When you think of luxurious skincare and haircare ingredients, castor oil might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But I have a scoop for you: castor oil, with its numerous benefits, is a powerhouse ingredient just waiting to be unleashed.
Don’t let its humble appearance fool you—castor oil is a gem. Packed full of benefits, this botanical oil can elevate your cosmetic formulations from simply good to downright extraordinary. Intrigued? You should be.
In this post, we’ll dive into what makes castor oil such a trending ingredient in skincare, haircare, and make-up formulations. Prepare to be amazed by the exceptional properties and transformative power of this unassuming yet mighty oil. This is one you don’t want to miss.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family—the same family as the kukui nut. The seeds, often referred to as ‘beans’, are cold-pressed to extract the fatty oil.
Historically, castor oil has been a staple in traditional medicine and cosmetics, particularly in Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, where it has been cherished for centuries. Imagine holding a bottle of freshly pressed castor oil; it’s thick, golden, and has a slightly earthy scent—an aroma that whispers of its rich history.
Black castor oil vs. common castor oil
There’s a bit of mystique surrounding Jamaican black castor oil, and for good reason. Black castor oil isn’t just any oil- it’s a story in a bottle.
It all starts with the castor plant, which made its way from Africa to the sunny shores of Jamaica, where it found its home. It’s no wonder this oil has garnered so much attention—its very name evokes images of adventure and allure, like the flowing, glossy locks of a pirate on the high seas.
But here’s the real magic: while both Jamaican black castor oil and regular castor oil come from the same beans, their journeys couldn’t be more different.
Regular castor oil is straightforward—cold-pressed from raw beans, giving you a light, golden liquid. But Jamaican black castor oil? That’s where things get interesting. The beans are roasted, ground, and boiled, transforming them into a dark, rich oil that exudes depth and character.
Properties of castor oil
INCI: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
Imagine a bottle of liquid gold- that’s castor oil for you. With its pale, golden hue and thick, luxurious texture, castor oil is a must-have ingredient in your formulation cupboard. Let’s find out why.
Castor oil isn’t just any oil- it’s a powerhouse packed with up to 90% ricinoleic acid, the highest concentration found in any oil. This unique fatty acid is what gives castor oil its signature thickness and impressive stability.
But there’s more- ricinoleic acid has a little-known superpower: it makes the oil more polar, meaning it has a natural attraction to water. This boosts its cleansing abilities, making castor oil a star in the oil-cleansing method that’s taken the beauty world by storm. Learn how to make an oil cleanser below:
But that’s not all. Ricinoleic acid also turns castor oil into a rare gem among plant oils—a natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin. This property makes it perfect for creating rich, hydrating products, and it’s why castor oil is the secret ingredient behind red turkey oil, a classic in DIY bath oils that’s both water-soluble and nourishing.
And let’s not forget the other 10% of castor oil, a nourishing blend of linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids, plus a dash of phospholipids, phytosterols, and Vitamin E. These ingredients not only boost the skin’s health but also extend the oil’s shelf life with their natural antioxidant properties.
If you want to learn more about antioxidants and oil profiles, join our exclusive membership site, the Lab at Formula Botanica, for exclusive beauty content.
Skin & hair benefits of castor oil
Castor oil is the secret sauce that brings occlusive moisture, stunning shine, and a luxurious body to skincare, haircare, and make-up formulations. Want to find out more? Keep on reading!
Skincare magic
Castor oil might feel a bit heavy on the skin at first, but don’t let that hold you back. In small doses, it’s an absolute game-changer in face and body creams.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and impressive ability to lock in moisture, it’s a star ingredient in products designed to protect and nourish the skin.
Think rich winter balms that shield against the harsh cold or soothing after-sun care that calms and hydrates. Ready to create some skin-saving magic? Check out these free formulations:
Winter skincare formulation: oat & cranberry body balm
But wait, there’s more! Castor oil’s unique polar properties make it make it a superstar in facial cleansers. It acts like a magnet for dirt and impurities, dissolving makeup effortlessly and making it a breeze to rinse everything away with just a warm, damp cloth.
