Why Castor Oil

Did you know castor oil is a versatile, natural product that has been valued for its many benefits, especially in skincare, hair products, and health? I have enjoyed using castor oil every night, and I’m here to say I think I have found the best one out there!  But first, let’s talk about what castor oil is, the benefits, and best ways to use pure castor oil! 

Where Did Castor Oil Originate?

Castor oil comes from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), which is native to Africa and India. The beans of the castor plant have been cultivated for thousands of years in these regions for its oil and medicinal properties. There have been many uses for castor oil over the years, and its time-tested reputation has given way to it’s regular use in the health world even to this day. 

• Historical Use: The use of castor oil dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was used for its moisturizing and healing properties. It was also used as a lamp oil due to its ability to burn brightly and steadily. Ancient Egyptians, as well as those in India and Africa, recognized its versatility and healing benefits.
• Global Spread: Over the centuries, the cultivation of the castor plant spread across the globe. It’s now grown in many tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Asia, South America, and even the southern United States. Despite its broad geographical distribution, the largest producers of castor oil today are India and Brazil.
• Cultural Significance: In traditional medicine, especially in India, castor oil has been used for a variety of health and beauty purposes because of its essential nutrients, from skin care and hair care to digestive health. Its versatility made it a staple in many cultures’ wellness regimens.

Castor oil’s origins lie in ancient Egypt, where it was used for both medicinal and practical purposes. It is valued worldwide for its numerous benefits, especially in skincare, personal care products, haircare, and overall health, due to its nourishing and healing properties in each of the drops of castor oil we have available to us! Amazing how these natural properties are still healing today!

When Do I use Castor Oil?

So why are people using castor oil both topically and the internal use of castor oil? Here are some reasons I found why people, myself included, use castor oil:

• Natural Moisturizer: Castor oil is a great natural moisturizer because it’s rich in fatty acids, particularly ricinoleic acid. This helps to lock in moisture and prevent dryness, making it an excellent option for dry skin, hair, and even for dry lips!
• Promotes Healing: Did you know that castor oil has healing properties that can accelerate the healing process for wounds, cuts, or minor burns?  Amazing, right? It can also help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks by promoting collagen production and improving skin elasticity. 
• Reduces Inflammation: Th anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil help soothe irritated skin, reduce swelling, and calm conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or even acne.
• Fights Acne: Castor oil can be beneficial for acne-prone skin. Its antimicrobial properties help fight off bacteria that contribute to breakouts, while its ability to balance the skin’s natural oils helps prevent clogged pores.  Its natural properties have also been used as ringworm treatment. 
• Strengthens Hair and Promotes Growth: Castor oil is often used in haircare to strengthen the hair follicles and promote growth. It’s also known for improving scalp health by reducing dandruff and dryness.
• Anti-Aging: The antioxidants in castor oil, like vitamin E, can help protect the skin from environmental damage, fighting free radicals that cause premature aging.  Social media users love castor oil for this reason.  
• Nourishes Eyebrows & Lashes: It’s widely used to nourish and stimulate eyebrow and eyelash growth, eyebrow thickener, and added strength when applied regularly.
• Digestive Health: Castor oil has been traditionally, you probably heard your grandma talk about it, used as a natural laxative to help relieve constipation by stimulating the muscles in the intestines. However, it should be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional for safe consumption.  It has been known to help soothe abdominal cramps, and bring muscle relief.

Benefits of Castor Oil in Specifically Skincare:

As stated before castor oil has been used for centuries, especially in skincare routines, due to its unique properties. I love these benefits!

