Is castor oil effective against under-eye bags?

Under-eye bags are characterised by swelling in the lower eyelids. Often blamed for giving a tired appearance, these bags are not harmful but can be a source of discomfort for those who suffer from them. We distinguish two types of bags : adipose bags, resulting from an accumulation of fat under the eyes, and aqueous bags, resulting from a build-up of water. The appearance of adipose bags is facilitated by gravity and the passage of time. Indeed, as the skin ages, the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis decreases. We then observe a downward shift of the fatty tissues, leading to adipose bags. Aqueous bags, on the other hand, are the consequence of poor lymphatic and blood circulation. They mainly form when we are in a lying position, a state that promotes the stagnation of blood and lymph.

At present, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of castor oil in combating under-eye bags.

Anti-inflammatory, hydrating, nourishing... The castor oil has many benefits for the skin. However, no study has confirmed that it can act against under-eye bags. Moreover, castor oil does not seem to have a tightening effect or protect collagen and elastin fibres, which are useful for slowing down the loss of dermal structure. Castor oil also does not appear to have any effect on blood or lymphatic circulation, which could have prevented the formation of water-filled bags.

The only potentially relevant property of castor oil in preventing fat pockets: its antioxidant action. Indeed, the vitamin E content of castor oil allows it to offer some protection to protein fibres and cellular constituents. This was evaluated during a DPPH test, a biological test frequently used to highlight the radical scavenging power of molecules. An inhibitory concentration (IC50) median of the DPPH° free radical of 19.02 µg/mL was measured for castor oil, compared to 2.36 µg/mL for ascorbic acid, a powerful antioxidant. As a reminder, the IC50 corresponds to the necessary concentration of a molecule required to inhibit half of a chemical process. The antioxidant action of castor oil could perhaps allow it to stabilise free radicals before they attack protein fibres, thus helping to prevent fat pockets.