10 Castor Oil Benefits for Skin That Night Cream Ads Never Mention
A cold-pressed oil with over 4,000 years of use behind it, and the ten things it does for dry, tired-looking skin while you sleep.
Each benefit lists the skin it suits best, so you can skip straight to yours.
Skin gets drier and feels less bouncy with every birthday. Castor oil benefits for skin start with one fatty acid: about 90% of this oil is ricinoleic acid, found in virtually no other natural oil, with omegas 6 and 9 and vitamin E alongside it. Here are the 10 we care about, starting with moisture.
1. Deep Moisture for Skin That Feels Tight by Bedtime
If your face feels tight an hour after you wash it, start here. Ricinoleic acid absorbs deeply, and the omegas and vitamin E moisturize and nourish while you're asleep, which gives them hours of contact with your skin.
Tavio Organic Castor Oil is the bottle we'd buy first. It's cold-pressed and hexane-free, about 90% ricinoleic acid, and kept in amber glass for purity.
Warm a few drops between your palms and press them into clean skin before bed. For longer contact, pour 1 to 2 tablespoons onto a Tavio cotton pack (sold separately) and wear it for at least an hour or overnight, 2 to 3 times a week. Topical use only, and skip it during pregnancy.
Best for: dry, tight skin · before bed · a few drops
“Love the castor oil. Feels great on my skin, absorbs quickly. Has a very pleasant smell. Not thick and sticky like other brands.”
Rosalyn · Verified buyer
2. Softer Skin You Can Feel Over Your Morning Coffee
Run your fingers over the back of your hand first thing in the morning. Omegas 6 and 9 help skin stay smooth and supple overnight, and that is an easy place to feel it.
Knuckles, elbows and heels are worth a few drops too. Those spots rarely get any attention, and a few drops take about ten seconds.
Best for: rough hands, elbows and heels · 2 to 3 nights a week · a few drops
3. A Firmer Look Along the Jaw and Neck
The jaw and neck tend to show their age early, and most routines stop at the chin. Omegas 6 and 9 support firm-looking skin, so take whatever oil is left on your hands and press it down past your jawline.
Nobody can sell you a facelift in a bottle. Give it a few weeks of regular nights and judge it in the same mirror, in the same light.
Best for: jaw and neck · 2 to 3 nights a week · after cleansing
4. Fine Lines That Look a Little Less Obvious
Around the eyes and mouth, dryness makes every fine line look deeper than it is. Castor oil hydrates that skin and helps reduce how much those lines show.
Use a tiny amount, pat it on with your ring finger and keep it out of your eyes.
Best for: fine lines by the eyes and mouth · a tiny amount · outer edges only
5. A Radiant Morning Look Before Any Makeup
Dry skin tends to look dull. After a night of vitamin E and fatty acids, it can look more radiant by morning.
Wash it off with your usual cleanser in the morning and carry on with your day.
Best for: dull, tired-looking skin · overnight · rinse in the morning
6. A Soothing Step for Skin That's Had a Rough Week
Wind, hot showers and long days can leave skin feeling dry and stressed. Ricinoleic acid absorbs deeply to help skin feel soothed and calm overnight, so those are good nights to cut your routine down to cleanser and oil.
One warning: castor oil doesn't suit everyone. Try a small amount on your inner arm first and wait a day. If your skin gets red or itchy, stop using it.
Best for: skin that feels stressed · after a patch test · simple routines
7. Skin That Feels a Little Bouncier
Press a finger into your cheek and notice how the skin feels. Omegas 6 and 9 support improved elasticity, which is the bounce you're after.
Men can use it too. A few drops after an evening shower take less time than shaving, and your bathroom shelf stays as short as you like.
Best for: cheeks and jaw · men and women · after an evening shower
8. Vitamin E for Skin That's Been Through a Few Decades
Castor oil naturally contains vitamin E, which gives skin antioxidant support as the years go by. A few decades of busy days add up, and your skin has earned some looking after.
Use it as a nighttime step, keep your sunscreen for the day, and think of it as part of aging gracefully.
Best for: mature skin · nights · sunscreen by day
9. A More Even-Looking Complexion Over Time
The fatty acids and vitamin E in castor oil promote a soft, supple, more even-toned complexion. It's easiest to judge on bare skin in daylight.
Take a bare-faced photo by the same window on your first night and another three weeks later. Tavio's 30-day money-back guarantee gives you time to decide, and the next refill ships at 4 weeks, so make the call before then.
Best for: uneven-looking tone · bare skin in daylight · compare photos at 3 weeks
10. Cold-Pressed Organic Oil With No Harsh Solvents
You need a magnifying glass to read the back of most skin products. Tavio names organic castor oil (Ricinus communis), cold-pressed and hexane-free, so no harsh chemical solvents are used to get it out of the bean.
It's third-party tested for quality, made in GMP-certified, FDA-registered facilities and kept in amber glass. That is worth checking before you put anything on your face.
