It’s thick, golden, and glides on like silk. Castor oil, yes, the ancient elixir once used by queens and healers, is having a very modern comeback. It’s being embraced in rituals of closeness, care, and sensuality. And at Noén, it’s a hero ingredient in our Afterplay Oil.
A Legacy of Love and Healing
Long before it became the darling of beauty editors and wellness TikTok, castor oil was revered by entire civilizations.
In Ancient Egypt, castor oil was considered sacred. Cleopatra herself is believed to have used it to soften her skin and illuminate her eyes. It was treasured for both its medicinal and cosmetic properties, even placed in tombs to accompany the dead into the afterlife.
In Ancient Greece, castor oil appeared in the texts of Hippocrates, who praised its healing properties. It was used to soothe inflammation, calm the body, and restore balance, both internally and externally. A treatment for everything from skin rashes to labor induction. Physicians believed in its ability to “draw out” impurities from the body, a principle that modern lymphatic massage and detox rituals still echo today.
In other words: castor oil has always been about healing, connection, and care. It’s not just a beauty ingredient - it’s a cultural artifact of touch, trust, and time.
Why Castor Oil Is Different (and Deserves a Place on Your Nightstand)
Modern oils often fall into two categories: too thin to be effective, or too greasy to feel sensual. Castor oil is neither. It hugs the skin without suffocating it. It stays where it's meant to, absorbing slowly, deeply, and intentionally.
That’s because of its unique texture and molecular weight. Rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil acts as a natural emollient. It locks in moisture, soothes irritation, and supports the skin barrier, especially in delicate areas that may feel a little sore, tender, or overstimulated after intimacy.
We chose it as the base of our Afterplay Oil because it’s not messy. It’s grounding. It creates a cocoon for the skin, sealing in hydration without slipping off sheets or leaving behind stickiness. It's intimacy without the cleanup. Sensuality without the fuss.
Because Healing Happens in the Moment After
There’s something sacred about the moments after. The quiet. The closeness. The instinct to care for each other, to linger just a little longer.
Castor oil invites that.
It encourages slowness, presence, and physical connection. When applied with intention, massaged into thighs, hips, or the belly, it can soothe more than skin. It can calm the nervous system, ease tension, and signal to the body that it’s safe, held, and loved.
That’s why we built our formulation around it.
Because Afterplay is more than a product. It’s a ritual. One rooted in ancient wisdom, modern intimacy, and the kind of care that lives in the body long after the moment ends.
