Is castor oil a natural treatment for acne?

The primary reason for seeing a dermatologist is acne is a chronic inflammatory condition, hormonally driven, characterised by inflammation of the pilosebaceous units. It is accompanied by spots on the face, chest and/or back and is associated with oily skin. Its psychological impact, overlooked, can be substantial: acne is a visible dermatosis that may lead to reduced self-confidence and genuine psychological distress. Biologically, acne involves three factors: secretion of sebum that is overly thick (dysseborrhoea) or produced in excess (hyperseborrhoea), blocking pores; accelerated cell turnover causing an accumulation of dead cells on the skin surface and pore obstruction; and proliferation of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes, which feeds on sebum and releases pro-inflammatory compounds.

Despite some claims, the use of castor oil in its pure form is not recommended for acne.

Although not considered comedogenic, castor oil is a plant oil with an oily texture. Applying it to acne-prone areas could weigh down the hydrolipidic film and promote the retention of impurities. If you want to use a pure plant oil but have blemishes, we recommend choosing a lighter oil, such as jojoba oil or hazelnut oil, which hydrate and nourish the skin without leaving an oily film on its surface.

Furthermore, the belief that castor oil may benefit acne stems from its purported antibacterial effects. However, a recent study examined its inhibitory action on C. acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, another micro-organism sometimes associated with acne, of castor oil, its fatty acids and its oxidised fatty acids. For this purpose, the disc diffusion method was used. It involves placing discs impregnated with the test compound on a culture plate containing bacteria. After incubation, the diameter of the inhibition zone around the discs is measured, indicating the antibacterial efficacy of the substance. The study results are presented in the table below and show that pure castor oil cannot act against the bacteria responsible for acne.

This does not mean castor oil has no use against blemishes. It may be useful to include it in formulations for acne-prone skin where, at low concentration, enhance the overall sensory profile of the treatment. A 2023 study evaluated several salicylic acid–based creams formulated to treat acne. These contained 3% castor oil and showed good skin diffusion and a pleasant sensory profile. Moreover, thanks to its richness in fatty acids, notably ricinoleic acid, castor oil contributed to the cream’s hydrating and nourishing properties. Just because your skin is oily or prone to blemishes it should still be hydrated: you need to choose an appropriate treatment.

• AZADMARD-DAMIRCHI S. & al. Physiological and medicinal properties of castor oil. Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants (2011).

• MARWAT S. K. & al. Review - Ricinus communis - ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2017).

• POTENZA C. & al. Adult acne versus adolescent acne. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2018).

• HUDIYONO S. & al. Emulsifier and antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis of oxidized fatty acid esters from hydrolyzed castor oil. Materials Science and Engineering (2019).

• JAIN V. & al. Formulation & evaluation of cream of suhaga & salicylic acid for acne treatment. Journal of Neonatal Surgery (2025).