Castor (Ricinus Communis) Seed Oil

This oil is extracted from castor beans; although it contains some oleic and linoleic acids, the main (about 90%) fatty acid is ricinoleic acid, which has an extra OH group on its structure. Castor oil is thicker and glossier than other oils, it’s glossier, has special solubility (e.g. dissolves in alcohol but not in mineral oil), and it’s easily modified chemically. Applied to the skin, it decreases trans-epidermal water loss.