Castor Oil
INCI: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
Reviewed by Kate · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ricinus communis
Plant-derived skin care ingredient Used as an emollient which helps decrease water loss
EWG Safety Score
What Is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is a plant-derived skin care ingredient used as an emollient in formulas. It’s derived from the castor bean whose main fatty acid is ricinoleic acid.
Castor oil’s a unique emollient in that when dry, it forms a solid film that can have water-binding properties. Castor oil can also enhance the absorption of other cosmetic ingredients.
This ingredient’s rarely associated with skin sensitivity, but can have a slightly sticky feel on skin. Castor oil may also show up on an ingredient label by its Latin name, Ricinus communis.
Despite what you may have heard or read online, there is no substantiated research to prove that castor oil can stimulate hair growth.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Castor oil: Properties and applications Int J Toxicol, 2007
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Castor oil as a skin moisturizer Int J Mol Sci, 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
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Castor Oil is a variant of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.
Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil is a vegetable oil
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Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
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