Castor oil is one of the oldest-known wrinkle treatments. Egyptian pharaohs used the oil in skin cream and hair preparations, according to the book “For Appearance’ Sake: The Historical Encyclopedia of Good Looks, Beauty, and Grooming.” The emollient properties of castor oil, as well as its ability to quickly absorb into the skin, make it a popular ingredient in modern commercial skin creams. Castor oil is inexpensive, making it a cost-effective home treatment for under-eye wrinkles. Cheap, effective and easy to use—castor oil may just become your new favorite weapon against wrinkles.
Clean your face with your normal face cleanser. Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Sweep a cotton ball or cosmetic sponge saturated with toner over your facial skin to remove cleanser residue that remains after washing your face. Use your normal toner, witch hazel or rose water. Allow the toner to dry on your skin.
Pour a drop of castor oil into the palm of your hand. Dab your pinkie finger in the castor oil and gently pat your pinkie along the areas under your eyes, starting from the outer areas beside your eyes on your laugh lines and working your way to the inner area of your eyes by your nose. The castor oil absorbs into your skin within five to 20 minutes, depending on your particular skin type.
Follow your normal daily routine of applying sunscreen and makeup, if desired. An added benefit of wearing castor oil under your makeup is that it helps to protect your skin from the effects of pollution, while it moisturizes your delicate under-eye skin. A study conducted by the University of Lagos, published in the "European Journal of Scientific Research," concluded that applied topically, castor oil acts as a “preventive therapy for skin oxidative stress.”
Reapply the castor oil to your under-eye area at night, after cleansing your face, for extra moisturizing benefits, if needed.
Tip
Castor oil is sold over the counter at pharmacies next to the laxatives.
Castor oil is suitable for use over the entire face and as a moisturizer for dry patches of skin on the body.
References
- "For Appearance' Sake: The Historical Encyclopedia of Good Looks, Beauty, and Grooming;" Victoria Sherrow; 2001
- "European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 10, No. 3;" Control of Oxidative Stress with Natural Products: The Potential of Nigerian Traditional Emollients; Odukoya, OA, Jenkins, OM, Ilori, OO, Sofidiya, OM; 2005
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Plants Profile: Ricinus communis L.
Writer Bio
Rose Kivi has been a writer for more than 10 years. She has a background in the nursing field, wildlife rehabilitation and habitat conservation. Kivi has authored educational textbooks, patient health care pamphlets, animal husbandry guides, outdoor survival manuals and was a contributing writer for two books in the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Series.