Castor oil has long been used because of its health benefits, such as its ability to boost immunity and detox the body (getting it down the hatch being the only downside!) This vegetable oil used to be ingested to improve wellness, but there are a whole host of uses for it outside the body that can seriously up your beauty game.
Skin
If you suffer from dry skin or find that it becomes dehydrated throughout the course of the day, then rather than reaching for expensive products, grab some castor oil instead, as it is known to decrease epidermal water loss. It works wonders on rough areas such as the heels and elbows.
Related: Say goodbye to dry, tight skin!
Brows and lashes
The same important vitamins and proteins that help with the growth of hair on your head are also what makes castor oil great for improving the condition of your brows and lashes. Rubbing a little on your eyelashes and eyebrows at night can help them to grow thicker and healthier.
Hair
Not only does applying a bit a castor oil to an itchy scalp help to relieve dry skin, resulting in fewer flakes, it’s also touted as an effective hair-growth serum. This is because it contains proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants that help to grow and strengthen hair.
Related: 5 ways to soothe a dry, itchy scalp
Pregnancy
One of the things many women fear is being left with stretch marks on their stomachs as a result of pregnancy. While there are plenty of products on the market that claim to combat this, castor oil is just as, if not more, effective, and is a lot more cost-effective too.
Nails
Because our hands work so hard, they require plenty of TLC to stay in tiptop condition. Massaging a few drops of castor oil into your cuticles and on your nail bed each day will help your nails to grow thicker and stronger, and restore dry cuticles on your hands and feet.
PHOTO: iStock/bdspn
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