Although castor oil is well-known for its diuretic affects, it can also act as a skin cleanser and treatment for acne and signs of aging. To use castor oil for cleansing, determine how much you should apply based on your skin type and prepare your own custom blend of this oil and one or more additional oils. Then, work the product into your skin and use warm water or steam to open your pores. After you feel that your face is sufficiently clean, you can gently rinse the oil off. You can also use plain castor oil for skin issues like acne and anti-aging purposes.
The most popular use of castor oil for skin is often referred to as the oil cleansing method, which utilizes a personalized blend of this oil and others to deep-clean the face. To start, choose a hydrating, non-comedogenic oil, such as sunflower, grapeseed, or olive oil to cut the castor oil, as it can be too harsh when used alone. Then, determine how much castor oil you think you should use. In most cases, it is best to start out with less, especially if you have dry skin. For those with oily skin, you can use up to 30% castor oil to 70% other oils.
Mix your blend in a bottle with a squeeze tube or a shallow bowl, and then apply a moderate amount to your entire face, using your fingertips to work it in thoroughly. At this point, you can lay a warm, wet cloth over your face to open your pores or use a facial steaming device for a few minutes — this helps the castor oil to dissolve the build-up in your skin completely. When using castor oil for skin cleansing, you do not have to wash it off with another cleanser, but, rather, wet a soft cloth with warm water and gently wipe the oil from your face. You may have to rinse and re-wet the cloth several times to remove the oil completely.
You can also use castor oil for skin issues such as acne or wrinkles. As this substance has a drying, purifying effect, it can potentially treat acne breakouts that are the result of clogged pores. Simply hold a warm, wet cloth to the affected area and then apply a small amount of straight castor oil. You can apply the oil in the same way to areas of your face where you are or expect to have wrinkles, although it is best to avoid areas close to the eyes. For both of these methods of using castor oil for skin problems, it is usually best to apply the oil at night and then wash it off the next morning.