Castor oil may be famously associated with hair growth, but that's not why we formulate with it here at Youthforia. You see, there are also several benefits of castor oil for skin, too. They're simply not talked about as much. On top of that, the rich emollient oil adds an otherworldly shine to our Dewy Glosses and allows us to formulate without fossil fuels, which is really important to us as a brand. Why? Because less fossil fuels equals less carbon pollution, which means a happier planet. 

Today though, we're breaking down some of the specific ways castor oil can boost your complexion, with expert insight from a board-certified dermatologist. Let's dive right in, shall we? Keep scrolling to find out why you should consider adding castor oil to your skincare arsenal.   

6 castor oil uses for skin

"Castor oil is rich in fatty acids, including ricinoleic acid, making it useful as a moisturizer for the skin," says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. "It acts as a humectant, helping to draw moisture into the skin and is an especially good option for those with dry skin types because it can be soothing and moisturizing at the same time."

Garshick points out that castor oil also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which is why it can be great for calming irritated skin. With that said, if you get your hands on some organic, cold-pressed castor oil, here are a few different ways you can use it:

• To smooth and hydrate flaky skin
• To thicken the consistency of your moisturizer for added hydration
• Worn on top of your serum and moisturizer to lock everything in
• As a spot treatment for dry patches
• To minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• To soothe inflammation from acne

 Why add castor oil to our formulas?

Well, the reason is simple. Castor oil is not only beneficial for the skin, but it's better for the environment, too. While many lip glosses are made with polyisobutene, we choose to formulate with castor oil instead because it's a renewable ingredient — not a fossil fuel. "Because lip gloss is something we accidentally swallow, it was important for me to consider the main ingredients in our Dewy Glosses, and it's ultimately the reason why we decided to make them with castor oil," explains founder and CEO, Fiona Co Chan.

When it comes down to it, castor oil offers the same covetable shine that we all want in a lip gloss — and it's better for our skin and the Earth. Need we say more? 

 

 Shop Dewy Gloss now for $28.