Rate My SPF

Cetyl Ricinoleate

What Cetyl Ricinoleate is & what it does

Cetyl Ricinoleate is an ester formed from cetyl alcohol and ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid found in castor oil. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it acts as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent, giving products a smooth, soft feel and helping to soften and condition the skin surface. A notable property is its rich, cushiony texture, which makes it useful in balms, sticks, and color cosmetics.

What does Cetyl Ricinoleate do in skincare?

Cetyl Ricinoleate works as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. It gives creams, balms, and color cosmetics a smooth, soft texture and helps soften the skin surface. It is valued for the rich, cushiony feel it adds to a formula.

Is Cetyl Ricinoleate comedogenic?

Cetyl Ricinoleate is a fatty ester derived from castor oil components, and rich emollients like this are sometimes flagged as potentially pore-clogging for very acne-prone skin. Comedogenicity depends heavily on the overall formula and how much is used, and reported ratings vary. If you are prone to breakouts, it may help to patch test and watch how your skin responds.

Is Cetyl Ricinoleate vegan?

Cetyl Ricinoleate is typically made from plant-derived raw materials, since ricinoleic acid comes from castor oil and cetyl alcohol is commonly sourced from plants. This makes it generally compatible with vegan formulas. Confirming vegan status for a specific product still depends on the brand's sourcing and the rest of the ingredient list.

Sunscreens with Cetyl Ricinoleate

We rate 8 sunscreens that contain it:

← All ingredients