Best Organic Castor Oil (Products Listed Below)
Image | Product Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1. Sky Organics - Organic Castor Oil | Our Favorite | Amazon |
![]() | 2. Pura d’Or Professional - Castor Oil | Great Deal | Amazon |
![]() | 3. Eve Hansen - Organic Pure Natural Castor Oil | Amazing Product | Amazon |
Organic castor oil is one of those must-have products because of its affordability despite its versatility. In 2012, a group of researchers from Pakistan’s COMSATS Institute of Information Technology released the results of their study about the castor bean’s antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Apparently, the castor bean’s antioxidant and free-radical scavenging abilities rival that of synthetic antioxidants. That’s why it offers a host of health and beauty benefits, especially when applied topically on the skin.
Apart from providing intensive moisturization, castor oil helps soothe irritated or itchy skin, fight acne, cure fungal infections, lighten scars, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But to gain any of those benefits, you need to know how to use it properly and how to identify high-quality products. Then, consider some of the most popular and top-rated organic castor oils in the market today.
Top Uses of Castor Oil for the Skin
- For moisture. Apply castor oil all over the face. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight, if possible. Then, wash off with warm water.
- For cleansing. Castor oil can remove excess oils, makeup residue, and dirt. Apply it over your face and massage in circular motions for approximately 2 minutes. Then, wipe it off with a warm washcloth.
- For acne. Applying oil on acne might seem counterproductive, but castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the redness and swelling caused by pimples. It also has anti-microbial effects, which help treat breakouts. For this purpose, use it as a spot treatment.
- For fungus. Though research on castor oil’s antifungal properties has mostly been related to dental care, it has long been used as a home remedy for a variety of fungal infections. Simply apply it daily onto the affected area and its surrounding skin until the signs of fungus disappear.
- For itching. Castor oil soothes the skin and relieves it from itching because of its anti-inflammatory effects and also because it addresses dryness. It also offers relief from pain and itching from insect bites.
- For chapped lips. Castor oil is a common ingredient in commercial lip balms and can be used on its own for windburned, chapped, or dry lips.
- For sunburn. It’s anti-inflammatory effects and soothing properties also make it an excellent healing balm for sunburn.
- For scar lightening. Apply castor oil liberally and religiously over your scar, and you’ll notice that it lightens over time. It also helps to apply it after a hot shower, and following a gentle exfoliation routine.
- For eye bags. Castor oil is perfect for reducing puffiness and providing intense moisture. So, applying it under your eyes will help reverse eye bags and possibly even dark circles.
- For anti-aging. Thanks to its deep moisturization, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties, it is commonly used to reverse the signs of skin aging.
Types of Castor Oil
All castor oil is extracted from castor beans. But, the differences in cultivars, climate, and extraction methods have led to a variety of types. All of which offer their own unique benefits. Generally, all castor oil can be categorized into four different types:
1) Jamaican Black Castor Oil
As its name suggests, this was a method of extraction made popular in Jamaica. Castor beans are roasted prior to extraction, giving it its distinctly darker appearance. This process leads to higher pH levels and, therefore, better purifying effects.
2) Hydrogenated Castor Oil
The addition of hydrogen to castor oil leads to a more solid version of the oil. In cosmetics, this is commonly used as a thickener. However, this is most frequently used for non-cosmetic commercial products like crayons and candles.
3) Chemical Extracted Castor Oil
The fastest and most inexpensive way to extract oil from castor beans is through solvents like hexane and heptane. However, chemical impurities lead to a lower-quality product. For cosmetic applications and for internal use, it’s best to avoid this type.
4) Cold Pressed Castor Oil
Cold pressing, or extraction without the use of heat, results in a usable oil that’s closest to its natural state. As such, it is most potent when it comes to healing and soothing. These are available in refined and unrefined versions.
How to Choose the Best Castor Oil
Finding a high-quality castor oil mainly involves taking the time to scrutinize the labels. For skin applications, make sure you go for cold-pressed variants to gain the most benefits. Additionally, use only products that are certified organic. Non-organic castor oil may have traces of harsh chemicals used for cultivation. Lastly, try to select an unrefined castor oil. This might be tricky because not all labels state whether or not the contents are refined, but if you find one that explicitly states it is unrefined, that might be a good choice.
Best Organic Castor Oil Brands
Here are some of the best-rated organic castor oils that should give you maximum benefits and excellent value for money:
1) Sky Organics – Organic Castor Oil
The castor oil by Sky Organics is certified organic by the USDA. According to Sky Organics, their oil is sourced directly from Kerala, India, and is cultivated only by artisanal farmers with serious adherence to organic practices. It is also cold-pressed and unrefined. This product is specifically meant to moisturize the skin and hair as well as thicken eyelashes. As such, it is completely chemical-free with no additives.
2) Pura d’Or Professional – Castor Oil
The castor oil by Pura d’Or Professional comes in an amber glass bottle with a dropper for convenient application. But, each purchase also comes with two other bottles: one with a mascara wand and another with a narrow brush. You can use these in case you want to use the oil for thickening your eyebrows and eyelashes. This product is USDA-Certified Organic. Plus, it is cold-pressed and unrefined.
3) Eve Hansen – Organic Pure Natural Castor Oil
The castor oil by Eve Hansen bears the USDA Organic certification logo. It comes in a glass bottle with a convenient dropper cap. But, it also comes with a separate brush and mascara wand for easy brow and lash application. Although it doesn’t specifically state that it is unrefined, this product is cold-pressed in the United States, and GC-MS tested in small batches.
4) Kate Blanc Cosmetics – Organic Castor Oil
The castor oil by Kate Blanc Cosmetics is USDA Certified Organic. It is also cold-pressed and unrefined. The oil is imported from India and bottled in California, at a facility the adheres to strict manufacturing standards. Its bottle comes with a disc-top cap for easy dispensing, especially when applying to large areas of the skin.
5) Home Health – Certified Organic Castor Oil
Home Health has two variants of castor oil, and it’s essential to choose the one that bears the USDA Organic logo. The Home Health Certified Organic Castor Oil is made from non-GMO castor beans processed through cold-pressing. Although it doesn’t explicitly state that it is unrefined, it is definitely hexane-free, solvent-free, and vegan-friendly.
Castor oil is generally regarded as a health and beauty staple because it is inexpensive yet offers innumerable benefits, especially to skin health. But, like with any other beauty product, you need to find high-quality variants to gain the most benefits. You may even be able to use the same product for other applications like thickening your brows or lashes. Armed with this guide, you’ll hopefully find the right castor oil product for your specific needs.