Have you ever heard of an oil that can reduce acne and inflammation instead of aggregating the condition? Well, castor oil can do it. It can cleanse the skin amazingly by taking all dirt, dust, extra sebum, dead cells, bacteria, etc., out of it, which stops the clogging of pores and the formation of acne. (1) (2)
How do you use castor oil for treating acne?
Your acne will vanish entirely as quickly as within six weeks if treated with castor oil correctly. But how should it be used for this purpose? Let us tell you how to use castor oil to reduce acne-causing sebum production and inflammation and moisturize the acne-prone skin.
Steam Method/Regular Method
The steam method is the most common and popular method of using castor oil for treatment. It is straightforward and, as the name suggests, involves treating the acne-affected areas of the skin with steaming water. Here are the steps:
- Take enough water in a large saucepan and place it over heat. Please bring it to a boil as you treat your face with steaming hot water in the subsequent stages.
- Meanwhile, get a large, clean towel. Also, keep two unsoiled washcloths handy.
- Once the water starts boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Now, lean over the steaming hot water of the saucepan and cover your entire head with the towel. This technique will create a ‘makeshift tent’ for concentrating the steam on the facial skin, which is essential for opening the pores up and allowing the castor oil to penetrate the skin’s surface.
- Once your skin is ready for the castor oil treatment, dampen one washcloth with tepid water and pour some oil onto it. Remember, only a dime-sized amount will do.
- Now, start rubbing the oil into your facial skin, focusing on the acne-sensitive areas. Follow a small circular motion for the massage and be as gentle as possible. Otherwise, your skin might get damaged.
- Let the oil sit so your skin can make the most of it. It is recommended that you keep it on your skin overnight. But if it is impossible, wait 1-2 hours.
- In the morning, moisten another washcloth with tepid water and wipe the excess oil away from your skin. Again, be very gentle while working on your acne-prone, sensitive skin.
- Wash off your face with fresh, cold water so the open pores close and your skin returns to normal.
- Pat your face dry with a clean, dry towel.
- Finally, moisturize your clean face with a few drops of castor oil.
Follow this castor oil acne treatment at least twice every week to get the best possible result.
Deep Cleansing Method
Deep cleansing has immense positive effects on our skin, and castor oil is highly effective for acne treatment. It helps the oil go deep into the skin and moisturize it to the optimum level, eventually resulting in acne-free skin. Check out the steps below:
- Being quite thick, castor oil should be diluted with another oil of relatively thinner consistency for the deep cleansing method. So, prepare the perfect oil blend that will suit your skin type and give you the best outcomes. Both extra virgin coconut oil and sunflower seed oil will facilitate the skin penetration of castor oil. However, sunflower seed oil is used in most of the cases. The proper ratio of castor oil to sunflower seed oil should be 3:7 for oily skin, 1:9 for dry skin, and 2:8 for normal or combination skin.
- Prepare a running hot water source, and keep a clean washcloth handy.
- Pour a generous amount of oil blend onto your palm. Rub it between your palms for a few minutes to warm the mixture.
- Now, massage the warm oil blend into your skin by moving your palms across your facial skin. Make sure that you do not rub your skin vigorously. Instead, be slow and firm while focusing on the acne-affected parts.
- Continue the massage for 5 to 7 minutes until all your skin pores get saturated with the oil blend.
- Now, hold the washcloth under running hot water and moisten it properly.
- Spread the wet washcloth over your face, press it against your skin with your fingers, and let it sit until the warmth disappears.
- Once the washcloth cools down completely, wipe your face to remove excess oil.
- Again, rinse the washcloth in hot water and follow the previous two steps.
- Repeat steps 6 to 9 thrice, and wipe your face thoroughly with the washcloth.
Summary
Castor oil, known for its acne-fighting prowess, offers a simple yet effective remedy. Utilize the steam method by treating your face to steam, opening up pores. Gently massage a dime-sized amount of castor oil into acne-prone areas, letting it work overnight for optimal results. Alternatively, the deep cleansing method involves diluting castor oil with a thinner oil and massaging it into the skin, then wiping excess oil with a moistened washcloth. Repeat twice weekly for clear, moisturized skin.