Brown spots are caused by localized hyperpigmentation of the skin and can sometimes be a source of insecurity for some individuals. Among the natural solutions often cited for eliminating pigmentation spots is castor oil. Can this vegetable oil truly fade brown spots? Let's explore this question together.
Castor oil to get rid of brown spots on the face?
Published on August 29, 2024, updated on October 4, 2024, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
Themes:
Can castor oil act against brown spots?
Brown spots, as their name suggests, are dark-colored patches that appear on the skin due to hyperpigmentation. This condition is characterized by an excessive stimulation of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin during the process of melanogenesis. Several factors can cause brown spots, including repeated and prolonged exposure to the sun, oxidative stress, or hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause...). Pigmented spots frequently appear around the age of forty, but they can also emerge earlier.
Even though pigmented spots pose no health risks, some individuals choose to eliminate them. Beyond laser treatments and dermatological peels, there are cosmetic ingredients capable of reducing hyperpigmentation. As for the castor oil, some scientific studies suggest that it might help lighten the skin. Notably, a recent clinical trial involving 22 individuals with pigmented dark circles can be cited. These volunteers applied a cream containing 10% castor oil to their dark circles twice a day for two months. At the end of the study, an average pigmentation improvement of 8.2% was measured, while no side effects were reported.
Castor oil appears to have the ability to somewhat diminish brown spots.
Scientists have hypothesized that castor oil could potentially inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme that facilitates the conversion of tyrosine into melanin during melanogenesis. This hypothesis was supported by an in vitro study conducted by another group of researchers. These scientists investigated the anti-tyrosinase activity of an aqueous extract of the castor plant. According to their findings, the aqueous extract was able to inhibit 88.98% of the tyrosinase activity of a fungus. However, the concentration that resulted in such inhibition was not disclosed. Moreover, the study was conducted on an aqueous extract of the castor plant, not on castor vegetable oil. Even though these two ingredients share similarities, they are not identical in every aspect. Therefore, while this study is a step towards elucidating the potential depigmenting properties of castor oil, further research is still necessary.
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The key takeaway:
Castor oil shows promising brightening potential for diminishing brown spots. However, only one clinical study has highlighted this property to date. For these results to be conclusively validated, it would be beneficial for additional research to be conducted.
Sources
KATSAMBAS A. & al. Hyperpigmentation and melasma. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2007).
KUMAR M. & al. A Review on Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Ricinus communis L. Plant. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research (2017).
KERAMATIAN B. & al. Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of Selected Plants Based on Iranian Traditional Medicine. International Pharmacy Acta (2022).
PARVIZI M. & al. Efficacy of castor oil cream in treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation: An exploratory single-arm clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023).
