Castor Oil for Psoriasis: Benefits, Uses, Risks

Castor oil, a vegetable oil, has moisturizing properties that can potentially soothe psoriasis symptoms. Psoriasis, a chronic (long-term) skin condition, causes red or silvery-white scaly patches to develop on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp that often feel dry or itchy and cause the skin to crack.

Psoriasis can be persistent and uncomfortable. Some people may try natural remedies, like castor oil, to help manage symptoms alongside standard medical treatments. 

There’s limited research exploring the effectiveness of castor oil for psoriasis. Though safe to use, it might cause further skin irritation. Always consult a healthcare provider before incorporating castor oil into your treatment plan. 

Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). Castor oil’s main ingredient, ricinoleic acid, is a fatty acid with laxative, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. 

Castor oil has a rich history of use, spanning cultures worldwide for centuries. Ancient Egyptians used castor oil for its wound-healing and laxative properties. Ancient Greeks and Romans recognized its anti-inflammatory benefits for burns and varicose veins.

In Ayurvedic medicine (an alternative medicine system in India), castor oil was a remedy for treating rheumatism (conditions causing joint pain and stiffness), constipation, inflammation, fever, bronchitis, and skin disorders.

Castor oil remains a popular natural remedy for skin and hair care, and researchers are exploring its potential uses for skin health and conditions like psoriasis.

Castor oil has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. While there is limited research on its effects on psoriasis, the oil’s active compounds and moisturizing qualities may help soothe inflamed, dry skin, relieving some psoriasis symptoms.

Moisturizes Dry, Scaly Skin 

Dry, flaking, scaly skin is one of the hallmark symptoms of psoriasis. Castor oil is a natural moisturizer that forms a protective barrier on the skin, locking in moisture and preventing water loss. Its high concentration of ricinoleic acid nourishes and hydrates the skin, which may help soften thickened patches or plaques.

Research on ricinoleic acid suggests that fatty acid can penetrate the skin deeply, providing long-lasting hydration. Castor oil may improve the skin’s texture and reduce the risk of cracked or bleeding skin by keeping the skin well-hydrated. 

Reduces Inflammation 

With psoriasis, an overactive immune system causes skin inflammation, triggering the body to produce skin cells more quickly than usual. This inflammation and rapid skin cell turnover lead to dry, thickened, irritated skin patches.

Research suggests ricinoleic acid may help reduce skin inflammation and pain. Applying castor oil to psoriasis-affected skin may help calm the skin’s inflammatory response, potentially soothing itchiness and discomfort and improving the skin’s texture.

Promotes Wound Healing 

The skin is the body’s first line of defense against infections. It acts as a physical barrier that prevents harmful pathogens like bacteria and fungi from entering the body.

With psoriasis, inflammation weakens the skin barrier and causes dry, scaling skin that can crack open. As a result, bacteria like Staphylococcus (staph) and Streptococcus (strep) and fungi like Candida can enter through cracks in the skin. This can trigger flares, worsen symptoms, or cause bacterial or fungal skin infections.

Applying castor oil to psoriasis patches may help heal cracked or broken skin and protect against infections. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, which could protect against bacteria and fungi that can trigger psoriasis flares. Castor oil’s ability to keep the skin hydrated and reduce cracks or breaks may also lower the likelihood of pathogens entering the skin and causing an infection.

May Soothe Itchiness or Burning

For many people with psoriasis, the persistent itching and burning sensations can disrupt daily activities and make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.

Applying castor oil may soothe inflamed, irritated, or itchy skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of ricinoleic acid in castor oil may help reduce skin inflammation, providing much-needed relief from itchiness or burning sensations.

Its ability to keep the skin well-hydrated can also help reduce dryness, minimizing uncomfortable symptoms. Consistent castor oil application may help hydrate the skin, reduce dryness, and relieve these persistent and uncomfortable symptoms.

There are several castor oil types available, each with varying uses and benefits:

• Cold-pressed castor oil: This thick, yellow oil is extracted from castor beans without heat, which preserves the oil’s natural properties. This type is a popular skin and haircare ingredient thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits. It might help treat inflammation and cracked skin from psoriasis.
• Jamaican black castor oil: This darker and thicker oil is made from roasted castor bean seeds with a higher pH than cold-pressed castor oil. It’s popular for promoting hair growth and scalp health. It’s also antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Although there isn’t much research on it, this castor oil may help people with scalp psoriasis because of its conditioning properties.
• Hydrogenated castor oil: Hydrogenated castor oil is created through hydrogenation, which converts the liquid oil into a more stable, waxy consistency. The oil is commonly used in cosmetics, such as lip balms and creams, for its moisturizing properties, which may help with skin dryness associated with psoriasis.

Cold-pressed castor oil is usually the best choice for psoriasis and other skin conditions because it is minimally processed, contains no chemicals, and contains high amounts of beneficial compounds. Jamaican black castor oil is also safe for your skin but has a thicker consistency, which may feel heavier on your skin.

No matter which type you choose, opt for a pure, high-quality product that states it’s labeled for skin use.

Adding castor oil to your skincare routine may help manage some psoriasis symptoms, and applying it is pretty straightforward. However, you should take certain precautions before regularly applying castor oil if you have sensitive skin.

Patch Test Before Liberal Use 

Before applying castor oil to larger areas, do a patch test. Apply a small amount of oil to a small area of skin, like your inner arm or elbow crease. Repeat this process daily for 7-10 days, monitoring for any signs of redness, itching, or swelling. 

