By now we know that skin care is a marathon not a race, and we should be wary of any product that has huge claims. And yet, when TikTok influencer Vanilla Swirl went viral earlier this year in a video where she stated that combining castor oil with Vanicream’s iconic Moisturizing Cream was the key to her glowing, acne-free skin, I immediately bought the duo to test out. Her recipe is simple: Add one pump of the Vanicream moisturizer, dribble on a few drops of the Sky Organics Castor Oil, mix, and apply before bed.
For context, I have the unlucky combination of being acne-prone and dry, which means that my skin constantly craves thick, luscious creams, but breaks out immediately when I use them. In the past two years, I’ve been relegated to the gel cream section of skin care, mournfully watching my friends slather on heavy moisturizers. The idea that some extra oil could actually help my skin is groundbreaking–especially when the entire bundle costs less than $40.
I was not the only skeptic. For every comment under Vanilla Swirl’s video that raved about her routine, there was at least one naysayer who claimed that castor oil broke them out. Dr. Karan Lal, a double-board certified dermatologist, was also hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. “I think castor oil is fine for those that want a natural moisturizer and don’t have acne,” he tells Beautycon. For people who do suffer from breakouts, like me, Dr. Lal was a little more stern. “Using an oil with a thick emollient can lead to breakouts as oils do clog pores,” he says.
This warning aside, there is some anecdotal evidence that suggests that castor oil could potentially help with acne. “Castor oil is an anti-inflammatory oil that has multiple fatty acids that can help restore the skin barrier,” Dr. Lal adds. “It also has some weak antioxidant properties.” Still: “I don’t recommend castor oil for those with acne despite it having weak antimicrobial properties because acne is more complicated than just colonization with C.acnes. It is a disease of the sebaceous gland and oils can enter these glands and cause inflammation.” Vanicream’s Moisturizing Cream on its own is a great non-comedogenic moisturizer for acne-prone skin that many people swear by. With this information in my back pocket, and after going through my fourth or fifth tiny bottle of $44 moisturizer, I decided to take the plunge.
My first impression was that castor oil is a lot thicker than other oils I’ve tried in the past. And secondly, the smell is not for the uninitiated. Slightly earthy and definitely reminiscent of an ashtray, I could see why some people couldn’t stand the stench. After a few uses, though, I hardly notice the odor anymore. The combination definitely feels thick–it doesn’t dry down in a hurry either, but stays on the skin. While I personally love feeling slathered in oils, I can see why someone else would hate the texture.
It’s been about a month now of using this combination, and coincidentally or not, I haven’t had a single breakout since beginning. The breakouts I did have are healing, and there’s a lovely radiance to my skin for what feels like the first time in months. Not to mention, when I use Vanicream and castor oil under my makeup, it goes on perfectly– no dry patches ever, and my cream products blend like a dream. I could be imagining it, but I also have a feeling that my brows and lashes are looking a little more luscious, too, thanks to castor oil’s hair-growth properties. The best part? After a month of using these products twice a day, I’ve still barely made a dent in these jumbo-sized products.
These days, I’m slowly making my way through my Vanicream, occasionally adding in a few drops of castor oil when my skin feels particularly dry, or to use as a makeup primer. Whether or not this combination of products is the key to perfect skin remains to be seen, but all I can say is that it’s certainly not going to leave my routine any time soon.
