Castor oil is likely the most effective and inexpensive ingredient for cleaning, healing, and moisturizing the skin. Be sure to buy organic castor oil in glass and not a plastic bottle. This recipe with directions for a deep cleanse (which makes use of another inexpensive and common ingredient–baking soda) has been made popular on a youtube video. They make claims that it is effective for reducing wrinkles and dark spots. Here is the summary for how to do the cleanse.
Cleanse your face with the following procedure. For a deep, exfoliating cleanse, use castor oil and baking soda together –this mixture will also rejuvenate the skin. Mix 1 tsp. castor oil with ¼ tsp. baking soda (be exact). If you have acne-prone skin, add 1 drop (no more!) tea tree oil. Massage the paste into your face gently, covering the entire surface of your face but avoiding the delicate area around and under the eyes. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash your face with warm water and pat dry with a towel. If any irritation of the skin occurs, wash off the baking soda mixture sooner and reduce the baking soda next time. This combination will help remove excess oil, dirt and other pore-clogging material and rejuvenate the skin. The castor oil may feel “greasy” initially but the oil will absorb in 30 minutes or so and leave the skin feeling clean and moisturized. If your face feels too oily fir you afterwards, use a warm wet washcloth to help remove the excess oil. If your face does not feel oily after the treatment, follow with a few drops of plain castor oil massaged gently into the skin and leave it on.
This mixture can be used on the hands also. DO NOT DO THIS DEEP CLEANSE MORE THAN 2 TIMES A WEEK. It should be done before bed for best results. The castor oil alone can be used every night to remove make-up and clean the skin– use 1/2 tsp. castor oil applied with a warm wet washcloth and gently massaged into the face (add a drop of tea tree oil as an anti-bacterial if desired). Leave on the skin.