If you don’t experience any signs of irritation, it’s likely safe to use on psoriasis-affected skin. If the patch test area develops irritation, wash the castor oil off of your skin and apply a cool compress or petroleum jelly to soothe your skin. 

How To Apply Castor Oil to Skin

Due to the limited research on using castor oil for psoriasis, there are no established guidelines for its application for psoriasis. It might take some trial and error to determine how to incorporate it into your skincare routine, but it’s generally a straightforward process.

Start by cleansing the affected area with mild soap and warm water, then pat dry. Next, pour a small amount of castor oil onto your fingertips or a cotton pad and gently massage it into the psoriatic patches using circular motions.

You can try applying a castor oil pack for larger areas of skin or thicker psoriasis plaques.

To make a castor oil pack: 

• Soak a clean, soft cloth or cotton pad with a small amount of castor oil. 
• Place the oil-saturated cloth over the affected area.
• Cover the castor oil-soaked cloth with plastic wrap or a clean towel to prevent mess.
• Relax for up to 60 minutes before removing the castor oil pack.
• Gently wipe away any excess oil with a soft, clean towel after removing the pack.

For best results, apply castor oil to affected areas once or twice daily. Because castor oil is thick, use it in the evenings to give your skin time to absorb it overnight. Consider soaking the area with a warm, wet compress before applying. The castor oil will help trap more moisture in the skin this way.

While castor oil is generally considered safe for topical use, some people may experience side effects when applying it to their skin. Due to its thick, heavy consistency, castor oil can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. 

Some people may experience skin irritation, redness, or allergic reactions after applying castor oil to the skin, causing symptoms like itching, swelling, or rashes. Performing a patch test before using castor oil to psoriasis plaques or patches can help ensure it won’t cause a widespread allergic reaction or worsen your symptoms, although this approach is not foolproof. 

Before incorporating castor oil into your routine, consult a healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist (a doctor specializing in skin, hair, and nail conditions). They can help determine whether castor oil will work for your skin and is compatible with your treatment plan.

Several complementary therapies and lifestyle changes can help manage psoriasis symptoms alongside conventional medical treatments. While these methods should not replace your psoriasis treatment plan, they may help reduce inflammation and soothe your skin.

Complementary Treatments

There are a few at-home remedies other than castor oil that may help manage psoriasis symptoms. This may include:

• Aloe vera: Pure aloe gel or creams with at least 0.5% aloe content have cooling and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe itching, redness, and irritation. 
• Oat baths: An oatmeal bath may help relieve itching and redness during flare-ups. 
• Dead sea salt soaks: Soaking in warm water with dead sea salt or Epsom salts for 15 minutes may help reduce itching and scaling. Moisturize after bathing to prevent your skin from drying out. 
• Apple cider vinegar: Applying diluted organic apple cider vinegar to the scalp several times a week may help relieve scalp psoriasis itching. Avoid using this remedy on areas with open wounds or broken skin.
• Mahonia aquifolium: Topical application of creams containing 10% Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) extract can relieve symptoms of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Diet and Lifestyle Management Tips

Certain lifestyle habits can help control psoriasis flare-ups and manage symptoms. These include: 

• Anti-inflammatory diet: Certain foods may help reduce systemic (bodywide) inflammation and psoriasis symptoms. Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. Decrease your intake of processed and fatty foods, sugar, and alcohol, which may worsen inflammation.
• Regular exercise: Regular physical activity—at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise five days a week—can help you manage weight, reduce systemic inflammation, and lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 
• Weight management: Maintaining the weight you and your healthcare provider discussed can lower your chances of developing more severe psoriasis symptoms and flare-ups.
• Stress management: Stress is a common trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. Relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, or mindfulness meditation can help lower stress levels and prevent stress-induced flare-ups.
• Avoiding smoking: Smoking cigarettes can contribute to excess inflammation in your body, which can trigger a psoriasis flare-up.

Prescribed Treatment Options

Alongside complimentary treatments and lifestyle changes, options healthcare providers may prescribe for treating psoriasis include: 

• Topical treatments: Creams and ointments containing corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, coal tar, or salicylic acid can help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms when applied directly to the skin.  
• Phototherapy: Regular light therapy (two to three times a week) can slow skin cell growth, reduce inflammation, and relieve psoriasis symptoms.  
• Medications: Oral or injectible medications, such as Trexall (methotrexate) or biologics (medicines made with the help of lab-engineered lines of cells), can help calm an overactive immune system and control inflammation to manage psoriasis.

While castor oil and other treatments can help manage psoriasis, it’s a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical attention and treatment.

If you don’t have a diagnosis and suspect you have psoriasis, see a healthcare provider. Symptoms may include swollen, flaky, or thickened skin patches, itchiness, red or silver-colored scaling, and severe dryness. 

If you have a psoriasis diagnosis, see a healthcare provider if you develop: 

• New or worsening symptoms, such as increased redness, scaling, or the development of new patches or plaques 
• Joint pain or tenderness 
• Nail changes, including thickened or yellow-brown colored nails, nail pitting (small dents), or a lifting of the nail from the skin underneath
• Severe dandruff

Castor oil shows promise for psoriasis. With its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil may help soothe psoriasis symptoms like dryness, itching, and irritation. While there’s limited research on the effects of castor oil for psoriasis, the oil may help hydrate the skin, strengthen the skin barrier to help prevent infection, relieve symptoms, and promote healing. 

Castor oil may be a helpful addition to your prescribed medication and lifestyle changes. As with any complementary therapy, discuss your interest in using castor oil with a healthcare provider before adding it to your skincare routine. They can help determine if castor oil is the right fit for you.