The benefits of applying castor oil on the lips?

The lips are among the most delicate areas of the body. The skin here is indeed very thin, approximately five times thinner than on the rest of the face, and the dermis hardly houses any sebaceous or sweat glands. Therefore, the lips are practically not protected by a hydrolipidic film, a mantle that acts on the rest of the body as a barrier sheltering the skin from external aggressions and preventing water loss. They are therefore particularly vulnerable to cold and highly prone to dehydration, which can lead to chapping.

The first step in taking care of one's lips is to hydrate and nourish them regularly.

There are reasons to believe that castor oil, containing oleic acid, an omega-9, could provide hydration and comfort to the lips. Indeed, oleic acid is known for its film-forming properties, allowing it to form a thin film on the surface of the lips, thus compensating for the absence of a hydrolipidic film. It can be assumed that this hydrating and protective effect of oleic acid extends to castor oil and that its application on the lips is beneficial for softening and making them more supple. In doing so, castor oil could also help to plump the lips. Indeed, hydrated and supple lips often appear more plump.

Furthermore, castor oil is attributed with restorative properties, useful for soothing chapped lips. Indeed, the oleic acid it contains is believed to stimulate the synthesis of collagen III, a key protein in granulation tissue. As a reminder, this is a temporary tissue synthesised by fibroblasts following inflammation or injury. It is also interesting to note that some studies report that castor oil may be able to modulate the inflammatory response, thus facilitating the healing process. It could indeed inhibit the activities of phospholipases A2. These enzymes, by releasing arachidonic acid, contribute to the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Castor oil could thus soothe painful lips.

It is noteworthy that the healing properties of castor oil have recently been evaluated in a study using a murine model. A formulation consisting of castor oil, ascorbic acid, and gum tragacanth was applied to the excisions of some rats, while a cream based on povidone iodine, a complex frequently used for skin conditions, was used on others. After nine days, a 98% wound healing was observed in the "castor oil" group, compared to 89% in the control group. However, it remains challenging to determine which compound truly influenced the healing process, or if the result is due to a synergy between the three ingredients.

The castor oil thus offers several benefits for the lips.

Is the application of castor oil on the lips dangerous?

The castor oil is sometimes singled out and accused of being dangerous due to the ricin found in the castor seeds from which the oil is extracted. However, ricin is a water-soluble molecule. Therefore, it is not soluble in the oil phase and does not enter into the composition of castor oil.

Another cause for concern: castor oil has laxative properties and, when consumed in excess, it can cause undesirable effects, such as gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea or vomiting. However, these effects are only observed with significant amounts of castor oil. When applied to the lips, the potentially ingested quantities are minimal and pose no health risk, even if used multiple times throughout the day. Furthermore, castor oil is an ingredient whose use in lip care products has been approved by health authorities. Therefore, its use in small quantities to hydrate and nourish the lips is possible.

Due to its various benefits for the lips, we have decided to incorporate castor oil into our lip repair mask. Also enriched with ceramides, mango butter, and hyaluronic acid, this treatment containing 98% naturally derived ingredients repairs damaged lips by forming a protective film on their surface, thus limiting water evaporation, and strengthening the skin barrier. The lip repair mask can be used in two ways: you can apply it about fifteen minutes before removing the excess with a cotton pad or leave it on in a thick layer all night.