What 'ricin?

The castor is a small shrub with red flowers . It grows in India where there is now a large operating chain. Its seeds are pressed cold to give castor oil , transparent, whose beauty virtues are numerous. There is also, especially in the Caribbean and Haiti , black castor oil, called " carapate oil ". It comes from the same shrub but its brown color is due to another method of preparation: the seeds are boiled in water, the oil evaporates and comes to settle on the surface, from which it is directly recovered . The benefits of these two oils are almost identical.

What is the use of castor oil?

Rich in ricinoleic acid (an omega 9 fatty acid) and vitamin E (natural antioxidant), in the universe of cosmetics , castor oil is known for its virtues on the integuments. In other words, it allows:
- moisturizing , strengthening and stimulating hair growth,
- soften the cuticles and stimulate the growth of the nails,
- boost the growth of the eyelashes, the eyebrows and even the hair of the beard .

The carapate oil, for its part, is a real bath of youth for curly and frizzy hair . It restores their balance and nourishes them in depth.

How to apply it?

There are no cons-indication to use castor oil daily but it can also be used in intensive treatment over several days or weeks, depending on his problematic. Especially on normal hair that should not be fed excessively at the risk of greasing them.
- On the hair , it is applied in mask before shampooing , which can be made to pose a whole night according to the degree of dehydration . Or by small touches on the lengths after the shampoo.
- On the nails , castor oil is applied to the cuticles before going to bed to benefit from its moisturizing and repairing effect throughout the night.
- On the eyelashes , eyebrows and beard hair, it is applied in the evening in small touches with a cotton swab .

Our 3 favorite castor oils

According to trademarks, castor oil is easily found in organic stores, in certain cosmetics shops, pharmacies and supermarkets. Our 3 darlings:
- Floressance castor oil, Léa Nature, 6,65 € per 50 ml, in supermarkets.
- Melvita castor oil, € 13 per 50 ml, in the brand's boutiques and on its website.
- Aroma-Zone castor oil, € 4.90 per 100 ml, in the brand's boutiques and on its website.

Thanks to Valérie Cauche, Cosmetics Ingredients and Supply Chain Manager at Léa Nature.