Castor Oil

A natural history

Castor oil is one of the most ancient beauty oils in the world. The Egyptians pressed it from the castor seed thousands of years ago and recorded its use in the Ebers papyrus, one of the oldest medical writings known, to soothe and protect the skin and eyes. Castor seeds have even been found tucked among the goods of Egyptian tombs, a beauty oil whose lineage reaches into the dawn of written history.

What sets it apart is its texture. Thick, glossy, and slow to absorb, castor oil is unusually rich in a rare fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, which lets it form a soft, conditioning film. That is why it has long been the go to for adding shine and softness, smoothed over dry skin, worked through hair, and brushed along lashes and brows to make them look fuller and glossier.

What it does for your skin

Castor oil owes its character to ricinoleic acid, which makes up the great majority of the oil and gives it its thick, film forming glossiness. A dermatology review describes castor oil as a widely used cosmetic emollient that spreads well and forms a lasting, protective film, conditioning the surface it sits on.^[1] Reviews of its chemistry confirm this unusually high ricinoleic acid content behind its conditioning feel.^[2] In a formula it softens dry skin and gives lashes, brows, and hair a fuller, glossier look. It conditions and coats rather than growing hair.

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