Castor oil was widely used by our ancestors as a remedy for constipation, getting rid of toxins, for bronchitis and in cosmetology. It helps best against age spots on the face. Compared to salon procedures, castor oil is quite harmless and has virtually no contraindications, and also has a long-lasting effect. The only drawback is the longer time it takes to carry out such procedures to get rid of age spots.
Causes of darkening on the face
Before you begin choosing a method for getting rid of pigmentation, you need to identify the causes of this cosmetic defect:
- Disorders of the digestive system.
- Endocrine system disorder.
- Problems with the functioning of the central nervous system.
- Liver disorders.
- Presence of heart and kidney diseases.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Excess sunlight for people with red hair and white skin.
- Damage to the skin.
- Cosmetic procedures that were performed unsuccessfully.
- Side effect of antibiotics.
- Advanced age.
If you are unable to find the causes of pigmentation on your own, consult a dermatologist.
Lemon
The well-known lightening agent should be used with caution in the summer. Lemon juice has a whitening effect due to the content of citric acid and psolaren. At the same time, these compounds irritate the skin and make them vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. This can cause severe sunburn, including blistering.
It is recommended to do this procedure before going to bed:
- Apply lemon juice diluted 1:1 with water to your skin.
- Let it dry, wait another 10 minutes.
- Rinse your skin with water and apply moisturizer.
- Repeat applications morning and evening.
- The results of use become noticeable after 2 months.
Cosmetic properties
Castor oil is produced from castor beans, which gently softens and disinfects the skin. Castor oil is absorbed quite quickly and easily by the skin, leaving the pores clean and without forming any oily films.
With regular use of the product, pigmented facial skin becomes fresher and healthier. In addition, the product is famous for the following properties:
- Help in removing any existing dark spots on the face.
- Providing protection from aggressive weather conditions (sunlight, severe frost and wind).
- Prevention of cell dehydration.
- Stimulates collagen production.
- Restoration of skin as a result of damage.
The above features of castor oil make it possible to discolor age spots at home, as well as get rid of warts, pimples and new scars.
Castor oil for face against age spots
The most gentle methods for facial skin are those based on the use of folk remedies.
Castor oil has proven itself well in this capacity, and can be purchased at any pharmacy at a very low price.
It, unlike many other products, does not require the addition of additional ingredients.
Castor oil is used as an independent remedy against hyperpigmentation of facial skin.
Its action is based on the fact that it contains various acids: ricinoleic, oleic, and linoleic.
Any acid bleaches. In order to get the desired effect, castor oil must be rubbed several times a day into those areas of the skin where hyperpigmentation is observed.
The procedure must be carried out regularly and for a long time, which is determined individually.
Castor oil has a cumulative and prolonged effect.
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Homemade mask for dry skin
Unlike masks based on fermented milk products, citric acid, cucumber or hydrogen peroxide, castor oil can be used for any skin type.
It is equally suitable for eliminating pigmentation from oily, combination or dry facial skin, additionally nourishing it with vitamins and microelements contained in its composition.
Recommendations for selection
In order not to harm your skin with a low-quality product, you must consider the following:
- Buy the product only at the pharmacy. Purchase rare types of castor oil from the manufacturer in highly specialized places.
- Pay attention to the method of obtaining the oil. For cosmetic purposes, you need to choose cold-pressed castor oil (extra virgin).
- The highest quality is castor oil, made in India from perennial castor beans.
- Castor oil for the face has a lot of variant names: food additive E1503, ricinus communis, castor oil, sulfated castor oil, etc.
- Buy only unrefined oil.
By choosing castor oil according to these criteria, you have every chance of finding a quality product that will solve the problem of darkening on your face.
Applications
Honey-lemon:
- honey – 1 tsp;
- lemon oil – 3 drops.
Soak cotton pads in the mixture and apply to areas with increased pigmentation. Keep for 20 minutes. Repeat daily for 3 weeks.
Lemon:
- boiled water – 1 tbsp. l.;
- lemon oil – 7 drops;
- hydrogen peroxide – 1 tsp.
Mix the ingredients, soak cotton pads in the resulting liquid and apply to problem areas. After 5 minutes, apply moisturizer: hydrogen peroxide dries out the skin.
Cosmetic oil for applications:
- olive oil – 30 ml;
- tea tree oil – 10 drops.
The mixture is applied to the pigmented areas and left until completely dry. If you feel a burning sensation, immediately remove the oil from the skin using a napkin. This application should be done before bedtime.
Along with essential oils, vegetable oils (preferably cold-pressed) are used in the treatment of excess skin pigmentation: olive, jojoba, cocoa, almond. The combination of these ingredients allows you to achieve the best results of whitening procedures.
Essential oils are useful to add to water for washing. With their help, they enhance the effectiveness of conventional cosmetics: add a few drops to your daily nourishing or moisturizing cream.
Methods for removing pigmentation
Below are recipes using castor oil for the face:
- Prepare 1 tsp. grapefruit, sea buckthorn and currant juices, combine with 2 tbsp. l. castor oil. Distribute the prepared mixture evenly over the entire skin of the face and keep it for about 15 minutes.
