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Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil. It comes from the pressed beans of the castor oil plant and is used in many cosmetic and skin care products. Some claim its properties are also useful for reducing facial wrinkles.
While castor oil has many properties that may help reduce wrinkles, there’s no direct evidence yet that proves this claim. However, studies have shown that castor oil is an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory — both of which help fight free radicals and may slow the aging process.
Castor oil contains fatty acids that have moisturizing, skin health-enhancing, and antioxidant properties. These fatty acids may also help minimize wrinkles.
Castor oil also has emollient properties known to help improve your skin’s texture and healthy appearance.
To use castor oil for wrinkles, you’ll need to purchase a pure castor oil product, preferably from organically-grown castor oil plants. Finding oil in a dropper bottle can make application easier. Castor oil in stick form (ChapSticks) or balms are great for use around the lips and mouth.
Shop for castor oil.
Some oils also come pre-diluted with other plant oils, often called carrier oils, for enhanced absorption. You can dilute castor oil on your own at a 1:1 ratio (1-part castor oil to 1-part other oil).
Olive, grapeseed, and avocado oils are good dilution recommendations. Check out this article for more information on how to use carrier oils.
Shop for carrier oils for your face.
Castor oil can be safely used around and near your eyes. Many people report it helps minimize and reduce wrinkles in the eye area.
Under eyes
- Step 1: In the morning, cleanse facial skin and dry off any moisture.
- Step 2: Place one drop of castor oil onto the tip of your finger. Apply it to the skin under your eyes and especially on wrinkle-prone areas. Avoid getting oil in your eyes. You can also apply the oil to other facial areas such as the skin near the outer corners of your eyes, the bridge of your nose, and near and between your eyes.
- Step 3: Leave on your skin for about 20 minutes, the time it takes for castor oil to absorb into your skin.
- Step 4: Afterward, gently wash the areas where you’ve applied the oil. Apply products such as moisturizers, makeup, cover creams, and others as usual.
- Repeat these steps each evening as well. For long-lasting benefits, Incorporate these steps into your routine daily.
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If you want to improve the appearance of smile lines and wrinkles in the area around your mouth and lips, castor oil may be what you’ve been looking for.
Around mouth
- Step 1: In the morning, cleanse your lips and the skin around your mouth and dry well.
- Step 2: Place one drop of castor oil onto the tip of your finger. Apply it to the skin around your mouth, especially in wrinkle-prone areas. If you have a castor oil-containing lip balm, you can apply that, too. Though, pure castor oil may be more effective.
- Step 3: Leave on skin for about 20 minutes, the time it takes for castor oil to absorb into your skin. Avoid drinking and eating in the meantime.
- Step 4: Afterward, wash your lips and the skin around your mouth. Apply moisturizers, makeup, and other products as usual.
- Repeat these steps each evening. For more impact, incorporate these steps into your routine daily.
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Castor oil has been reported to smooth forehead creases and help plump the skin, reducing worry lines and wrinkles.
Forehead
- Step 1: In the morning, cleanse forehead skin and dry well.
- Step 2: Place one drop of castor oil onto the tip of your finger. Apply to the skin on your forehead, especially close to and around the eyebrows.
- Step 3: Leave on skin for about 20 minutes, the time it takes for castor oil to absorb into your skin.
- Step 4: Afterward, wash your face and forehead. Apply products like makeup, creams, and others as usual.
- Repeat these steps each evening. For more impact, incorporate these steps into your routine daily.
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Castor oil may help tighten sagging skin under the chin or near the neck, though no studies thus far have conclusively shown this.
Chin and neckline
- Step 1: In the morning, cleanse face, chin, and neck. Gently pat dry to remove moisture.
- Step 2: Place one drop of castor oil onto the tip of your finger. Apply to the skin under your chin and along your neckline. Apply another drop to your fingertip and reapply for more adequate and even coverage, as needed.
- Step 3: Leave on skin for 20 minutes, the time it takes for castor oil to absorb into your skin.
- Step 4: Afterward, wash skin. Apply products like moisturizers, makeup, and others as usual.
- Repeat these steps each evening. Incorporate these steps into your routine daily for at least two months for significant benefit.
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Castor oil is a well-known cosmetic ingredient beyond its use for wrinkles. Its inclusion in many other skin care products is no coincidence.
Other benefits castor oil may have for health and appearance include:
- anti-inflammatory benefits
- antioxidant supplement
- acne treatment
- laxative
- stimulating hair growth
- skin moisturizer
- thickening eyelashes
Using castor oil topically is considered safe. However, skin reactions and allergies can occur.
Symptoms include:
- itching
- redness
- pain
- swelling
- rashes
Before using castor oil for wrinkles, try a skin patch test with the oil to make sure you aren’t allergic.
If you experience these symptoms while using castor oil for reducing wrinkles (or other skin care practices), discontinue use immediately. Seek medical attention or first aid for any skin reaction.
Castor oil for skin care has been used for thousands of years, and it’s here to stay.
Antioxidant, fatty acid, and moisturizing properties make it a desirable ingredient for pampering skin. These properties may also help keep wrinkles at bay.
Keep in mind studies haven’t proven this yet. Claims that castor oil prevents wrinkles are only anecdotal, and more studies are needed before calling it a wrinkle remover.
Applying it to wrinkle-prone skin around eyes, forehead, neck, chin, or mouth most likely improves skin health.
Be sure to test yourself for allergies before using castor oil, and discontinue use if you have any allergic or skin reactions.
