Why Castor Oil Deserves a Spot in Every Clean Beauty Routine
Date Published: 10/20/2025
From Cleopatra’s rituals to modern lash serums, castor oil has nourished skin and hair for centuries. Explore its clean beauty benefits and how to choose the purest kind.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here. Learn more
Castor oil has been a quiet hero in natural wellness for centuries. From Cleopatra to modern lash serums, it’s a timeless ingredient that’s found in many natural beauty circles. Extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, this thick, golden oil is rich in nutrients that can nourish skin, hair, and supports natural detoxification through gentle self-care rituals.
Castor oil is cold-pressed from castor seeds, often called “beans”. This hardy shrub is native to Africa and India, and its cultivation dates back over 4,000 years. Ancient Egyptians used it as both a skin moisturizer and as lamp fuel, while Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine relies on it for digestive and anti-inflammatory remedies.
The oil’s main active compound, ricinoleic acid, makes up nearly 90% of its fatty acid profile.
According to a 2000 study published in Mediators of Inflammation, ricinoleic acid, the key fatty acid in castor oil, acts as a natural, non-pungent anti-inflammatory agent, helping calm skin and tissue irritation in experimental models. This rare omega-9 fatty acid is responsible for most of castor oil’s hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits .
Despite its thick texture, castor oil is surprisingly low-comedogenic (rated ~1 on the comedogenic scale). “Non-comedogenic” means an ingredient is unlikely to clog pores or trigger breakouts. Oils are ranked 0 to 5, and castor oil's low score means it hydrates while helping balance sebum production, rather than suffocating the skin.
Due to this unique balance, castor oil can nourish eyelashes, brows, and skin without causing congestion. It deeply penetrates hair follicles, improving hardiness and natural shine over time.
How to Incorporate Castor Oil into Your Beauty Ritual
For hair and scalp
Castor oil can stimulate circulation to hair follicles, which can support growth and thickness. It hydrates dry hair ends and reduces breakage.
How to use: Warm 1 tbsp castor oil with 2 tbsp argan oil. Massage gently into the scalp for 5-10 minutes before shampooing.
For lashes and brows
Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, castor oil can nourish follicles and prevent thinning. If used nightly with a clean spoolie or on fingertips.
How to use: dip a clean spoolie in oil and lightly coat lashes and brows before bed. Only the top half of the lash line is needed. It will naturally coat the bottom lashes when you are asleep.
For skin
Castor oil hydrates skin while balancing oil production. It contains anti-inflammatory properties and supports acne prone or irritated skin. It’s a great oil for abdominal massages, and also used on dry elbows, knees, and cuticles. Castor oil is commonly used in belly massages to support lymphatic flow and digestion. In Ayurveda, warm castor oil packs over the liver area are believed to help relieve bloating and menstrual cramps.
How to Use: Blend 1 part castor oil + 2 parts almond or jojoba oil for a luxurious, natural body oil.
Note: Always patch-test and use food-grade oil for internal or therapeutic purposes.
How to Choose a Clean Castor Oil
Look for these labels:
- Cold-pressed: the oil is extracted mechanically at low temperatures, which preserves vitamins and enzymes that are often destroyed by heat extraction.
- Hexane-free: No chemical solvents are used in the extraction process. This ensures that the oil remains food-grade and free from harmful residues.
- Organic: Guarantees purity and sustainable farming
- Amber glass packaging: Protects the oil from light and oxidation
Here are The Good Standard's top picks:
Cliganic Organic Castor Oil
This organic castor oil is cold pressed and hexane free. The 8oz version is great bang for your buck
Kate Blanc Cosmetics Castor Oil
This castor oil comes with a spoolie and a lash brush, ready to help those lashes thrive.
Sustainability Note
Castor plants thrive in dry climates and require minimal irrigation or pesticides, making them a low-impact, renewable crop. Many suppliers source from India and Africa, where fair-trade cooperatives are now working to ensure ethical labor practices throughout the supply chain.
Many castor oil supply chains now integrate fair-trade and cooperative sourcing models. For example, the Pragati Sustainable Castor Initiative supports thousands of small-holder farmers in Gujarat, India, with training, safety kits and health monitoring, helping to ensure fair income and improved working conditions.
In conclusion
Whether you’re nourishing lashes, soothing menstrual cramps, or hydrating dry skin, castor oil is proof that the simplest ingredients can have the most powerful results. In a world filled with over-complicated beauty formulas, this golden oil reminds us that simple and clean can be the most powerful.
A quick summary about how castor oil can benefit your body
Sources
Tags: non-toxic, clean, skincare, health
Canonical: https://www.thegoodstandard.org/blog/why-castor-oil-deserves-a-spot-in-every-clean-beauty-routine