Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis Seed Oil) is extracted from the castor bean plant. It is a thick, viscous liquid with a slight distinctive smell. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids. It is very soothing and lubricating to the skin. It acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin. It is used in hair oils, balms, and other thick emulsions for the skin and hair. The fatty acids of castor oil are ricinoleic, stearic, linoleic, and dehydroxysteric acids which make it an excellent lubricating oil for dry and chapped skin. Other actions are the dissolving of cysts and prevention of scars. Hair will be strengthened and conditioned.
Castor Oil is ideally suited for use within hair oils, balms, and other thick emulsions intended for the skin and hair.
In combination with other oils and as a superfatting agent, Castor Oil lends emolliency to soap formulations.