Castor oil has been used in various skin care and hair care applications for centuries. Interestingly, it is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly in online communities like TikTok, amassing over a billion views. In truth, the fresh attention on castor oil is understandable as more people gravitate towards fresh oils and natural skin care products. Such interests make common ingredients more appealing.

When it comes to online skincare opinions, there is no shortage of bold claims, but just how accurate is the hype around castor oil? We provide what you need to know about castor oil, highlighting some unique characteristics, benefits, and potential side effects on the skin.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a thick, viscous liquid derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, which is native to the Mediterranean and tropical areas of Africa and Asia. Historically, castor oil has been used in several applications, most notably as an effective laxative and inducing labor. But today, it’s better known as an active ingredient in cosmetic products.

While the evidence is less conclusive, castor oil has shown some potential benefits for the skin. In its pure form, castor oil serves as a single-ingredient product, a significant aspect that massively appeals to a growing number of customers seeking “100% natural” skincare routines.

Unique Characteristics of Castor Oil

Castor oil stands out among other oils commonly used in skincare due to its unique composition and beneficial properties. This is evident in the current interest surrounding the ingredient. 

let’s discuss some of these characteristics in detail.

Photochemical and fatty acid composition

Tests have shown castor oil is rich in several fatty acids and phytochemicals, each contributing to its extensive application over the years. The most unique characteristic of castor oil is its high concentration of ricinoleic acid and its fatty acid composition, which includes oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid.

Ricinoleic acid, in particular, forms between 85-95% of castor oil’s fatty acid composition, making it one of the few natural oils with such high quantities in nature. But what makes this composition unique?

Well, the chemical structure of ricinoleic acid resembles that of a hydroxyl functional group, which is well known for contributing to various beneficial properties to the skin, including moisturization, exfoliation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, the structural similarity with the hydroxyl group makes it more polar than most fats, making it interact better with other substances and increasing its presence in a wide variety of beauty products.

Beyond fatty acids, castor oil contains essential phytochemicals that contribute to its skin-enhancing abilities. For instance, phytosterols, a popular photochemical, have been proven effective in maintaining skin elasticity and reducing aging by promoting collagen.

The unique composition of castor oil makes it stand out among most natural oils in delivering healthy skin. From its phytochemicals to ricinoleic acid and other fatty acids, castor oil theoretically utilizes nature in its purest form. Some other characteristics of castor oil include:

• Nature

Castor oil is a thick, viscous, translucent liquid with a yellow tint, which makes it perfect for moisturizing. Typically, it's effective in softening and smoothening the skin as with every other emollient; however, the thick consistency can help to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), thereby helping the skin remain hydrated.

• Antimicrobial, Antifungal and Antibacterial

There are also suggestions that castor oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, which makes it practical for addressing various skincare problems. However, there are no studies on castor oil and its effectiveness in addressing these skin issues.

• Antioxidant Composition

Another significant characteristic of castor oil is its ability to synthesize and form vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. This antioxidant composition helps reduce the oxidation of lipids in the skin and slows down sebum production, particularly in people dealing with acne.

Benefits of Castor Oil to the Skin

Most of the TikTok craze on castor oil has focused on its pro-aging benefits; however, this active ingredient also provides other beneficial properties that make it excellent for your skin.

• Acne

Castor oil has the potential to address acne due to its unique properties. First, the anti-inflammatory property of ricinoleic acid makes it effective in calming acne lesions and alleviating the symptoms associated with acne. Furthermore, its antimicrobial property could also help combat bacteria responsible for acne breakouts.

• Improve Texture

The high quantity of ricinoleic acid emphasizes castor oil's emollient properties, which help impart a smoother and more refined appearance to the skin’s surface.

• Moisturizing and Hydrating

Castor oil, a triglyceride, is an effective emollient for the skin and helps to facilitate hydration and moisture retention. Generally, triglycerides are known to help the skin stay hydrated, happy, and oh-so-healthy. This attribute makes castor oil particularly beneficial for people needing extra moisture in their skin. It also doubles as a humectant, drawing water from the air to hydrate the skin.

• Consistent Complexion

Castor oil’s fatty acid composition synergistically promotes optimal skin health by nourishing and fortifying its natural barrier. This process improves skin resilience and maintains a perfect balance, resulting in a more consistent and even skin tone.

• Skin Protection

Castor oil’s antioxidant properties play a significant role in shielding the skin against the effects of environmental stressors like UV radiation, pollution, and free radicals. Castor oil helps to neutralize these harmful agents, thereby protecting the skin’s health and vitality.

• Potential Side Effects

As with every skincare product, both natural and formulated, there are side effects of castor oil. The first and most prevalent is the possibility of allergic contact dermatitis. While most dermatologists suggest that castor oil is generally tolerated well, it could also cause an allergic reaction. As such, you should look for rare but possible allergic signs like redness, itchiness, flakiness, rashes, or peeling.

The thick texture of castor oil makes it quite difficult and dangerous to apply pure on the face, particularly for oily and breakout-prone skin. There is a risk that it could clog the pores and worsen breakouts. If you’re acne-prone, it will be best to consult an expert to help you decide how to use castor oil for your skin.

How to Use Castor Oil

Due to the risk of clogging pores and worsening breakouts, using a skincare product made with castor oil and other active ingredients is preferable to ensure your skin can reap all the benefits of this oil without any potential side effects. BeeNaturals features castor oil-formulated skin care products that you can explore, from the Ultra-Rich Pure Body Shampoo Bar to the Ultra-Rich Lavender Body Shampoo Bar and the

But if you must apply it naturally, diluting it with a lightweight emollient like almond coconut or olive oil might be best. This will help provide a thinner consistency and reduce the possibility of breakout. Furthermore, always opt for fresh oil and store it in a cool, dry environment.

Ultimately, castor oil does a brilliant job of improving the skin, particularly for its moisturizing properties. Still, there is limited evidence backing up all of its recent online raves. You should also consider the side effects before including castor oil in your skincare routine.