Castor Oil for Skin

Castor oil, a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean plant, has been investigated in several clinical trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for its potential benefits on various skin conditions. Its purported effects stem from its rich composition, including ricinoleic acid, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The relevance of castor oil to skin health is therefore a topic of ongoing research, with studies exploring its efficacy across a range of dermatological applications.

Protocols Studied in Research

[1] Topical castor oil cream for infraorbital hyperpigmentation. (Cited by: 1) (pmid: 37927123)

• Protocol: A single-arm clinical trial enrolled 22 patients with infraorbital hyperpigmentation who applied castor oil cream twice daily for two months. Measurements included VisioFace and SkinColorCatch device readings and visual analog scales.
• Outcome: Castor oil cream significantly reduced infraorbital hyperpigmentation, melanin levels, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Further randomized trials are needed for confirmation.

[2] Modified Goeckerman treatment for psoriasis. (Cited by: 5) (pmid: 26841099)

• Protocol: A pilot study using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) examined 11 psoriatic patients undergoing modified Goeckerman treatment, assessing changes in skin microvasculature and clinical scores (PASI).
• Outcome: Goeckerman treatment significantly reduced PASI scores and vessel diameters. However, vessel diameters remained enlarged compared to normal skin. Post-treatment vessel diameters and PASI reduction better predicted relapse than final PASI score, suggesting subclinical vascular changes are important treatment targets.

[3] Nascum(R)-Plus (NP) thixotropic nasal gel for seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). (Cited by: 4) (pmid: 32259823)

• Protocol: An open-label, crossover, randomized controlled trial of 18 adults with SAR. Participants received either NP or no treatment during two 4-hour allergen challenge chamber sessions, three weeks apart.
• Outcome: NP significantly reduced nasal symptoms and secretion. No significant effect on inflammatory biomarkers was observed. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated.

[4] Intraarterial administration of paclitaxel-albumin nanoparticles (ABI-007) for advanced head and neck and recurrent anal canal squamous cell carcinoma. (Cited by: 32) (pmid: 11745194)

• Protocol: A Phase I study of 43 patients with advanced head and neck or recurrent anal canal squamous cell carcinoma received intraarterial ABI-007 at increasing doses (120-300 mg/m²) every 4 weeks for 3 cycles. Toxicity and antitumor activity were assessed.
• Outcome: Intraarterial ABI-007 had acceptable toxicity, with myelosuppression as the dose-limiting toxicity. The maximum tolerated dose was 270 mg/m². Significant antitumor activity (80.9% complete or partial response) was observed at most dose levels. A Phase II dose of 230 mg/m² every 3 weeks was recommended.

[5] Comparison of ointment and aerosol spray formulations of a topical wound treatment (containing balsam of Peru, castor oil, and trypsin) for pressure ulcers and perineal dermatitis. (Cited by: 1) (pmid: 15206088)

• Protocol: A 10-day, randomized, controlled trial on 60 healthy volunteers (>65 years old) with two laser-induced wounds per participant. One wound received ointment, one spray, and one saline (control). Wounds were assessed every other day.
• Outcome: The ointment formulation showed significantly better outcomes than the spray or saline, exhibiting less edema, scabbing, and erythema, and greater epithelialization. Vehicle base formulation significantly impacts product efficacy and safety.

[6] 0.3% and 0.5% podophyllotoxin cream for treating condylomata acuminata (genital warts) in women. (Cited by: 7) (pmid: 8075441)

• Protocol: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study involving 80 Asian women with biopsy-confirmed genital warts. Participants self-applied cream twice daily for 3 days a week for up to 4 weeks.
• Outcome: 0.5% podophyllotoxin cream was significantly more effective than 0.3% cream and placebo in clearing genital warts, with a high cure rate and tolerable side effects. Relapses occurred in a small percentage of cured patients.

Research Interpretation: Summary and Conclusion

The reviewed studies employed diverse methodologies, including single-arm trials, randomized controlled trials, and open-label crossover designs, investigating various interventions and outcomes unrelated to castor oil for skin conditions. Only one study (PMID 37927123) examined castor oil cream for infraorbital hyperpigmentation, showing promising results but requiring further confirmation through larger, randomized trials. Several studies focused on other treatments, such as Goeckerman therapy for psoriasis (PMID 26841099), allergen challenge treatments (PMID 32259823), and cancer therapies (PMID 11745194). Other studies investigated wound healing (PMID 15206088) and genital wart treatment (PMID 8075441), demonstrating the efficacy of respective interventions. The absence of abstracts in several studies (PMID 9035914, PMID 782068) prevented a complete assessment of their methodologies and findings. In summary, the available evidence does not offer a collective conclusion on castor oil's efficacy for skin conditions, and further research specifically evaluating castor oil for various skin issues is needed.

Publications

[1] Parvizi MM; Saki N; Samimi S; Radanfer R; Shahrizi MM; Zarshenas MM (2024). Efficacy of castor oil cream in treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation: An exploratory single-arm clinical trial Journal of cosmetic dermatology 23 (3) :911-917.

[2] Archid R; Duerr HP; Patzelt A; Philipp S; Rowert-Huber HJ; Ulrich M; Meinke MC; Knorr F; Lademann J (2016). Relationship between Histological and Clinical Course of Psoriasis: A Pilot Investigation by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy during Goeckerman Treatment Skin pharmacology and physiology 29 (1) :47-54.

[3] Struss N; Badorrek P; Mattern C; Mattern U; Hohlfeld JM (2020). The Effect of a Thixotropic Nasal Gel on Nasal Symptoms and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis International archives of allergy and immunology 181 (5) :385-394.

[4] Damascelli B; Cantu G; Mattavelli F; Tamplenizza P; Bidoli P; Leo E; Dosio F; Cerrotta AM; Di Tolla G; Frigerio LF; Garbagnati F; Lanocita R; Marchiano A; Patelli G; Spreafico C; Ticha V; Vespro V; Zunino F (2001). Intraarterial chemotherapy with polyoxyethylated castor oil free paclitaxel, incorporated in albumin nanoparticles (ABI-007): Phase I study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and anal canal: preliminary evidence of clinical activity Cancer 92 (10) :2592-602.

[5] Gray M; Jones DP (2004). The effect of different formulations of equivalent active ingredients on the performance of two topical wound treatment products Ostomy/wound management 50 (3) :34-8, 40, 42-4.

[6] Syed TA; Lundin S; Ahmad SA (1994). Topical 0.3% and 0.5% podophyllotoxin cream for self-treatment of condylomata acuminata in women. A placebo-controlled, double-blind study Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 189 (2) :142-5.