How to Use Castor Oil on Your Face (Including Overnight and Oil Cleansing)

Castor oil is one of the thickest plant oils you can put on your face. Used well, in small amounts or blended with a lighter oil, it leaves skin feeling soft with a smooth, dewy finish. Used straight and heavily, it can feel sticky and heavy. Here is how to use castor oil on your face, including oil cleansing, overnight use and the mistakes to avoid.

The short answer

Use a few drops at most, ideally mixed with a lighter oil such as jojoba. Press it into damp skin as the last step of your routine, or use it in an oil-cleansing blend to remove makeup. Patch test first, keep it away from your eyes, and if your skin is oily, start with a very dilute blend.

Why people use castor oil on their face

Castor oil is pressed from the seeds of the castor plant, Ricinus communis. About 87% of our oil is ricinoleic acid, an unusual fatty acid that gives castor oil its dense, silky texture. That thickness is why people use it:

• As a final layer to leave dry skin feeling soft and smooth.
• In oil cleansing, where it helps lift makeup and sunscreen.
• On dry spots such as around the nose or along the jaw in winter.

How to apply castor oil on your face

1. Cleanse your face as usual and leave it slightly damp.
2. Mix 1 drop of castor oil with 3 or 4 drops of a lighter oil, such as jojoba, in your palm.
3. Warm the blend between your fingertips.
4. Press it gently into your cheeks, forehead and chin, rather than rubbing. Stay well clear of the eye area.
5. Wait a few minutes before applying anything else, such as sunscreen in the morning.

On very dry skin, some people use castor oil neat, but even then one or two drops is enough for the whole face.

Can you leave castor oil on your face overnight?

Yes, many people use it as the last step of their evening routine. Keep it light: a few drops of a castor oil blend, pressed into damp skin. A heavy layer is more likely to feel greasy, transfer onto your pillow and leave skin feeling congested. Wash your face as normal in the morning.

Oil cleansing with castor oil

Oil cleansing uses oil to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and the day's build-up, followed by a warm cloth. Castor oil is a classic ingredient because it is so effective at loosening makeup, but it is usually too heavy on its own.

• Dry skin: 1 part castor oil to 4 parts jojoba or another light oil.
• Normal skin: 1 part castor oil to 3 parts light oil.
• Oily skin: 1 part castor oil to 2 parts light oil, or less castor oil if it feels too heavy.

Massage a teaspoon of the blend over dry skin for a minute, then hold a warm, damp cloth over your face for a few seconds and gently wipe the oil away. Rinse the cloth and repeat until your skin feels clean. Follow with your usual cleanser if you like.

Who castor oil suits (and who should go carefully)

• Dry or normal skin: usually gets on well with castor oil, especially in cooler months.
• Oily skin: may find it too heavy. Try it only in oil cleansing, where it is wiped off, or in a very dilute blend.
• Sensitive or breakout-prone skin: patch test on a small area for a few days before using it more widely, and stop if you notice any irritation.

Not sure whether castor oil or jojoba oil suits your skin better? Read castor oil vs jojoba oil.

Common mistakes

• Using too much. A few drops is plenty. More just feels sticky.
• Applying to bone-dry skin. It spreads far more easily on slightly damp skin.
• Using it near the eyes. Keep it on the cheeks, forehead and chin.
• Skipping the patch test. Try it on a small area, such as the side of your neck, first.
• Choosing a low-quality oil. For your face, look for cold-pressed, hexane-free, certified organic castor oil with a single ingredient.

Choosing a castor oil for your face

• Cold-pressed: pressed mechanically, without added heat or chemical solvents. Why pressing method matters.
• Hexane-free: no solvent extraction. More on hexane-free castor oil for skin.
• Certified organic: look for a named certification.
• Single ingredient and dark glass.

Our castor oil is pressed from certified organic seeds grown in India, certified under NPOP and verified by Ecocert. It is cold-pressed and hexane-free, with no solvents used at any stage, and an independent lab test confirmed no hexane was detected. It is bottled in amber glass in Western Australia. Shop certified organic castor oil.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use castor oil on my face every day?

Many people do, in small amounts. If your skin starts to feel heavy or congested, use it less often or dilute it more.

Can I use castor oil on my face without mixing it?

You can, but most people find it too thick on its own. Mixing it with a lighter oil makes it easier to spread and more comfortable to wear.

What can I mix castor oil with for my face?

Light oils such as jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed are common choices. You can also add a drop to your usual moisturiser.

Will castor oil give me glowing skin?

A thin layer leaves a smooth, dewy finish that many people describe as a glow. How your skin looks over time depends on many things, and we don't claim castor oil changes your skin.

Keep reading: How to use castor oil · Hexane-free castor oil for skin · Castor oil vs jojoba oil

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Patch test before first use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.