Is Castor Oil Comedogenic? Know about the rating of castor oil on the comedogenic scale and what it means for your skin.
With homemade skincare products gaining popularity, people are buying natural ingredients to make their own beauty products. However, choosing the right ingredients as per your skin type is what makes a homemade product effective. The same applies to carrier oils, popularly used as a base in several recipes. There are many exotic and exclusive carrier oils available in the market, each with a long list of benefits for the skin. Still, before buying an ingredient, you should know how it would affect your skin, especially if you have oily, combination, or sensitive skin.
What is a Comedogenic Product
Based on the properties of natural ingredients, a scale separates them as products or ingredients that might clog your pores. This scale is called a comedogenic scale. An oil with a comedogenic rating of 0 is best for all skin types as it does not clog the pores. As the numbers on the scale go up, the risks of oils clogging your pores also goes up.
In other words, products within the range of 0-1 on the comedogenic scale pose an extremely low risk of blocked pores.
Is Castor Oil Comedogenic?
Castor oil scores 1 on the comedogenic scale, which means it has a slight chance of clogging pores and triggering breakouts when used in huge quantities. In the case of castor oil, a small amount can go a long way, as just a few drops are sufficient to amplify for your skin routine.
Main Composition
The main composition of castor oil is as follows:
Linoleic acid– 4%
Ricinoleic acid– 90%
Oleic acid– 4%
Comedogenic Rating– 1
There is a high content of ricinoleic acid in castor oil. Ricinoleic acid has detoxifying and purging qualities that help in the treatment of acne and blemishes. The same properties make the oil very drying for the skin. Therefore, it should be mixed with other carrier oils or diluted before applying for ideal results. Used in moderate quantity, castor oil has a long list of benefits for your skin and can even be used for overnight application and as a skin cleanser.
How to Use
The oil is known for its emollient, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties and is often used as a skin conditioner in beauty products or as a base ingredient that can help treat skin issues like acne and spider veins. You can also make a simple castor oil face serum for nourished, supple skin.
DIY Castor Oil Face Serum
You’ll Need:
- 20 ml jojoba oil
- 10 ml castor oil
- Two drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Method:
- Mix the ingredients in a clean glass bottle.
- After that, seal the container and roll it in your palms for thirty seconds to mix all the ingredients properly.
- Apply before bedtime on clean face, four drops, one each for forehead, cheeks, and chin.
- Gently massage the face serum all over your face.
Note: Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the face serum recipe. Always do a patch test for homemade products and monitor results for twelve hours. In case of irritation or rash, discontinue immediately.