1. Moisturizes the Skin: Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps to lock moisture into the skin. It’s great for those with dry or flaky skin, as it creates a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss.
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties: The ricinoleic acid in castor oil also has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help soothe irritated or inflamed skin. It’s particularly useful for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and sunburn.
3. Promotes Healing: Castor oil is known to promote faster healing of wounds and cuts. It encourages the production of collagen, which helps the skin repair itself. This makes it beneficial for those with scars, stretch marks, or acne scars.
4. Antimicrobial and Antifungal: Castor oil has natural antimicrobial properties, making it effective at preventing bacterial growth and reducing the likelihood of infections in damaged or inflamed skin.
5. Fights Acne: Castor oil can help balance the skin’s natural oils, which can reduce the likelihood of clogged pores and acne breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce swelling and redness associated with acne.
6. Anti-aging Effects: The antioxidants in castor oil, such as vitamin E, help fight free radicals that can accelerate the aging process. This can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Hydrates Hair and Scalp: While this is more about haircare, castor oil also has benefits for the scalp, helping to moisturize and strengthen hair follicles as well as give you shinier hair. It can reduce dandruff and promote hair growth by improving blood circulation and blood flow to the scalp.  I love using it with my scalp brush too!

Beautifully Balanced Wellness 

So, are you ready to hear about the bottle of castor oil I use, now?!  I am so glad you’re still reading because I have been so impressed by this company over the years.  Beautifully Balanced Wellness is a company that focuses on wellness products designed to promote a holistic lifestyle, with an emphasis on skin and hair health. They incorporate natural ingredients into their offerings, and I have found that their castor oil is no exception. Here’s a closer look at their top-quality castor oil.

• Pure & Cold-Pressed: Beautifully Balanced Wellness prides itself on offering pure, cold-pressed oil, which means the oil is extracted from castor beans without the use of heat. This extraction process preserves the integrity of the oil, ensuring it retains all of its beneficial properties, including the antioxidants and fatty acids that are vital for skincare.
• Organic: The company sources organic castor beans that are grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. You know this makes me so happy!  Their castor oil is a safe and sustainable choice for people like me who are concerned about the environmental impact and our skin’s exposure to harmful substances.
• Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Beautifully Balanced Wellness ensures that all their products, including their best picks, including the castor oil, are cruelty-free and vegan, aligning with a growing demand for ethical and cruelty-free beauty products. This makes it a great choice for conscious consumers.
• Multi-Use Product: Beautifully Balanced Wellness’s castor oil is designed to be versatile, working not only on the skin but also on hair and nails.  This has been so true for me!  It’s commonly used for hydrating the skin, treating dry patches, nourishing hair and promoting growth, and even for use in the treatment of eyebrows and lashes.  It’s an all in one beauty must have!
• Packaging: I love that Beautifully Balanced uses environmentally friendly packaging for their castor oil, typically in dark glass bottles. This helps protect the oil from light, which scientific evidence has shown can degrade its quality, and ensures a longer shelf life. The company is also committed to reducing its environmental footprint, using recyclable materials whenever possible.
• Customer-Centric: Beautifully Balanced Wellness places a strong focus on customer satisfaction, offering clear instructions on how to incorporate their castor oil into daily routines. They emphasize the purity of their products and encourage users to embrace a balanced wellness lifestyle through the use of their natural offerings.
• Results-Oriented: I love that Beautifully Balanced Wellness’s castor oil has given me noticeable effects, particularly in terms of skin hydration and hair health. I can report softer, more hydrated skin, reduced acne, and stronger hair when I’m using this product consistently.

How to Incorporate Beautifully Balanced Wellness Castor Oil into Your Routine

• For Skin: Apply a few drops to your face or body and gently massage in, especially on dry or rough patches. For extra hydration, use it overnight, as a nighttime moisturizer.
• For Hair: Massage a small amount into your scalp to help promote hair growth and moisture. You can also apply it to the ends of your hair to reduce split ends and frizz.
• For Eyebrows & Lashes: Apply castor oil using a clean mascara wand or cotton swab to the brows and lashes before bed. This can help stimulate growth and make them thicker over time. Such a great natural way to attain growth!

Beautifully Balanced Wellness’s castor oil is a pure, organic, and ethically sourced product that offers a multitude of skincare benefits. After enough research, this company is one I can trust, and also one where I feel like I get the best bang for my buck when it comes to purchasing my castor oil.  You can always shop HERE and use the code BRIT15 for a discount!  I have loved incorporating castor oil into my every day routine.  It is a versatile and effective addition to any wellness routine.  I hope you can give it a try!  Let me know what you think, and where you are finding yourself using this beloved oil the most throughout your day!