Castor Oil

The Basics On Castor Oil

What is Castor Oil?

Vegetable oil derived from the castor bean.

What are other names for Castor Oil?

CASTER OIL, CASTOR OIL, CASTOR OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS L.), CASTOR OIL; VEGETABLE OIL, CASTOR SEED OIL, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, RICINUS COMMUNIS OIL, and RICINUS COMMUNIS(CASTOR)

What is Castor Oil used for?

Castor oil remains a popular natural treatment for common conditions like constipation and skin ailments and is used in many natural beauty products. There appears to be limited scientific research on the benefits of castor seed oil or Ricinoleic Acid in treatments for skincare. One study suggested that Castor oil and Ricinoleic Acid can enhance the transdermal penetration of other chemicals1. Castor oil and glycerol ricinoleate were found to absorb UV light with a maximum absorbance of 270nm1.

How Castor Oil is classified

Plant Extracts, Emollients

Recommendations for using Castor Oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Castor Oil During Pregnancy

What we know about using Castor Oil while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

Female rats injected with castor oil after estus had anti-implantation and abortive effects. An extract is also found to have anti-implantation, anti-conceptive and estrogenic effects in rats and mice. Potassium C9-15 alkyl phosphate was not embryotoxic, feto­toxic, or teratogenic in rats dosed by gavage on days 6 to 15 of gestation; the NOELs for developmental toxicity, embryotoxi­city, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity were 361 mg/kg bw/d (active ingredient [a.i.]), and the NOEL and NOAEL for mater­nal toxicity were 36.1 and 361 mg/kg bw/d (a.i.), respectively (Table 7).22 For C20-22 alkyl phosphate, the NOELs for repro­duction (mating and fertility) and neonatal toxicity, and the NOAEL for parental toxicity, were 1000 mg/kg bw/d in rats.20 Oley! phosphate also was not a reproductive toxicant in rats; in a gavage study, the NOAELs were 1000 mg/kg bw/d for mater­nal toxicity, reproductive perfonnance in male and female rats, and development in F1 offspring.21 In a reproductive study with sodium lauryl phosphate in rats, the NOAEL for parental male and female animals and the NOEL for the F I generation were 1000 mg/kg bw/d.

General safety info about Castor Oil from CIR

The Expert Panel assessed the safety of 28 alkyl phosphates and concluded that these ingredients are safe in the current practices of use and concentration when formulated to be nonirritating. The ingredients in the alkyl phosphate family share a common phosphate core structure, and vary by the identity of the alkyl chains attached therein. Most of the alkyl phosphates function as surfactants in cosmetic ingredients; however, the triesters function as plasticizers rather than surfactants. The Panel reviewed the available animal and clinical data to determine the safety of these ingredients.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Castor Oil

Briogeo B. Well Cold-Pressed Organic Castor Oil; only 1 product listed; Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Hot Oil Concentrate; Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Hot Oil Concentrate – Single Dose; Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil