Castor Oil

At ORY^®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about castor oil. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.

How to read this page

Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews.

Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY^® uses.

Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly.

1. General Description and Role

Claim: Castor oil is pressed from the seeds of Ricinus communis. About 90% of its fatty acids are ricinoleic acid, which makes it thick and glossy. In ORY^® products, it adds shine and slip, helps protect lips and hair ends, and boosts lather in soap.

Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel found castor seed oil safe in the practices of use and concentrations described, and reaffirmed this in 2025. The toxin ricin stays in the seed cake and is not present in properly processed oil.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: CIR safety assessment of castor oil.

2. Composition and Production

Claim: Castor oil is cold-pressed from the seeds and filtered. It is about 85–95% ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid with an extra hydroxyl group that makes the oil thick and helps it hold moisture.

Verification: Supported. Its fatty-acid profile is well documented.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Describes composition and processing.

3. Skin Type Suitability

Claim: Castor oil suits most skin types when blended. It is used mainly in lip, cuticle, and oil-cleansing products.

Verification: Supported. CIR found castor oil safe as used. In an animal comedogenicity test, castor oil scored low.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Safety data.
- Fulton, J. E. (1989). Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, 40(6), 321–333. https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/4864275
  - What it shows: Animal comedogenicity test.

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

Claim: In haircare, castor oil adds shine, helps seal ends, and helps hair feel conditioned.

Verification: Limited evidence. Castor oil is widely used as a hair oil, but we found no controlled studies showing that it grows hair, eyelashes, or brows. Hair-growth claims are drug claims, and ORY^® does not make them.

Citations:

- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 310.527 — Drug products offered over-the-counter for external use as hair growers or for hair loss prevention. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/310.527
  - What it shows: FDA treats hair-growth products as drugs.

5. Benefits

Claim: Castor oil gives products gloss and slip, helps lips and hair ends feel protected, and adds lather to soap.

Verification: Supported, with caveats. In animals, pure ricinoleic acid applied repeatedly reduced skin swelling, although a single application increased it. That study used ricinoleic acid, not castor oil, and ORY^® does not make anti-inflammatory claims.

Citations:

- Vieira, C., Evangelista, S., Cirillo, R., Lippi, A., Maggi, C. A., & Manzini, S. (2000). Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators of Inflammation, 9(5), 223–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/09629350020025737
  - What it shows: Animal study of ricinoleic acid.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Describes cosmetic functions.

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines

Claim: Castor Oil is used in all four ORY^® product lines.

Verification: Supported. ORY^® uses certified cosmetic-grade, ricin-free castor oil. In soap it is kept to 5–10% of oils.

Product line	Typical level	How ORY^® uses it
Skincare	5–30%	Oil-cleansing blends and lip and cuticle balms.
Haircare	10–30% in blends	Sealing oils, ends balms, and edge products.
Handmade Soap	5–10% of oils	Lather booster.
Cosmetics	10–50% in lip products	Lipsticks, glosses, mascaras, and brow gels.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Reported uses.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
  - What it shows: FDA explains how soap is regulated.

7. Pros

Claim: A glossy, stable oil with a long CIR safety record.

Verification: Supported. Well documented composition and long cosmetic use.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Safety conclusion.

8. Cons

Claim: Castor oil is very thick, can tangle hair if overused, and its hair-growth reputation is not proven.

Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:

- Very thick. Must be blended.
- No growth evidence. For hair, lashes, or brows.
- Tangling. Heavy use can mat some hair.
- Soap. Above about 10% makes soft, sticky bars.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Composition.

9. Safety Notes

Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only.

Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:

- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Keep away from the eyes, even in lash and brow products.
- Store away from heat and light, and discard if it smells rancid.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
  - What it shows: Safety assessment.

10. Product-line notes

- ORY^® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY^® Haircare: Designed for scalp comfort and the look and feel of hair. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you notice sudden shedding or a persistent itchy, flaking scalp, see a dermatologist.
- ORY^® Handmade Soap: Handmade soap is naturally alkaline, and each bar may vary slightly in color, scent, and texture. Not intended to treat eczema or any skin condition.
- ORY^® Cosmetics: Lip products are not intended to treat or protect chapped or cracked lips. Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.

11. References

Peer-reviewed research

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2007). Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, … and octyldodecyl ricinoleate. International Journal of Toxicology, 26(Suppl 3), 31–77 (reaffirmed in 2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810701663150
- Fulton, J. E. (1989). Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, 40(6), 321–333. https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/4864275
- Vieira, C., Evangelista, S., Cirillo, R., Lippi, A., Maggi, C. A., & Manzini, S. (2000). Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators of Inflammation, 9(5), 223–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/09629350020025737

Government and regulatory sources

- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 310.527 — Drug products offered over-the-counter for external use as hair growers or for hair loss prevention. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/310.527
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap

1. General Description and Role

2. Composition and Production

3. Skin Type Suitability

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

5. Benefits

6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines

7. Pros

8. Cons

9. Safety Notes

10. Product-line notes

11. References

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines