How To Use Castor Oil To Treat Acne

Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Last Updated on

Acne is such a pain in your you-know-what. Right about when you feel like you’re making progress with it, that you can both finally get along, it decides to drop another huge breakout on you. And like any bad relationship, this one can either get worse or end in a breakup. I’d suggest that you choose the latter. Because, come on, you deserve so much better. I’d go as far as to say – you deserve castor oil. Read on here to know how to use castor oil for acne effectively.

Is Castor Oil Good For Treating Acne?

YES! I know it sounds a little counter-productive – applying oil on acne. But here’s how it helps:

  • Castor oil helps dissolve and remove the dead skin cells, bacteria, excess oil, and dirt that are clogging your pores.
  • Castor oil has excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help prevent breakouts.
  • Excessive oil production is one of the biggest causes of acne. This oil also contains essential fatty acids that help moisturize your skin, keeping it from producing excessive oil.
  • Castor oil is a rich source of ricinoleic acid, which helps fight off acne-causing bacteria.
  • Its high fatty acid content also helps fade blemishes by penetrating the scar tissue and encouraging the growth of healthy tissues.

These benefits can go a long way when it comes to ending your bad relationship with acne. But, wait, there’s more. You can use castor oil in combination with other acne-fighting ingredients to help improve its efficiency. Keep reading to find out how you can use castor oil to treat acne.

How To Use Castor Oil Acne Treatment?

1. Castor Oil For Acne

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Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 tsp castor oil
  • A pot of boiling water
  • Towel

Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

Overnight

Method

  1. Boil a pot of water, and then, place it on a table with the lid on.
  2. Cover your head with a towel. Remove the lid and lean over the pot of water to steam your face. This will help open your pores.
  3. After steaming your face for a couple of minutes, gently rub some castor oil on the affected areas of your face in circular motions.
  4. Go to bed with the castor oil on.
  5. In the morning, rub away the castor oil with a clean, damp towel.
  6. Wash your face with cool water to tighten your pores.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

Castor oil helps fight off acne-causing bacteria while also dissolving all the impurities in your pores. It also helps moisturize your skin, stabilizing excessive oil production. Alternatively, you can use other oils such as coconut, almond, grapeseed, and jojoba as they also help treat dandruff. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the mix will also help boost this treatment’s efficiency.

2. Castor Oil And Olive Oil For Acne

Castor Oil For Acne - Castor Oil And Olive Oil For Acne pinit button
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp castor oil

Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

Overnight

Method

  1. Mix the castor oil and olive oil in a bowl and set it aside.
  2. Boil a pot of water and then place it on a table with the lid on.
  3. Cover your head with a towel. Remove the lid and lean over the pot of water to steam your face. This will help open your pores.
  4. After steaming your face for a couple of minutes, gently rub the olive and castor oil blend on the affected areas of your face in circular motions.
  5. Go to bed with the oil on.
  6. In the morning, rub away the castor and olive oil mixture with a clean, damp towel.
  7. Wash your face with cool water to tighten your pores.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

Olive oil helps minimize the inflammations and redness caused by breakouts. It also has antibacterial properties that help fight off acne. Its rich antioxidant content helps fade acne scars and gives you clear skin.

3. Castor Oil And Zinc For Acne

Castor Oil For Acne - Castor Oil And Zinc For Acne pinit button
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 8 tbsp castor oil
  • 2 tbsp beeswax
  • 1 tbsp zinc oxide
  • 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice
  • Double boiler
  • 1 jar for storage

Prep Time

15 minutes

Treatment Time

Overnight

Method

  1. Melt the beeswax into the castor oil in a double boiler.
  2. Once the wax has melted, remove the double boiler from the stove and mix in the zinc oxide.
  3. Add an essential oil of your choice to the mixture. Preferably one with a fragrance you like. Mix well.
  4. Pour this mixture into a jar for storage.
  5. To use the mixture, simply apply it to the affected areas of your skin as you would an ointment.
  6. Leave it on overnight and wash it off with cool water in the morning.

How Often?

Every day until the problem subsides.

Why This Works

Zinc is another ingredient that efficiently kills acne-causing bacteria. The bacteria will not be able to develop resistance against zinc, and so this treatment will not be rendered effectless after prolonged use. The mineral also helps reduce inflammation and fade acne scars.

4. Castor Oil And Baking Soda For Acne

Castor Oil For Acne - Castor Oil And Baking Soda For Acne pinit button
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp castor oil

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

5-10 minutes

Method

  1. Prepare a paste by mixing the castor oil and baking soda in a bowl.
  2. Cleanse your face and pat it dry.
  3. Apply the mixture to the affected areas of your skin.
  4. Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes and then rinse it off with cool water.

How Often?

Every day until the problem subsides.

Why This Works

Baking soda has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help it calm and soothe acne. It also helps dry out new breakouts. In addition, it helps reduce skin acidity, which discourages breakouts.

5. Castor Oil And Turmeric For Acne

Castor Oil For Acne - Castor Oil And Turmeric For Acne pinit button
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp castor oil

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method

  1. In a bowl, mix the ingredients until they are well combined.
  2. Cleanse your face and pat it dry with a clean towel.
  3. Now, apply the oil-turmeric mixture onto the affected areas of your face.
  4. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse with cool water.

How Often?

Once a day.

Why This Works

Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties that make it an effective treatment for acne. It helps kill the acne-causing bacteria while also healing acne scars.

Now that you know how to use castor oil for acne treatment, what are you waiting for? These castor oil remedies will provide you with just the kind of support you need to make ending your bad relationship with acne a whole lot easier. Have you used any of these castor oil treatments to cure acne? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

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Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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