Last September at doTERRA's Convention, dōTERRA had all the ingredients for making a skin serum that has been in daily use by both me and my husband ever since. The carrier oil used in it was -- to my surprise -- castor oil! I had always thought that castor oil was so thick and heavy that it would not be good to use on the face, but actually nothing could be farther from the truth.
Because it is deeply moisturizing, castor oil is a great choice for dry and/or aging skin. It also has a reputation for encouraging hair growth! So, it can even be used as a hair mask or even as a treatment for hair growth. Check out the recipes below for some great ways to use castor oil cosmetically.
So, what has the Super Serum done for us? My husband had recently had some very troublesome patches of eczema on his face. Although he had used a variety of essential oils and moisturizers topically, nothing had really helped much until he started using the Super Serum. I have been using the Super Serum as a facial serum before bed, for the hydrating qualities. I love the effect that it has!
As always, if you don't have all the essential oils that a recipe calls for, start with the ones you do have.
The Magic of Castor Oil
Castor oil has a long history of use in folk remedies and skin care. Even so, until recently I had only ever used it a few times in my life. The first time was when my Mom used castor oil on some warts on my hand (yes they disappeared and never returned). The second time I drank a small amount to kick off labour for my second child (yes, it worked!). The only other time I used it was in a compress for my Mom when she had inflamed skin on her back. And yes, it really helped then as well.
Here is a rundown of some of the properties of castor oil:
Moisturizer: Castor oil acts as a natural moisturizer for skin and hair, helping to hydrate and improve texture. This makes it GREAT for dry and/or aging skin.
Wound Healing: Castor oil is considered to promote wound healing.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Castor oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help with skin conditions like acne and irritation.
Pain Relief: Castor oil may relieve pain when massaged onto sore muscles or joints. It can be a good carrier oil to use with essential oils like Wintergreen, Rosemary and Peppermint for pain, or Deep Blue or Passion blends.
Laxative Properties: Castor oil is FDA-approved for relieving temporary constipation by stimulating intestinal contractions.
Note: Castor oil is very thick so be careful about getting it on any fabric because it will create an oil stain that is hard to remove. If this happens to you, use a few drops of Lemon essential oil on the fabric before washing it. Lemon really helps to break up the molecules of oil so the soap can wash it away.