Castor oil is a thick, glossy oil pressed from the seeds of the castor plant. On labels it reads Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil. Famous for hair, lashes, and brows, it’s a heavy humectant oil that draws in moisture and forms a rich, protective shine.
What It Is
Castor oil is cold-pressed from castor beans and is unusually high in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that gives it a thick, sticky texture and a mild conditioning, humectant quality (it helps attract and hold moisture). It’s low on the comedogenic scale (1/5) but very heavy, so it’s almost always blended with lighter oils. Look for cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil for cosmetic use.
- Loved for hair, lashes & brows — a traditional conditioning treatment
- Humectant — helps draw and lock in moisture
- Glossy finish — adds shine to hair and lip products
- Great for cleansing — a key oil in the oil-cleansing method
- Low comedogenic (1/5) — pore-friendly when blended
- Very thick & sticky — blend with lighter oils so it spreads
- Not for casual internal use — swallowing it is a strong laxative; keep it topical
- Keep away from eyes — apply to lashes carefully, avoiding the eye itself
Best Uses in DIY
Castor oil shines in beard balms, hair and scalp blends, lash and brow serums, and oil-cleansing mixes. Because it’s so thick, cut it with coconut oil, jojoba, or argan — a common blend is about 1 part castor to 3 parts lighter oil.
💆 Recommended: Heritage Store Organic Castor Oil
A cold-pressed, hexane-free organic castor oil in a glass bottle — a trusted classic for hair, lashes, brows, and nourishing DIY blends.
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Quick Facts
- INCI name: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
- Category: Carrier oil (thick / humectant)
- Comedogenic rating: 1 out of 5 (low)
- Key fatty acid: Ricinoleic acid
- Best for: hair, lashes & brows, beard balm, oil cleansing
This is general information, not medical advice. Patch test new ingredients, and see a professional for skin concerns.
👉 Explore more: Beard balm recipe · Coconut oil for eyelashes · Jojoba oil
