Castor Oil

Castor oil is a vegetable oil made by pressing the seeds of the ricinus communis plant. It's a colorless, thick liquid, with a slight nutty smell. It's used by many as a liquid laxative but it does wonders for the skin and hair. If you click on the What Are Cosmetics tab at the top, you can read about how castor oil saved my eyelashes. It's a miracle in a bottle.

Promotes hair growth - castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid and omega-9 fatty acid. When the oil is applied to the scalp, these acids penetrate the hair follicles. They provide nourishment allowing the follicles to restore growth. Since the oil is thick and a bit sticky, warm it up in the microwave. Apply directly to the scalp and massage in with your fingertips. Leave on for 20 minutes and shampoo out. I shampoo 2-3 times after I use it to make sure it's all out. You can do this a few times per week. You will notice your hair is silkier and shinier right away. After a few weeks, you will notice hair growth. You can also use it on your eyebrows and eyelashes. Just take a q-tip, dip it in the castor oil, and apply to your eyebrow or eyelash line. You can also buy mascara wands to apply the oil directly to your lashes. Do this before bed and leave the oil on overnight. Wash face as normal in the morning. Castor oil will help eyebrows and eyelashes grow thicker and fuller.

Skin Moisturizer - castor oil is an excellent facial moisturizer. It penetrates deep into the skin tissue and nourishes it with the fatty acids. Apply the oil at night as a nighttime moisturizer. Wash face as normal and don't dry it. Immediately apply the castor oil while face is still wet. The castor oil is thick, and a little sticky, so the water allows you to rub it in easier. One applied, your skin absorbs castor oil very quickly so you aren't least with any oily feeling. Your face will feel super soft in the morning.

Reduces Acne - castor oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it great for treating acne. The rincinoleic acid fights off acne-causing bacteria. Take a q-tip and apply the oil directly to the acne as a spot treatment.

Anti-Aging - castor oil stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. This hydrates the skin and delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Castor oil is a great treatment for crows feet around the eye.