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Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

What Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is & what it does

A thick, glossy oil high in ricinoleic acid that conditions and adds shine and slip, common in lip and balm formulas. It is occlusive and humectant-like, sealing moisture in.

What is Ricinus Communis Seed Oil and what does it do in sunscreen?

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is castor oil, a thick, glossy plant oil high in ricinoleic acid. In a sunscreen it conditions the skin and adds shine and slip, and it is especially common in sticks, balms and lip products where that glossy, cushiony feel is wanted. It is occlusive, meaning it seals moisture in by forming a film on the surface.

What else is Ricinus Communis Seed Oil called?

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI (Latin) name for castor oil. On a label you may see either form, and sometimes Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil with the common name in brackets. It is the same pressed seed oil in each case.

Is Ricinus Communis Seed Oil safe?

Yes. Castor oil has a long history of use in cosmetics and is well tolerated as used on skin and lips. It is a plant oil applied to the surface, not a reactive active, so for most people it is gentle. Anyone with a known sensitivity to castor oil should of course avoid it.

Does Ricinus Communis Seed Oil clog pores?

Generally no for most skin types. Castor oil is not flagged as comedogenic in our data, though it is a rich, occlusive oil, so very oily or acne-prone skin can find it heavy. How it behaves depends a lot on how much is used and what it is blended with. If you break out easily, patch testing a balm or stick that contains it is sensible.

Is Ricinus Communis Seed Oil fungal-acne safe?

For most people it is fine, but those prone to fungal acne may prefer to avoid it. As a fatty plant oil, castor oil contains the kind of lipids that the malassezia yeast behind fungal acne can potentially feed on, which is why it sits on feeder lists. This is one specific skin concern, not a general safety issue, so it is only worth avoiding if you personally react to fungal-acne triggers.

Is Ricinus Communis Seed Oil natural?

Yes. It is a natural oil pressed from the seeds of the castor plant, Ricinus communis. It is a common choice in plant-based and vegan formulas. Cosmetic-grade castor oil is refined for purity, but it remains a genuine botanical oil.

Sunscreens with Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

We rate 126 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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