- Add to one container a tablespoon of lemon juice and cucumber pulp and 1 tsp. melted honey, castor oil and kefir. Mix thoroughly and apply to age spots for 15 minutes, then wash your face well.
- In a previously prepared water bath, heat a tablespoon of castor extract and honey. Add to them 5 drops of iodine, 10 drops of Aevit and a teaspoon of Vaseline. Spread the prepared mixture over the skin and keep for 30 minutes. This mask can be stored in a cool place for a maximum of 5 days.
- Mix castor oil with sea buckthorn oil in equal proportions, then apply to problem areas. The recipe will be useful for people with sensitive skin.
- Heat the castor oil in a water bath to a temperature of 40 degrees, then add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice. You can wear this mask for up to half an hour.
When using recipes, carefully follow the proportions.
Be sure to check the prepared product for an allergic reaction before use. To do this, apply a small amount of emulsion on your wrist and wait a few minutes. If you feel itching and notice redness, then do not use the product under any circumstances, otherwise you will harm your facial skin.
Soda for pigmentation
Soda for age spots (Sodium Bicarbonate) is very good in combination with castor oil. You can use soda water to prepare your face in advance for applying a castor oil mask; it gently cleanses the skin and prepares it for the influence of beneficial components. Cosmetologists confirm the fact that additional use of soda increases the speed of getting rid of pigmentation.
The first results will be noticeable after two months of using castor oil, so try to perform these procedures regularly. Complete disappearance of pigmentation can occur after 6 months. Experts also advise exfoliating your face twice a month to avoid clogged pores.
Rules for using oil
Before using various masks and compresses, you should take into account the nuances that will increase the desired effect:
- To bleach spots on sensitive skin with castor oil it is necessary in combination with any oil in equal proportions (coconut oil, essential extracts, etc.).
- After therapy, do not go out into sunlight for several hours, otherwise your facial skin will become even more pigmented.
- Therapy with castor oil is necessary in the cold season (autumn or winter).
Knowing these simple rules will help make treatment more effective and also avoid unpleasant consequences.
Use with other oils
Using castor oil for age spots on the face is useful in combination with other oils. The most popular of them are:
- Coconut oil – produced from coconut pulp; contains substances that eliminate pigmentation, protect the skin from ultraviolet rays and increase its tone. Mix coconut oil with castor oil in equal proportions and rub until completely absorbed.
- Essential oils are used for skin hyperpigmentation. They not only discolor the skin, but disinfect it and eliminate enlarged pores. The most effective are lemon, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, and grapefruit extracts. Apply essential oil for age spots with castor oil in the same way as with coconut oil.
- Sea buckthorn oil contains carotene, which has the ability to pigment the skin, so this oil should be used only in minimal quantities. Combine heated sea buckthorn oil with castor oil, then apply it onto the face. After 20 minutes, clean your face with a cotton pad after soaking it in green tea.
Using additional oils in combination with castor oil will speed up the appearance of the desired results on your face, as well as generally improve the condition of your skin.
Characteristics of sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is isolated from sea buckthorn berries. It has many valuable properties and is widely used in the beauty industry and pharmacology.
Oil composition:
- vitamins A, C, E, K, group B;
- sterols;
- phospholipids;
- fatty acids – linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic and others.
Properties of sea buckthorn extract for external use:
- moisturizes, eliminates peeling;
- slows down aging, protects against negative external factors;
- disinfects and reduces inflammation;
- heals damage;
- normalizes sebum secretion;
- whitens (thanks to vitamin K).
People who are allergic to it or have gastrointestinal pathologies (stomach, liver, biliary tract) should not wear sea buckthorn oil. Sea buckthorn berry extract should be used 2 times a week.
Contraindications
The use of castor oil against age spots on the face is excluded under certain circumstances:
- The presence of unhealed skin lesions in the area of the spots.
- Before prolonged exposure to the sun.
- Children under 1 year of age.
- During pregnancy and lactation.
The vast majority of people who have used castor oil for dark spots on their face respond positively to this product. This is one of the few remedies that helps to quickly lighten age spots at home without spending a lot of money. Moreover, castor oil can moisturize the skin as much as possible, give it a healthy tone and tighten fine wrinkles.
The value of coconut oil
Coconut oil is extracted from the pulp or copra of coconuts. The most commonly used method is hot pressing, but the extract obtained by non-thermal processing is considered more valuable.
Coconut oil contains:
- vitamins B1, B3, B6, B9, C, PP;
- acids - lauric, oleic, caprylic, palmitic, stearic.
Cosmetic characteristics of coconut extract:
- regenerates the epidermis;
- protects it from ultraviolet radiation;
- smoothes wrinkles;
- increases skin turgor;
- relieves inflammation;
- improves the color of the integument;
- disinfects;
- reduces sebum production;
- removes age spots (due to acids).
Contraindication – individual intolerance. It should be used 2-3 times a week.