When you think of luxury skin and hair care ingredients, castor oil may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But I have a scoop for you: castor oil, with its numerous benefits, is a powerful ingredient 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 merely good to downright extraordinary. Are you interested? You should be.
In this post, we’ll take a look at what makes castor oil such a popular ingredient in skin care, hair care and makeup formulations. Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary properties and transformative power of this unassuming yet powerful oil. This is one you don’t want to miss.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil comes from its seeds Ricinus communis plant, member of Euphorbiaceae family—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 revered for centuries. Imagine holding a bottle of freshly ground castor oil. it’s thick, golden, and has a slightly earthy aroma—one that whispers its rich history.
Black castor oil vs common castor oil
There is a bit of secrecy surrounding Jamaican black castor oil, and for good reason. Black castor oil is not 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 conjures up images of adventure and glamour, 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 simple — 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, turning 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 soft, golden hue and thick, luxurious texture, castor oil is a makeup cabinet essential. 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 characteristic 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 enhances its cleansing abilities, making castor oil a star in the oil cleansing method that has taken the beauty world by storm. Learn how to make an oil cleanser below:
How to make a camellia cleansing oil
But that’s not all. Castor oil also turns castor oil into a rare gem among vegetable oils—a natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin. This property makes it perfect for creating rich, moisturizing products, which is why castor oil is the secret ingredient behind Turkey Red Oil, a classic DIY bath oil that’s both water-soluble and nourishing.
And let’s not forget the other 10% castor oil, a nutritious blend of linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids, plus a dose of phospholipids, phytosterols, and vitamin E. These ingredients not only boost skin health, but also extend lifespan of the oil with their natural antioxidant properties.
If you want to learn more about antioxidants and oil profiles, join our members-only site, the Lab at Formula Botanica, for exclusive beauty content.
The benefits of castor oil for skin and hair
Castor oil is the secret sauce that brings occlusive moisture, amazing shine and luxurious body to your skin care, hair care and makeup formulas. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
Skin care magic
Castor oil can feel a little heavy on the skin at first, but don’t let that hold you back. In small doses, it is a complete game changer in face and body creams.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and impressive ability to lock in moisture, it is a key ingredient in products designed to protect and nourish the skin.
Think rich winter balms that protect against the bitter cold or soothing after-sun care that soothes and hydrates. Ready to create some skin-saving magic? Check out these free compositions:
Winter skin care formula: oat & cranberry body balm
How to make an after sun body oil
How to make a soothing after sun cream
But wait, there’s more! Castor oil’s unique polar properties make it a superstar in facial cleansers. It acts like a magnet for dirt and grime, dissolving makeup effortlessly and making it a breeze to wash everything off with a warm, damp cloth.
And if you’re dealing with blemishes, castor oil’s antimicrobial action makes it a gentle but powerful ally for acne-prone skin.
Hair care hero
When it comes to hair care, castor oil is a true multi-tasker. It conditions and adds shine and its antimicrobial action makes it ideal for scalp treatments. You may even have heard that it can boost hair and eyelash growth, but the science behind these claims is limited. So why isn’t there more research?
Hair care usually does not receive 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. However, its rich fatty acid content, particularly ricinoleic acid, makes it a popular choice for deep conditioning.
Black castor oil is particularly unique. The baking process creates an alkaline ash that opens the cuticle of the hair, allowing the oil to penetrate deeply. To keep hair strong and shiny, it’s essential to seal the cuticle afterwards, which you can do with a cool rinse or acidic conditioner.
If you’re itching to start creating your own beautiful hair care products, don’t miss out—sign up to be notified when the Diploma in Organic Haircare Formulation opens for enrollment. Your hair care journey is about to get a lot more exciting!
Miracle makeup
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 stickiness, but in the world of color cosmetics, this is actually a big win. It helps pigments stay put so your look lasts all day. Ready to whip up some show-stopping lip formulas? These free recipes are a great place to start:
Easy composition of lip balm lasting 10 minutes
Formulate an Amazonian lip balm
How to make a berry tinted lip balm
How to make a golden lip oil
How to make a delicious lip serum
Composition 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 some tips to ensure you get the most out of this versatile ingredient.
First of all, castor oil can be used in concentrations up to 100%, but due to its thick texture and slow absorption, it is often better to mix 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:
The Top 10 Botanical Oils Every Brewer Needs
The 10 Best Zero Waste Oils for Skin and Hair Care
Castor oil also has great stability. It can handle higher temperatures like a champ, making it ideal for heated phases in your compositions. It’s also very stable and has a long shelf life – plus, its iodine value is on the low side so it can be heated to fairly high temperatures without deteriorating.
Whether you’re whipping up a luxurious lip oil, a deeply nourishing hair mask, or a gentle cleansing oil, castor oil’s versatility is unparalleled.
Top 3 Castor Oil Formulations
Golden Lip Oil
How to make a golden lip oil
This is where castor oil really shines – literally! A few drops of this thick, glossy oil mixed with lighter oils and a touch of gloss create a luxurious lip oil that hydrates and enhances lips with a natural shine.
Camellia Cleansing Oil
How to make a camellia cleansing oil
This is next generation oil purification. Combined with camellia oil and an emulsifier, this formula transforms from an oil into a milky cleanser on contact with water, leaving skin clean and soft.
Deep conditioning hair mask
How to make a deep conditioning babassu hair mask
Combine the nourishing power of castor oil with rich butters and other oils in this formulation. Make a deep conditioning hair mask that penetrates deeply, thanks to the skin-opening effects of black castor oil.
Why make up with castor oil?
Castor oil is more than just an ingredient. It’s a formular’s secret weapon for creating products that deliver exceptional shine, moisture and protection.
Whether you’re making skin, hair or color cosmetics, castor oil enhances every formulation it touches. So the next time you’re in your home lab, consider grabbing that bottle of castor oil. It could be just the magic ingredient your recipe needs.
Happy composing 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 for beauty began with the creation of a cosmetic kit for children. A former beautician, Shauna is also an active formulator and perfumer and member of the Formula Botanica community.
