When it comes to skin care, castor oil most likely doesn’t come to mind. It’s more commonly thought of as a natural remedy for constipation, but this ancient oil can do much more.Castor oil has been found to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help treat a variety of skin conditions and add moisture and elasticity to your skin.

Using castor oil can be a wonderful way to naturally hydrate your skin and hair in place of traditional beauty products that contain additives like parabens and other harmful ingredients.
Where does castor oil come from?
Castor oil comes from the castor seed plant native to India, the southeastern Mediterranean Basin and Europe. It’s also widespread in many tropical regions. The castor oil plant has glossy leaves that can be between five and 18 inches long and bears fruit, containing large, oval, shiny bean-like seeds. The seeds contain between 40 to 60 percent oil. It’s this unique composition that gives castor oil its many beneficial properties.
Castor oil is a triglyceride made up of fatty acids with up to 90 percent of them being ricinoleic acid. This acid is what gives castor oil its laxative properties. It’s also what has made castor oil an anecdotal remedy for helping to induce labor. This use has been documented in history, but we don’t recommend castor oil for that purpose.
The prepared form of castor oil has many medicinal uses, but raw, the plant is poisonous with the most toxic part being the seeds. They contain the potent toxin ricin, made from the protein in castor seeds. If ingested, this toxin gets into the ribosomes of your cells and ultimately kills them. Ricin is made from the leftover part of the seeds after processing them into oil. Eating just five to 10 raw castor seeds would be fatal, and once poisoned there is no antidote, according to Dr. Mercola.
For these reasons, it’s best to purchase an already processed, high-grade castor oil. Look for one that hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides or chemically processed which compromises the oil’s natural beneficial phytonutrients.
History
Centuries ago the castor seed plant was referred to as “Palma Christe”  because the leaves were thought to resemble the Palm of Christ. This association may have also come from the plant being known for its healing powers.
Castor oil was adapted for medicinal use in Ancient Egypt. It has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 4000 B.C. where the slow burning oil was used to fuel lamps. It’s also believed that Cleopatra used castor oil to brighten the whites of her eyes. Egyptian medical documents dated from around 1552 B.C. describe castor oil being used as a laxative.
Greek historian Herodotus described using castor seed oil as a fuel for lighting and for body ointments and to improve hair growth and texture. Throughout history castor oil has also been used for various purposes in China, Persia, Africa and later 17^th Century Europe and the Americas.
Skin care
Castor oil is very thick, making it a good sealant to lock in moisture and to smooth severely dry skin and calluses. After a shower, apply castor oil for soft skin and all-day moisture. It may feel slightly oily at first, but this will be absorbed and dissipate in a short time. A few drops of it can also be added to your favorite lotion, shampoo or conditioner for added moisture.
Castor oil can also be used as a topical remedy for skin tags, moles, skin irritations, minor cuts and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
To make a moisturizing dry skin treatment livestrong.com recommends combining ½ cup castor oil, 2/3 cup olive oil and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. For an added bonus, use essential oils with nourishing properties like lavender, rosemary or jasmine. Smooth the moisturizing mixture on as needed for subtle skin with a revitalizing scent.
It’s important to note that castor oil, like any skin care product, may cause an allergic reaction. It’s recommended that you perform a test on a small patch of skin before incorporating it into your everyday routine.
Hair Care
As mentioned earlier, castor oil can also be used on hair. It can be massaged into your scalp and may help increase circulation, stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties can help treat scalp conditions including dandruff, scalp infection and scalp inflammation, all of which can be sources of hair loss, according to livestrong.com.
Castor oil is easily absorbed into the hair shaft and can help lock in moisture and eliminate dryness and breakage. Rub a few drops on your palms and smooth on to your hair for added shine and to tame frizz and dry split ends. It can also be used as a leave-in conditioner.
Next time you’re thinking about ways to naturally moisturize your skin and hair, you may want to give castor oil a try. Do you have any suggestions for uses? Feel free to let us know with a comment below.
Skin health.  Castor oil has a low molecular weight, which means it is absorbed readily into skin and hair, providing nourishment and moisturizing effects. When applied to the ends of dry hair, it moisturizes and prevents split ends.  It has been used for years as a face cream to reduce the risk of dark under-eye circles and to aid in the prevention and treatment of wrinkles.  Castor oil is commonly added to natural lip balms and glosses to add shine and moisture to dry lips and it’s also frequently added to natural mascaras to encourage lash growth.
Antimicrobial.  Ricinoleic acid contains antimicrobial properties, which, when applied to open wounds, can act as a disinfectant.  It is effective for treating fungal skin infections, such as ringworm, as well as minor cuts and scratches. An added bonus to using castor oil as a first aid treatment are its anti-itch and pain-relieving properties, which help ease symptoms as minor skin infections heal.
Decreasing stagnation.  Because of its low molecular weight, when applied to the skin, castor oil has the ability to not only penetrate the skin, but to reach the deeper organs of the body.  According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing art, castor oil has the ability to warm the body, which can decrease the stagnation of excess bodily fluids and lymph. This stagnation can cause blockages in the body's tissues, leading to water retention and weight gain. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is common to apply a mixture of castor oil and powdered turmeric to masses and lumps found under the skin in order to dissolve them.  It is an excellent oil to use in full-body self-massage for people of Kapha constitution, whose bodies typically accumulate fluids...

source: http://www.drvita.com/blog/pamper-your-skin-and-hair-with-castor-oil/