Castor Oil vs. Miracle Facial Oil Ingredients: Which is Better for Your Skin?

This is Part 1 of our Series, Castor Oil vs the JUSTBLiSS Miracle Facial Oil.

When it comes to facial oils, not all oils are created equal. Many DIY enthusiasts swear by pure castor oil for skincare, but how does it stack up against a crafted blend like the JUSTBLiSS Miracle Facial Oil (which contains rosehip, prickly pear, pomegranate, hemp seed, camellia oils, and a hyaluronic acid serum base)? Below we’ll compare castor oil to each of these ingredients in terms of absorption, comedogenicity (pore-clogging potential), skin benefits, and suitability for different skin types. We’ll also bust some common myths about castor oil, including the belief that it penetrates deeper than other oils.

Castor Oil: Properties, Absorption, and Misconceptions

Composition & Texture: Castor oil is a thick, viscous oil pressed from castor beans, and it’s uniquely rich (about 85–95%) in ricinoleic acid, a rare fatty acid​ bareluxeskincare.com.

This composition gives castor oil potent anti-inflammatory properties and an almost waxy, occlusive feel on the skin. It’s an effective emollient and occlusive – meaning it can seal moisture into the skin by forming a protective layer. However, it is not a fast-absorbing oil; its thick consistency tends to sit on the surface longer than “dry” oils do​ drdavinlim.com. In fact, dermatologists note that castor oil is “not well absorbed” into the bloodstream through skin​ drdavinlim.com, implying it mostly works at the surface level to prevent water loss.

Comedogenic Rating: On paper, castor oil has a low comedogenic score (1 out of 5), meaning it’s unlikely to clog pores for most people​ drdavinlim.com. Because of this, it’s sometimes recommended even for oily or acne-prone skin​ eoil.co.za. In practice, though, dermatologists urge caution. Its heavy, slow-absorbing nature can potentially trap dead skin if overused. As Dr. Davin Lim (board-certified dermatologist) points out, “most dermatologists will err on the side of caution & advise patients with acne-prone or congested skin not to use castor oil” despite its low pore-clogging index​ rdavinlim.com. In other words, the oil itself isn’t highly comedogenic, but its occlusive, waxy film may aggravate breakouts in some individuals if it’s not combined with lighter ingredients​ drdavinlim.com

Skin Benefits: Castor oil does offer some benefits. Its ricinoleic acid is a known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent, which can help calm redness or minor irritations. It’s also deeply moisturizing for dry, flaky patches – historically, castor oil has been used as a remedy for dry skin, dermatitis, and even wound healing (it was nicknamed the “Hand of Christ” for its healing reputation in folk medicine)​ bareluxeskincare.com

As an occlusive, it can make the skin feel softer and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by locking in hydration. However, castor oil is a very “strong” oil: it’s so thick and “drawing” that it’s often used in cleansing methods to pull impurities. In fact, the popular Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) recommends never using castor oil alone but rather diluting it heavily with other carrier oils, because “castor oil can be drying” on its own​ acne.org. Users report that castor oil has an astringent effect – it can actually leave skin feeling a bit tight or dehydrated if not balanced with other oils, likely because it’s so effective at binding oil and debris​ acne.org. So while it can help cleanse pores and moisturize, too much castor oil may upset your skin’s oil balance.

Misconception – “Deep Penetration”: A widespread belief is that castor oil penetrates deeper into the skin than other oils, with some sources even claiming it’s the “only oil that can reach the dermis (second layer of skin)” drchelson.com. The truth is more nuanced. Castor oil (and ricinoleic acid) can act as a penetration enhancer – studies show it can help drive other compounds deeper by disrupting skin’s barrier slightly​ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. But this doesn’t mean castor oil’s own nutrients uniquely dive down to the dermis in a way other oils can’t. In fact, other fatty acids like oleic acid are also well-known penetration enhancers in skin care​ us.typology.com. No robust scientific evidence proves that castor oil penetrates significantly deeper than, say, rosehip or jojoba oil. Its polar structure (that extra hydroxyl group on ricinoleic acid) does allow castor oil to interact with the skin’s barrier, but mostly it helps the oil spread and “carry” ingredients, rather than itself nourishing your dermis. So while castor oil is a great carrier oil (even used to deliver active ingredients in some formulations), the idea that it alone reaches the deepest skin layers is largely a myth. As one cosmetic chemist puts it, without a special delivery system or “pack,” castor oil will act more like a surface emollient – you’ll get moisturizing effects, but not a miraculous penetration to cure all skin issues​ ndnr.com bareluxeskincare.com

Bottom Line on Castor Oil: It’s a powerful traditional oil with anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits, but it’s one-dimensional. Used alone on the face, it may be too heavy for many skin types in the long run. People with very dry, rough skin patches might love it, but those with acne-prone or sensitive skin should be careful – patch test and perhaps mix it with lighter oils​ valentia.com. Castor oil is best used as part of a blend (to dilute its intensity) or occasionally as a spot treatment. Modern dermatology tends to favor more complex formulations; even Dr. Lim quips that “in today’s age of affordable skin care with solid science, the use of castor oil as a do-it-all is less elevant” rdavinlim.com.

As we’ll see, oils like rosehip, hemp, and others bring additional nutrients and a lighter touch that make them more versatile for daily facial use.