afterwards and your skin will feel softer and smoother thanks to castor oil’s rich fatty acids.
• The collagen boosting properties of castor oil will help tighten your skin. Apply at least weekly for best results.

[ Read: How to Tighten Face Skin Naturally ]

Castor Oil And Lemon Juice For Skin Tightening

How To Use:

• You can also apply a simple castor oil and lemon juice mixture to your face.
• Squeeze 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice into 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil and stir well.
• Massage this into your face and neck in an upward circular motion for a few minutes.
• Let the oil stay on your skin for as long as you can, overnight if possible. (Cover your pillow – some of the oil will rub off during the night.)
• In the morning, wash your face with lukewarm water and rinse with cool water.
• If you apply this remedy every night, your skin will start to regain elasticity and tighten up.

While the science is still unexplored on the tightening effects of castor oil, applying it to your skin will soften and soothe your skin.

In time, dermatological research might just prove what people have thought for years, that castor oil can indeed tighten the skin.

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Scientific Evidence:

• National Library of Medicine – Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors 
• Clinical Medicine & Research – The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis

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