Best for: label readers · simple routines · one-bottle shelves
1. Deep Moisture for Skin That Feels Tight by Bedtime
If your face feels tight an hour after you wash it, start here. Ricinoleic acid absorbs deeply, and the omegas and vitamin E moisturize and nourish while you're asleep, which gives them hours of contact with your skin.
Tavio Organic Castor Oil is the bottle we'd buy first. It's cold-pressed and hexane-free, about 90% ricinoleic acid, and kept in amber glass for purity.
Warm a few drops between your palms and press them into clean skin before bed. For longer contact, pour 1 to 2 tablespoons onto a Tavio cotton pack (sold separately) and wear it for at least an hour or overnight, 2 to 3 times a week. Topical use only, and skip it during pregnancy.
Best for: dry, tight skin · before bed · a few drops
“Love the castor oil. Feels great on my skin, absorbs quickly. Has a very pleasant smell. Not thick and sticky like other brands.”
Rosalyn · Verified buyer
2. Softer Skin You Can Feel Over Your Morning Coffee
Run your fingers over the back of your hand first thing in the morning. Omegas 6 and 9 help skin stay smooth and supple overnight, and that is an easy place to feel it.
Knuckles, elbows and heels are worth a few drops too. Those spots rarely get any attention, and a few drops take about ten seconds.
Best for: rough hands, elbows and heels · 2 to 3 nights a week · a few drops
3. A Firmer Look Along the Jaw and Neck
The jaw and neck tend to show their age early, and most routines stop at the chin. Omegas 6 and 9 support firm-looking skin, so take whatever oil is left on your hands and press it down past your jawline.
Nobody can sell you a facelift in a bottle. Give it a few weeks of regular nights and judge it in the same mirror, in the same light.
Best for: jaw and neck · 2 to 3 nights a week · after cleansing
4. Fine Lines That Look a Little Less Obvious
Around the eyes and mouth, dryness makes every fine line look deeper than it is. Castor oil hydrates that skin and helps reduce how much those lines show.
Use a tiny amount, pat it on with your ring finger and keep it out of your eyes.
Best for: fine lines by the eyes and mouth · a tiny amount · outer edges only
5. A Radiant Morning Look Before Any Makeup
Dry skin tends to look dull. After a night of vitamin E and fatty acids, it can look more radiant by morning.
Wash it off with your usual cleanser in the morning and carry on with your day.
Best for: dull, tired-looking skin · overnight · rinse in the morning
6. A Soothing Step for Skin That's Had a Rough Week
Wind, hot showers and long days can leave skin feeling dry and stressed. Ricinoleic acid absorbs deeply to help skin feel soothed and calm overnight, so those are good nights to cut your routine down to cleanser and oil.
One warning: castor oil doesn't suit everyone. Try a small amount on your inner arm first and wait a day. If your skin gets red or itchy, stop using it.
Best for: skin that feels stressed · after a patch test · simple routines
7. Skin That Feels a Little Bouncier
Press a finger into your cheek and notice how the skin feels. Omegas 6 and 9 support improved elasticity, which is the bounce you're after.
Men can use it too. A few drops after an evening shower take less time than shaving, and your bathroom shelf stays as short as you like.
Best for: cheeks and jaw · men and women · after an evening shower
8. Vitamin E for Skin That's Been Through a Few Decades
Castor oil naturally contains vitamin E, which gives skin antioxidant support as the years go by. A few decades of busy days add up, and your skin has earned some looking after.
Use it as a nighttime step, keep your sunscreen for the day, and think of it as part of aging gracefully.
Best for: mature skin · nights · sunscreen by day
9. A More Even-Looking Complexion Over Time
The fatty acids and vitamin E in castor oil promote a soft, supple, more even-toned complexion. It's easiest to judge on bare skin in daylight.
Take a bare-faced photo by the same window on your first night and another three weeks later. Tavio's 30-day money-back guarantee gives you time to decide, and the next refill ships at 4 weeks, so make the call before then.
Best for: uneven-looking tone · bare skin in daylight · compare photos at 3 weeks
10. Cold-Pressed Organic Oil With No Harsh Solvents
You need a magnifying glass to read the back of most skin products. Tavio names organic castor oil (Ricinus communis), cold-pressed and hexane-free, so no harsh chemical solvents are used to get it out of the bean.
It's third-party tested for quality, made in GMP-certified, FDA-registered facilities and kept in amber glass. That is worth checking before you put anything on your face.
Best for: label readers · simple routines · one-bottle shelves
Our Top Pick · 42,000+ Customers
Tavio Organic Castor Oil
Cold-Pressed · Organic and Hexane-Free
~90% Ricinoleic Acid · Plus Omegas 6 & 9, Vitamin E
Amber Glass · Preserved for Purity
Third-Party Tested · GMP-Certified Facilities
Get Tavio Castor Oil →
1 Set $39.99 | 2 Sets $79.98 | Refill Ships Every 4 Weeks Until You Cancel | 30-Day Guarantee
This article is an advertorial and may contain affiliate links. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Do not use during pregnancy.
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