Benefits & uses of castor oil
- Health Hub Home
- Natural Beauty
- Benefits & uses of castor oil
There are few things out there as dynamic as castor oil.
Wondering what makes this humble plant-based oil so useful? Read on to discover castor oil’s benefits and why it deserves a place in your bathroom cupboard.
First of all, what is castor oil?
Castor oil is essentially a vegetable oil derived from a plant native to Africa and Asia.
It contains high amounts of fatty acids – including omega-6 and ricinoleic acid – and has been used as a natural remedy for specific skin issues for centuries.
In its purest form, castor oil is a colourless to pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odour. It’s typically used in the likes of soaps and perfumes.
6 ways to use castor oil
Wondering how to use castor oil as part of your routine?* Here are 6 different ways you can benefit from its properties.
*We recommend that you test it on a small patch of skin first to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.
Last updated: 25 April 2023
Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager
Joined Holland & Barrett: Oct 2018
BSc (Hons) in Cosmetic Science
Janine started her career as a Technical intern at Superdrug while studying for her Cosmetic Science degree at the London College of Fashion, assisting Product Technologists in their roles by progressing NPD from initial concept through to post-market launch analysis and complaints.
Her experience spanned all categories sold at Superdrug, including colour cosmetics, toiletries, accessories and electrical goods.
After graduating her degree, Janine took up the Technical specialist role at Morrison’s leading the cosmetic and toiletries category from a Regulatory angle, including visiting manufacturers and attending and carrying out audits. Afterwards she moved onto become the lead Regulatory specialist for cosmetics at 151 Products.
Here at Holland & Barrett, Janine is responsible for...
Sign up for exclusive offers
