Is castor oil effective against acne?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease , characterised by the inflammation of hair -sebaceous follicles. It is often accompanied by unsightly spots and typically results in permanently oily skin. According to the S.F.D. (French Society of Dermatology), 15 million people in France are affected by acne problems, including 3.3 million aged over 15 years. This skin disorder affects approximately 80% of teenagers (of which 15% present severe acne) and nearly 25% of adults, particularly women. It can appear both on the face and certain areas of the body (chest, back, buttocks...). Being the primary reason for consultation with a dermatologist, this skin condition can lead to a lack of self-confidence and significant psychological distress.

From a biological perspective, when one has acne, the sebaceous glands secrete a sebum that is too thick (dysseborrhea) or in excessive amounts (hyperseborrhea), which clogs the pores and results in spots and/or blackheads. This condition is often triggered by stress, pollution, and hormones. An unhealthy lifestyle (lack of sleep, smoking, unbalanced diet, poor hygiene…) can also trigger or exacerbate this sebum alteration leading to the appearance of blemishes. Moreover, in this fat-rich environment, a bacterium usually present in small amounts on the skin, Propionibacterium acnes, proliferates, which triggers an inflammatory response on the skin's surface.