And if you’re dealing with blemishes, castor oil’s antimicrobial action makes it a gentle yet powerful ally for acne-prone skin.
Haircare hero
When it comes to haircare, castor oil is a true multi-tasker. It conditions and adds shine, and its antimicrobial action makes it perfect for scalp treatments. You might even have heard that it can boost hair and lash growth, but the science behind these claims is limited. So, why isn’t there more research?
Haircare doesn’t typically get the same attention as critical health issues, leading to fewer large-scale studies.
Much of what we know about castor oil comes from personal anecdotes rather than rigorous science. Despite this, its rich fatty acid content, especially ricinoleic acid, makes it a popular choice for deep conditioning.
Black castor oil is especially unique. The roasting process creates an alkaline ash that opens the hair cuticle, allowing the oil to penetrate deeply. To keep hair strong and shiny, it’s essential to close the cuticle afterwards, which you can do with a cool rinse or an acidic conditioner.
If you’re itching to start creating your own beautiful haircare products, don’t miss out—sign up to be notified when our Diploma in Organic Haircare Formulation opens for enrollment. Your haircare journey is about to get a whole lot more exciting!
Make-up marvel
When it comes to makeup, castor oil is the ultimate ingredient for creating kissable lip balms, vibrant lipsticks, silky lip oils, and shimmering lip glosses.
Yes, it has a bit of tackiness, but in the world of colour cosmetics, that’s actually a big win. It helps pigments stay put, so your look lasts all day long. Ready to craft some show-stopping lip formulations? These free formulations are a great place to start:
Easy 10-minute lip balm formulation
Formulate an Amazonian lip balm
How to formulate a berry-tinted lip balm
Formulating with castor oil
By now, I’m sure you’re eager to start experimenting with castor oil in your formulations. But before you get started, here are a few tips to ensure you get the most out of this versatile ingredient.
First off, castor oil can be used at concentrations up to 100%, but because of its thick texture and slow absorption, it’s often best to blend it with other oils. This not only balances the viscosity but also enhances the overall feel of your product. Here are some oil suggestions for you:
Castor oil also has great stability. It can handle higher temperatures like a champ, making it ideal for heated phases in your formulations. It is also very stable and has a long shelf life – plus, its iodine value is on the lower side so it can be heated to fairly high temperatures without degrading.
Whether you’re whipping up a luxurious lip oil, a deeply nourishing hair mask, or a gentle cleansing oil, castor oil’s adaptability is unmatched.
Top 3 castor oil formulations
Golden Lip Oil
This is where castor oil truly shines—literally! A few drops of this thick, glossy oil mixed with lighter oils and a touch of shimmer create a luxe lip oil that hydrates and enhances the lips with a natural shine.
Camellia Cleansing Oil
This is next-gen oil cleaning. Paired with camellia oil and an emulsifier, this formula transforms from an oil to a milky cleanser upon contact with water, leaving the skin clean and soft.
Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Combine the nourishing power of castor oil with rich butters and other oils in this formulation. Formulate a deep conditioning hair mask that penetrates deeply, thanks to the cuticle-opening effects of black castor oil.
Why formulate with castor oil
Castor oil is more than just an ingredient. It’s a formulator’s secret weapon for creating products that offer exceptional shine, moisture, and protection.
Whether you’re formulating for skin, hair, or colour cosmetics, castor oil improves every formulation it touches. So next time you’re in your home lab, consider reaching for that bottle of castor oil. It might just be the magic ingredient your formulation needs.
Happy formulating, and remember—the lab at Formula Botanica is always open for your next creative adventure!
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Shauna is a copywriter and content creator at Formula Botanica. Her love of beauty began with creating a make-your-own cosmetics kit for kids. A former aesthetician, Shauna is also an active formulator and perfumer, and a member of the Formula Botanica community.
